I have 4GB ram installed, Windows sees 2814MB

Question

I see this is a common problem, however I don't understand the resolution.

I have Windows 7 64 bit installed, and a separate graphics card (GeForce 7900 GS). Is the entire 4 GB of main RAM usable, or is 1200 MB wasted because of address conflicts?

Note:

1. I definitely have windows 64 bit, not 32 bit.
2. Each memory chip shows as 2GB on its own. Only when combined, they show as 2814 MB.
3. I've tried different slots.
4. Both memory chips are the exact same model.
5. The checkbox in msconfig (boot/advanced/max-mem) is not checked.
6. I actually have Windows 7 RC and not RTM, not sure that it matters though.

Answer 1

Try booting a Linux Live CD, or even just Memtest86+, and seeing how much memory that reports. That will help sort out whether you have a hardware issue or a software issue.

Answer 2

Start > Run > Type msconfig and click OK

go to Boot > Advanced

is the box 'Maximum Memory' checked?

Answer 3

From what you said about the memory, the problem is one of two:

• You are actually running 32-bit Windows 7. Right click on Computer and go to properties. Ensure you are running the 64-bit version.
• There is a problem with your memory. Swap out sticks until you can make sure all memory is working. Also make sure your memory is the same, if you mix and match some of it might be dropping off. Use memtest86 to run through your RAM bit by bit and ensure proper usage.

Answer 4

It's a common problem with 32-bit (non-Server) Windows. But with 64-bit you should be able to use all your RAM.

EDIT: Download MemInfo. Extract the AMD64 version and from an Administrator prompt, run meminfo -r. For example, on this 6GB system, I get:

MemInfo v2.10 - Show PFN database information
Copyright (C) 2007-2009 Alex Ionescu
www.alex-ionescu.com

Physical Memory Range: 0000000000001000 to 000000000009F000 (158 pages, 632 KB)
Physical Memory Range: 0000000000100000 to 00000000DFEF0000 (916976 pages, 3667904 KB)
Physical Memory Range: 0000000100000000 to 00000001A0000000 (655360 pages, 2621440 KB)
MmHighestPhysicalPage: 1703936

It starts with the classic 640KB (or thereabouts); then the memory under 4GB, up to memory-mapped IO region (which on this particular system is) around DFF0 0000, and then finally the re-mapped memory placed above the 4GB boundary. (Each page is 4KB.)

Answer 5

Does the bios show the full amount of memory when both sticks are in? Quick way to see if it is bad memory.

Answer 6

In your BIOS is there a memory remapping or a memory hole setting? That may have to be enabled for the RAM to be usable by Windows. Otherwise the RAM address will conflict with the addresses used by your hardware and be unusable.

It is also possible it is a hardware limitation of the chip set on your motherboard.

What motherboard do you have?

Answer 7

It's not the same. The link you pointed to refers to the 32 bit version of vista, which absolutely is limited to ~3GB of ram.

64 bit is a whole different animal. You should have access to all that RAM. I run 64 bit vista at home, and I've got 8GB of RAM installed with no problems at all.

@Ripper: The point is, you're stuck with a 32bit address space. It's the only explanation for the 3 gig limit. 64 bit computing has a limit, but it's nowhere near 3 gigs (though Microsoft does cripple the memory limits of certain versions of Windows)