Win7 32bit 6Gb ram is installed but only 2 gb is available

[Hrtguy]

I have 3 DDR3 ram all with 2048mb. They all are the same brand and have the same frequency. When I go to resource manager it says I only have 2048 mb of ram but inside my computer I have 3 sticks of ram with all 2048 mob. The only software on my computer that says I do have 6 gb of ram is CPU-Z. The channel on my ram is dual. I'm not that good at ram so any help would be nice. Thanks

 

[mjslakeridge]

The maximum amount of ram that can be used on Windows 7 32 bit is 4GB. Some of that will be reserved for hardware, so you should have maybe 3.2 GB usable. Remove one of the ram sticks. Refer to your motherboard manual to see what slots to use for dual channel operation.

 

[dextermat]

Hi,

If you don't plan on going to a 64 bit os, I suggest this free software to make up for the wasted memory
Ram disk will use the waste memory for pagefile and temps file witch make system go a bit faster

See instruction here.

http://www.romexsoftware.com/en-us/vsuite-ramdisk/support/how-to-use-4g-ram.html

 

[photonboy]

The maximum amount of ram that can be used on Windows 7 32 bit is 4GB. Some of that will be reserved for hardware, so you should have maybe 3.2 GB usable. Remove one of the ram sticks. Refer to your motherboard manual to see what slots to use for dual channel operation.

Not quite.

The "Memory Map" supports a total of 4GB however that also includes the VIDEO MEMORY as well as system memory. If he had a 1GB video card he'd be down to about 2.8GB usable of the system memory. If he had a 2GB video card he'd be down to about 1.8GB usable memory.

Solution:
1. Upgrade to Windows 10 32-bit, then
2. Do a CLEAN INSTALL using a created Windows 10 64-bit Install image

That's the order and it works.

Can get images from here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install

Obviously you'll lose your data.

Other: You're running in SINGLE CHANNEL mode likely with three sticks... may not make a huge difference to go dual channel depending on what CPU you have though.

If you game and have a reasonably good CPU you might want to get a 2x4GB kit if supported instead.

 

[Hrtguy]

Hi I will try all of your suggestions and I will let you know if they work. About the windows 10 one. Can I just go to Windows 8? Preferably I don't want to go to Windows 10.

 

[Tradesman1]

What mobo and CPU?

 

[lovingnatureguy]

Upgrade your OS to 64Bit for use full installed ram or extra ram.

 

[photonboy]

Hi I will try all of your suggestions and I will let you know if they work. About the windows 10 one. Can I just go to Windows 8? Preferably I don't want to go to Windows 10.

No.
Not unless you buy a copy of Windows 8 64-bit.

The UPGRADE path gives you a free license to W10 32/64-bit so you can upgrade from W7 32-bit to W10 32-bit then do a clean install to W10 64-bit.

Windows 10 may have a few issues but they're being sorted out. Those issues aside it's BETTER than W7 or W8 so I don't recommend either of those now.

Other:
*Apparently there might be a way to go directly to the CLEAN INSTALL of W10 64-bit in November 2015. I'm still a little confused on that:
http://www.zdnet.com/article/next-big-windows-10-release-will-ease-activation-hassles/

 

[Hrtguy]

Sorry for not responding. I updated to windows 7 ultimate 64 bit and it gave me full 4gb ram. dont know were the other 2 gb is but now i can atleast play more games. I am also building a new pc rig so I hope I can get to do that.