Computer RAM?

Question

Why would a new computer with 512MB DDR SDRAM only recognize 366MB of it, with Windows XP Home (5.1, Build 2600) installed?

Just to add some more detail, I just bought this computer yesterday, and I bought it new, not used. I've used Si Sandra on it and it shows that I have 1 bank filled with a 512mb DDR SDRAM chip, but at the same time it suggests (under the System Memory Control category after performing the Hardware>Mainboard test) that "Maximum installable memory is 512mb? I've checked BIOS and BIOS recognises a full 512MB of ram installed, and I've inspected the interior of the case and verified that there is ineed 1 stick of RAM installed, but I've not yet attempted to reseat the RAM.

Thanks for all of your help. I've come to the conclusion that it must be onboard video eating up my RAM, which doesn't suprise me. I had already planned on picking up a video card, guess this just seals the deal. Thank you again for all of your very helpful, and very prompt, responses.

Answer 1

Because your system uses on-board video and the PC dedicates that much memory to the exclusive use of of video. If you want to get that memory back you can either install more memory or get a video card with it's own faster memory on-board. Good Luck!

Answer 2

Do you have onboard video? If so it could be sharing system memory. You can set the total amount of memory your video uses in the BIOS or get an add-in graphics card (NVIDIA or ATI) which has it's own memory included so it doesn't need to share and will free up the full 512MB for just your computer to use.

Answer 3

More than likely the "missing" RAM is being used for your on-board video card. Motherboards with on-board video cards will use part of the system memory to drive the graphics on the computer's monitor. That is the reason most custom built desk top computers have a separate video card with it's own memory on the card.

Answer 4

possibly because either you have a defective ram chip, the ram chip may not be installed correctly or the system has the video adapter card set to use a high proportion of system RAM as well as the RAM on your GPU board.

so you need to boot the system and enter the system bios. browse around until you find the GPU, graphics, video memory option, and set this to about 32 or 64MB depending on your need. now follow the instructions to save the settings and restart your system the system i hope will show you an increased RAM size. if it does not then as i said before the RAM chip may be defective if you bought the PC pre-assembled then return it to where yuou bought it from and get them to run a series of tests and or swap it over for a system with working RAM.

failing that you might like to consider paying around£65 for a 1GB Ram module from a reputible etailer such as www.dabs.com and install the RAM yourself.
512MB on a windows XP system is very low this in theory will only allow the most basic of functions.

typically you need a minimum of 1GB system RAM in XP speaking from experiance of several years use of XP and that of building my neighbours sytem.

personally i have a system with 3GB RAM running VISTA x64 Beta2 a 256MB GPU, and 6Hard drives one of which has XP available to use and run.
my system is iddeling here and my ram is at 33% (1GB) and my CPU is hovering between 3 and25% (cpu= amd sempron 3400+ 2009mhz (2GHz))

Answer 5

if it is an older computer, it's possible that the motherboard cannot support more than 366MB. check with the manufacturer.

or, you may need to update the BIOS to get support for larger amounts of memory

Answer 6

Cuz 206 MB is shared for video memory. Go to the BIOS to change that value. or contact OEM for further assistance with how to change it.

Answer 7

Because the computer uses the windows calculation where 1000b = 1kb; 1000kb = 1mb, instead of the usual 1024b = 1kb, 1024kb = 1mb.....hope it helps ^_^

Answer 8

what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
with 512ram a system can recognize upto 500mb
there is a serious error
try to remove ram and clean it with a eraser and put it again