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I have a new custom built pc. It has 8B of RAM and was working like a dream. Suddenly it is super slow and taking hours to download photos that used to take just minutes. I notice that there is 8GB RAM but only 3,25GB usable. could this be the problem? If so how to I change it? I'm using Windows 7

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I'm guessing you have a 32-bit version of Windows 7? That would explain why only 3.25 GB is usable. But I doubt that has anything to do with the slow transfers. How do you transfer your photos? Do you plug a USB cable into the camera, or put the card in a card reader? – coneslayer Apr 5 '10 at 15:38
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3 Answers

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To use all your RAM you need to install Windows 7 64-bit. The 32-bit image can only address up to 4GB (typically less with space reserved for view-port memory and other I/O space within the same 4GB). You cannot change between 32-/64-bit without reinstalling. This is likely not what is causing your download performance problem if you have not reinstalled since you got your system. Also, 32-bit Windows 7 performs well within 2-4GB.

To see if you have 32 or 64 bit installed, click Start, right-click Computer, and select Properties. Look at "System type:".

Download time is usually more a factor of the network interface.

Some things to check:

  • Perhaps something changed externally; your provider?
  • There could be a problem with the network drivers; get the latest version from the manufacturer of either the network card or your computer.
  • Have you monitored the actual processes and network activity (right-click Taskbar [also called "Superbar"], select "Start Task Manager", click on "Resource Monitor...")? Perhaps you have a runaway program that is consuming the CPU, RAM or network resources.
  • Your computer may have acquired a virus too; if you have A-V software, find another one and let it do a full scan for you.
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It sounds like you're only getting a 1.1 speed connection from the USB connection rather than 2.0.

Are you plugging the camera (or card reader) into the same USB socket on the computer?

Try different sockets - do they all produce the same result?

You might need to reinstall the card reader or camera support software.

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You may wish to check in your computer's BIOS to make sure that the USB2.0 controller is enabled. If it is not, the ports will only give 1.1 speeds.

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