My computer is suppose to have 256m RAM, but when I look at my system resources it says that I only have 239.6. How can i get the rest of my RAM to function? I am a dork and want to play the Sid Myers Pirates game but I can't do it due to my RAM shortage. I have defragmented to try to up my speed, and my disk cleanup doesn't work for some reason. Any help you can give will be much appreciated!
2006-11-16 00:23:53 · 6 answers · asked by Jon C 6 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
BTW I got my computer in 2003, and it survived a tour to Iraq, so i'm not quite redy to give it up yet.
2006-11-16 00:49:03 · update #1
The operating system sets aside a portion of the RAM memory, usually 16 mg. Sounds like yours has set aside 16.4, leaving you 239.6. You simply don't have enough memory in the laptop to run the operating system and a big game. You need at least 512K RAM for today's games, and that's probably not enough. Look at the website for your computer's manufacturer, put in the name and model of your laptop, then look at the specs. It will tell you how much memory your processor and motherboard will accept.
Defragging and disk cleanup will only do so much to speed things up. More memory is the key here. If you don't know how to add a memory stick, or what kind to add, take the laptop to a good tech for help. Ask around for one that's reputable.
2006-11-16 00:33:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
first of all, upgrade your ram. For Windows XP it should be at least 512mb or even 1GB. The reason the ram is a 256 and saying that only 239.6 is there is because that is what is availible to use. The video is intergrated I am assuming, though it doesnt have to be, the reason I say this is because the video sub-system takes up some physicle ram. That is where the rest of your ram went, it is still there but the video system is using what is not showing up. Then it tells you what is availible to use.
2006-11-16 08:28:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Upgrade upgrade upgrade!!! I am assuming you are running and an integrated video card. Window's is a resource hog...and with the integrated video you are losing out.
Up-grade to a video card with an onboard GPU (the more Ram it has on its own the better...unfortunately you can sink several hundred dollars here).
Upgrade Ram...There are several sites where you can look up what stick (s) your machine can use...then shop!! Tiger direct, Ebay, and your cpu's manufacturer have your memory at varying prices...Just find a deal.
Depending on how much you want to invest and what make your mother board is...you my even be able to update your Processor. and you can keep your current machine.
2006-11-16 11:02:30 · answer #3 · answered by silverback487 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your system is reporting the available resources. As your computer starts the operating system has to load various device drivers into memory so that it will operate properly. So the amount of free memory will be less then from the get go.
256mb is on the low end of what your computer needs to run properly. You will need to add additional memory
2006-11-16 08:41:52 · answer #4 · answered by Fremen 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
its possible that your system has 'shared video'
thereby, using some of the system ram to power the video card.
adding another 256 memory card to the computer will help greatly
2006-11-16 08:26:50 · answer #5 · answered by kjanxer 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
do you have onboard video? if so thats where your ram has gone
2006-11-16 08:25:44 · answer #6 · answered by bsmith13421 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋