Why does my PC thinks it has less RAM than it really has?

Question

My comp has 512mb of RAM, but it reads as if it only has one 256 one.. or more specifically, 190mb only.
Any possible ideas what went wrong, besides not fixing the RAM properly. It is fixed properly, cuz, for a few months after i installed it, it was working perfectly fine.

Answer 1

Did you overload it?

Run through the list below and see if there is anything here to which you need pay attention:

PC Running Slow, Hangs, Freezes:

Some helpful hints to avoid common mistakes:

- Many users are not aware of how much RAM is used by wallpaper and/or a screensaver full of graphics. They run in the background and consume memory. (I have only 512mb RAM, run multiple programs simultaneously, and have set my wallpaper and screensaver to blank.)

I don’t do games, but I do know they are primarily graphics which need and use a lot of memory.

- How many programs do you load at startup? Maybe you should check it out and ensure you are running just what you need.
To do this: cl Start, cl Settings, cl Taskbar and Start Menu.
cl Start Menu, cl Customize, cl Remove.
cl the icon for the program you wish to remove
then cl Remove.
There is also a “Disable All” button.
This will prevent the program from loading at startup, but will not remove the program from the hard disk.

When you are working in a large file, save frequently to restore full memory access. (Your work remains in memory until you “save” it to disk.)

Did you run an error check? Open My Computer,
Right-cl on C:, Select Properties, Tools – Run an Error Check ( checkmark “check all and fix); then run a Defrag

Are you using Yahoo Toolbar? Run a full Norton Antispy.

From IE, click Tools, Internet Options
delete cookies
delete files (offline files)
clear history (set days to save to 0 if you want)
click o.k.
click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools – run Disk Cleanup

click Start, Run ipconfig renew (type ipconfig space renew)

All these things should be done regularly. The more frequently they are run, the less time they take.
Note: Games and videos are mostly graphics. Graphics create large files. If this doesn’t help, you should consider getting more memory.
Good web sites to visit: http://www.theonlinefamily.net/organize/spring_clean_computer/index.html
http://wehow.ehow.com/how_2007317_keep-computer-running-fast-smooth.html

Answer 2

probably because your system RAM is being shared by your onboard Video chip.

Do you have a store bought PC like eMachine, HP, or Gateway? Any PC that uses a video processor that is part of the mainboard will use part of the system RAM and make it seem that you have less RAM than you think.

Answer 3

do u have 1 512 stick or 2 256 sticks?