Windows *recognizes* all my RAM, but *uses* only a part of it. Why?

PearlChoco

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Jun 25, 2006
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My HP xw8200 workstation at work only had 2GB RAM (4 x 512MB DDR2-400) and was getting slow.
So I added another 2GB of RAM (2x 1GB) of the same type/speed (another brand though).

BIOS recognizes 4096MB RAM. Windows System Info recognizes 4096MB RAM.
But Windows task manager only reports a total of 2,5GB RAM available.
Why oh why???

I have WinXP 32bit installed, so I know I shouldn't be able to get the full 4GB, but at least 3,5GB should be available, right?

qcuPgjF


PC specs: http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/archives_Division/11976_div_v23/11976_div.PDF
 

allanitomwesh

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Jun 27, 2012
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2GB RAM is never exactly 2000MB,just like a 500gb hard disk is never exactly flat out 500gb after formatting. They do that to keep it simple.
 

PearlChoco

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Jun 25, 2006
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I mean, if Windows reserves 1,5GB of the 4GB installed for video RAM, why didn't it do that previously when only 2GB was installed? (at that time Windows task manager reported about 2GB RAM available).

In other words: I added 2GB RAM to the machine (which Windows System Info recognizes), and Windows only uses about 0,5GB RAM more than before.
 

Darren Kitchin

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Aug 22, 2013
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