Windows XP Memory problem: detecting only 224MB from 256MB installed

Okay... I'm not much for computers so i dont kwo what kind of info is needed here...

I have a computer with a 256 ram card... but my computer is reading it as 224 ram... and as a result i cant run applications that have a minimum requirement of 256... anyone know a way i can at least get the computer to recognise that its a 256?


(thats a screen of my 'system' showing that the computer is reading the physical memory as 224...)

 

Welcome to the board Lanz . Could you tell us what brand & model of computer ya got? Has this been on going prob or just noticed a reccent diff? Have you ever gone into the bios? If you know what type & speed of mamory you have? A manual prolly came with it other wise we can find it on the web with above info.

 

well... depends on what you define as new... i've had the computer for probably just over 2 years now and i first noticed this about 3-4 months ago...

I dont know really where to find the info outside of whats on that image... and i didnt get a manual with the computer, it was built for me... and no, i've never been into the bios... not that i can remember anyways... if you can tell me where i would find the brand, model, memory speed/type, i'll get to it.

 

Hmmm.......a home built, eh? Mine is too, built lots of them. What is the operating system? win98 or winxp

 

Xp

 

http://www.belarc.com/ba5.html?B
This appy tells you all about your computer. Lets see what space you have by opening MY Computer then rite clik the "C" drive & select properties. This tells us the total space used & total free space. If you are about outa free space you are in real trouble. You should clik on disk cleanup button & put checkmarks in empty recycle bin, temporary internet files, temporary files & old log files. Make a note of the KB the temp files are!
BTW..I'm running an AMD 64 3200+ chip w/256 memory & a 36gig raptor 10k hard drive, awesome

 

I just reformatted the computer a few days ago so its mostly empty... its got 8.44mb taken up and 28.8mb remaining... total is like 37.5mb but i was told that that was normal for a computer and it wouldnt show my full 40mb drive...

I dont knwo exactly what you'd need... so i just copied the whole thing...

Operating System System Model
Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1 (build 2600) No details available
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
1.80 gigahertz AMD Athlon XP
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: K7VM2 2.00
Bus Clock: 133 megahertz
BIOS: American Megatrends Inc. P1.30 12/13/2002
Drives Memory Modules c,d
40.05 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
30.98 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

HL-DT-ST CD-ROM GCR-8520B
HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8320B [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]

SAMSUNG SP4002H [Hard drive] (40.06 GB) -- drive 0, s/n 0487J1FW417983, rev QU100-60, SMART Status: Healthy 224 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot '0' has 256 MB
Slot '1' is Empty
Slot '2' is Empty
Slot '3' is Empty
Local Drive Volumes

c: (on drive 0) 40.05 GB 30.98 GB free

Network Drives
None detected
Users Printers
local user accounts last logon
Lanz 9/14/2004 10:54:39 PM (admin)
local system accounts
Administrator never (admin)
Guest never
HelpAssistant never
SUPPORT_388945a0 never


Marks a disabled account; Marks a locked account None detected
Controllers Display
Standard floppy disk controller
Primary IDE Channel [Controller]
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller]
VIA Bus Master IDE Controller S3 Graphics ProSavageDDR [Display adapter]
Samsung SyncMaster [Monitor] (15.7 "vis, s/n HVDW206439, February 2003)
Bus Adapters Multimedia
Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller
VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller
VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller
VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller MPU-401 Compatible MIDI Device
Standard Game Port
VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller (WDM)
Communications Other Devices
VIA Compatable Fast Ethernet Adapter
Network Card MAC Address: 00:0B:6A:0C:31:06
Network IP Address: 192.168.1.10 / 24 Built-in Infrared Device
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
PS/2 Compatible Mouse
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub

 

memory

I'm thinking incompatable memory or a setting in the bios is off a notch. http://www.simmtester.com/page/products/doc/docinfo.asp
Registration is free, then download the memory tester.
Since ya just re-did the hard drive I can't imagine ya having any probs loading appy's? Have ya defraged? I'm hanging it up for the nite 10:30pm here. maz tarde

 

Sounds like you might have a defective RAM stick.

Boot up into your BIOS and see what the BIOS reports.

Also you could download this utility and test it - if it's faulty, you could probably return it to the vendor and have them replace it (depending on what their product guarantee is).

http://www.memtest86.com/

 

Hi

Just my opinion but I have to agree with pete maybe shared memory for video???? i HAVE 512 MEGS and a shared video of 16 megs

~FIREDANCER~

Heh.. not the best video card either LOL

 

Pete is right on the money - I'm surprised with some of the other comments I read here.

 

You all are making it to hard it was so simple. Just listen to pete, he knows what he is saying.

Good job Pete

 

I go with Pete too.

I had the same thing. ( as far as RAM reading anyway )

I find it amazing how much better this machine runs since I stopped using both onboard Audio and Video. I think I gained app 40-50 meg of RAM.

BillyBob