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Windows 7 64-bit: 2.99GB usable RAM

Discussion in 'Windows OS' started by nismo91, Oct 4, 2011.

  1. nismo91 TechSpot Guru

    hey all, i've just downloaded windows 7 64-bit SP1 pro from MSDNAA and i just tried clean installing WIndows 7 64-bit Pro into my 3yo laptop with the following spec:

    Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.40)
    4GB DDR2-667 RAM
    nVidia 9600M GT 512MB GDDR3
    320GB 5400RPM HDD

    and i only have '2.99GB usable' RAM in the computer properties and task manager. the laptop motherboard only support max 4GB of RAM, and i heard this might be the cause of the problem.

    so basically im asking for your opinions, should i return back to 32-bit? since it shows exactly same amount of RAM in the windows itself. or is there any 'hacks' that allows me to use those extra gig of RAM?
    nismo91, Oct 4, 2011
    #1

  2. Norbur Newcomer, in training

    A quick Google search netted me this:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...b-usable/da2de76c-0c9c-40a5-af9e-e1b0e804e4eb

    Particularly the first answer, with the most striking quote:

    "In order to expose the entire 4GB RAM to the OS, the system hardware must actually support MORE THAN 4GB address space and implement a feature called memory remapping or memory hoisting."

    Going by that logic, you might be out of luck since your motherboard only supports up to 4GB. You could return to 32 bit if you like, but unless you're having software compatibility issues I'd just stay put if it was me.

    Hope this helps.
    Norbur, Oct 4, 2011
    #2

  3. Mictlantecuhtli TS Special Forces

    You could check if the BIOS has options for memory remapping.
    Mictlantecuhtli, Oct 4, 2011
    #3

  4. Arris TechSpot Evangelist

    I would have guessed that the memory might be used by the graphics card but nVidia 9600M has its on ram so shouldn't be the case. I'd do a little bit of research and see if your laptop model has some feature that reserves ram for use which is disallowing the use of all the ram by Win7 64bit.
    Arris, Oct 4, 2011
    #4

  5. nismo91 TechSpot Guru

    thanks for the replies, after some more googling with my laptop model number, i found out that i might need to update the BIOS. the problem is when i tried to do so the .exe returns an WDM not found error. I assume this is because i'm running win7.

    i checked the BIOS and it doesn't have memory remapping option. someone claims that he can get this laptop to show 4GB in the task manager.

    yes, the 9600M GT has 'turbocache' feature but i can't figure out how to disable it. in dxdiag RAM shows 4GB (used to be 3 in 32bit) and VRAM shows 1.7GB, which is absurd. anyway i think im gonna install 64bit vista again, just curious.

    P.S. i need the extra gig cause i am doing some virtualization lately. i believe the extra memory would help this old lappy
    nismo91, Oct 4, 2011
    #5

  6. nismo91 TechSpot Guru

    finally! apparently the BIOS update solves this issue. after going back into vista 64 and perform the bios update, 4GB of RAM shows up.

    i hope this thread will be useful for anyone who have similar problems. now i know why my laptop is not shipped with 64-bit out-of-the-box. it was not working then. luckily the key on the sticker works with the 64-bit as well.

    [IMG]
    nismo91, Oct 4, 2011
    #6