HELP: Win 7 Pro 64 Bit (Only 3GB Usable RAM)

[El Wayneo]

Hi,

4GB installed and only 3GB usable.

Have tried the "maximum memory" trick in msconfig but no worky.

Have tried any remap RAM function in BIOS no worky.

Am using Zotac Ion board with 512mb RAM for the onboard grpahics, but before it always deducted that and used whats left?

[Burn-IT]

Has the BIOS grabbed 1Gb for the Video???
Some do vary the amount according to what is available

[Snakedoc]

Is there a more recent BIOS available? How much RAM does BIOS see it as having?

[El Wayneo]

BIOS only sees 3GB at startup on the splash screen actually.

But system identifies 4GB but only 3 usable.

YOu reckon its a BIOS issue?

[Col]

If you're using 4 x 1GB sticks, check that they're all seated correctly. Although if they weren't I think you'd get a beep code instead.

[El Wayneo]

Using 2 x 2GB.

I have the latest BIOS as well.

[Pancake]

The chipset can address up to 8GB of memory, but requires use of PAE to achieve above 3GB.

[Snakedoc]

Seems like it's BIOS tbh. Can you try different slots for the ram sticks?

[El Wayneo]

The chipset can address up to 8GB of memory, but requires use of PAE to achieve above 3GB.

Whats PAE then?


Seems like it's BIOS tbh. Can you try different slots for the ram sticks?

Nope, i only have two slots as its mini itx.

If i try either 2GB stick in either slot it is shown as 2GB on splash and on "system " screen.

Shows 2GB usable as well.

[Pancake]

Whats PAE then?



Nope, i only have two slots as its mini itx.

If i try either 2GB stick in either slot it is shown as 2GB on splash and on "system " screen.

Shows 2GB usable as well.

Physical Address Extension


Operating System Support. The PAE kernel is not enabled by default for systems that can support more than 4 GB of RAM.

To boot the system and utilize PAE memory, the /PAE switch must be added to the corresponding entry in the Boot.ini file. If a problem should arise, Safe Mode may be used, which causes the system to boot using the normal kernel (support for only 4 GB of RAM) even if the /PAE switch is part of the Boot.ini file.

The PAE mode kernel requires an Intel Architecture processor, Pentium Pro or later, more than 4 GB of RAM, and Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003.

The PAE kernel can be enabled automatically without the /PAE switch present in the boot entry if the system has DEP enabled (/NOEXECUTE switch is present) or the system processor supports hardware-enforced DEP. Presence of the /NOEXECUTE switch on a system with a processor that supports hardware-enforced DEP implies the /PAE switch. If the system processor is capable of hardware-enforced DEP and the /NOEXECUTE switch is not present in the boot entry, Windows assumes /NOEXECUTE=optin by default and enables PAE mode. For more information, see the topic "Boot Options in a Boot.ini File" in the Windows DDK.

[El Wayneo]

So Intel Atoms can't use 4GB then?

[Pancake]

So Intel Atoms can't use 4GB then?

Im sure they can, If you can do what it says below, IF that doesnt work then its not that bad right? do you REALLY need all 4GB with an Atom?

Sorry, posted wrong quote that doesnt say how to do it before

__________________________

Enabling PAE

To enable PAE:
•

Locate the Boot.ini file, which is typically in the root folder (for example, C:/) and remove its Read-Only and Hidden attributes.
•

Open the Boot.ini file with a text editor, and then add the /PAE parameter to the ARC path, as shown in the following example:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)
\WINNT="Windows ???? Datacenter Server" /PAE /basevideo /sos

[El Wayneo]

I think i'll leave it.

Works fine, just an oddity.

[Pancake]

I think i'll leave it.

Works fine, just an oddity.

Haha, if that were me I would die



Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

[FlasH]

I had a similar issue to this, had to reinstall Windows twice before it'd pick it up as 64 bit with 4gb RAM.

[El Wayneo]

Oh well, it works fine.

Will be swapping it out most likely in feb for a low powered Sandybridge mini itx.

[Aaron]

Just out of interest, what happens if you increase the on board graphics memory to 1Gb?

[El Wayneo]

I can't 512Mb is the maximum.

[Aaron]

Ah I see....

[PMM]

Halt there everybody !!!

To set the record straight there is an imposed limit on the Atom Platform this is an Intel enforced thing same as limiting Netbook manufactures to 2Gb.

Only has a 32bit memory addressing not 48bit so its just like the same issue running a 32bit os and not seeing the full 4gb.

So only 3.5Gb available the other 0.5 is system reserved

Your frame buffer takes .5 of the 3.5gb leaving with 3gb.

Hope that makes sense - Poor advertising another maker has a worse claim of 8Gb they are also getting complaints.

Also SeanBond is quoting info for XP - it does not apply to Win7.

[Pancake]

Halt there everybody !!!

To set the record straight there is an imposed limit on the Atom Platform this is an Intel enforced thing same as limiting Netbook manufactures to 2Gb.

Only has a 32bit memory addressing not 48bit so its just like the same issue running a 32bit os and not seeing the full 4gb.

So only 3.5Gb available the other 0.5 is system reserved

Your frame buffer takes .5 of the 3.5gb leaving with 3gb.

Hope that makes sense - Poor advertising another maker has a worse claim of 8Gb they are also getting complaints.

Oh right! i guess the board can get 8GB and post, just not the CPU

[PMM]

indeed, limitation of the Atom CPU.