Strange memory issue with Compaq PC

Hi,

My Dad has a Compaq Presario model SR1403WM computer. When I go to Control Panel, System, it says there is 192MB of RAM installed. If I go into the BIOS, it says there is 256MB RAM installed. Why the discrepancy? I was going to install some software that requires a minimum of 256MB of RAM but I'm not sure if I need to add some or not.

Any ideas why it lists different amounts?

Thanks!

 

The video adapter is using shared memory from the system board.

 

64MB of RAM used in the Graphics system. My Control Panel, System lists 704MB of RAM. Add the 64MB of RAM used by Graphics and I Have 768MB of RAM installed, which is a correct total. I know , because I installed the 512MB of RAM to the 256MB of RAM it came with. Dad does not have 256MB of RAM to use. I would recomend you add at least 512MB of RAM, because 256MB of RAM is not nearly enough for Windows XP.

 

Thank you for the replies, that makes sense. I will be adding more memory to the PC.

Thanks again!

JD