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Desktops forum: Vista Only Shows 512MB of Ram with 2GB Installed

by: maxxdout August 4, 2012 4:24 PM PDT

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Vista Only Shows 512MB of Ram with 2GB Installed

by maxxdout - 8/4/12 4:24 PM

So we finally got some RAM for our horribly under-RAMed eMachines W3623 running vista. It had 512mb and it was just unbearably slow. I bought a compatible 2GB RAM chip, installed it and the computer is still as slow and task manager only shows 512(510)mb of the 2GB. I've tried reseating the ram twice and upgrading the bios but I've had no luck. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!


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Clarification request: Your ram explained

by Willy - 8/5/12 2:14 AM

In Reply to: Vista Only Shows 512MB of Ram with 2GB Installed by maxxdout

The others zero-in on your problem. Allow me to explain further or in basic terms:

Your PC may allow a total of 2gb of ram installed but only as 1gb per ram slot. You can't defeat this and there is no word-around. There is the outside possibility of accepting that new 2gb stick alone provided the bios is updated to the latest release and even do that as a last resort, no sure thing.

However, you maybe best served to return that new 2gb of ram and get 2x1gb ram set. IMHO, return and swap for true compatible ram sticks. Also, you'll need to remove the 512mb ram stick in order to install the new 2x1gb set.

tada ------Willy happy


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by R. Proffitt Moderator - 8/4/12 5:42 PM

In Reply to: Vista Only Shows 512MB of Ram with 2GB Installed by maxxdout

1. Does the BIOS shows the RAM?

2. Is this the right RAM? (link)
http://www.crucial.com/upgrade/eMachines-memory/W-Series/W3623-upgrades.html

3. Vista does have a LIMIT MEMORY setting but I'd like to see answers to 1 and 2 first since not all 2GB sticks work.
Bob


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What you bought does not appear to be compatible

by VAPCMD - 8/4/12 8:40 PM

In Reply to: Vista Only Shows 512MB of Ram with 2GB Installed by maxxdout

based on the information in the link Bob provided. I'd return what you bought and get 2GBs of RAM at the link provided.

"Memory Type: DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 (non-ECC)
Maximum Memory: 2GB
Slots: 2
Each memory slot can hold DDR2 PC2-5300 with a maximum of 1GB per slot.*

Let us know.

VAPCMD


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