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DDR 512Mb Problem

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6 replies

by waynott

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The computer is running slow, taking long to open and close programs, but runs normal once programs are loaded. The HP cpu XP with stock 512 RAM only shows 488RAM in system properties. I thought it was a bad DDR chip I replaced both, then one at a time, in different slots. It displays less than what is in the slots. IS this a corrupt driver problem? Is it a CPU mother board problem? Has any seen such a problem?

6 replies

by steffi28

I take it that your running windows right? Well I think (not 100% sure but I'm sure someone will correct me if im wrong) that when checking RAM slightly less is always displayed (again I think this is because the computer doesnt display what windows need to use to run or something along them lines) I think its like when you get a hard drive, it says its 80gb but only about 77 shows up.

Anyway onto something I do know :) one of the best ways to make the computer run a bit faster is to stop it from loading all kinds on startup.

The easiest way to do this is to check the startup menu in "start" "programmes" make sure you dont have things you dont need starting up when windows begins.

The second way is MSconfig. In the start menu click on run, type msconfig, click on the last tab (not sure of its name as my version of windows is in German) and remove programmes you dont need to start up when you start windows.

ONLY REMOVE PROGRAMMES YOU KNOW YOU DONT NEED!! I don't want you posting here next week saying how some programme hasnt worked since you ran msconfig.

Good luck and I hope this helps you a little

by waynott

I know on other cpu's it does display the correct ram size of the chips plugged in. I really think it motherboard time. I will check into the msconfig. Its been awhile since i checked the start up programs.

by ic-it

Could the video be using some of the RAM?

by hal 9000

Some of the System RAM is being used to generate the Video Signal as well as some Clock Cycles of the CPU.

If you have On Board Video you can check this out by entering BIOS and looking at how much RAM is set aside for Video. If this is the amount that you are missing that's where it's gone. The only way to recover this is to use a dedicated Video Card and turn off the On Board Video in BIOS.

However if there is a vast difference between what is shown and what is fitted you'll need to look at the Owners Manual and look at the Max Size RAM that can be fitted to each RAM Socket as you may have inadvertently exceeded the Max RAM supported by each RAM Socket on the M'Board.

Col

by steffi28

Sorry if I sounded a bit condecending, its just that your job didnt list you as being "IT" involved so well I think I assumed you were less computer literate than you are. :p

Anyways hope you find out the problem, keep us updated :)

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