SD said:
I recently increased my internal memory from 384MB to 512MB; 512MB is
the maximum internal memory supported by my computer (H-P 7855).
I'm currently running WindowsXP Home, and I'm at the latest update
level.
Is there a way for me to determine If my computer is actually taking
advantage of the additional 128MB of memory?
If the memory is installed, Windows is using it. It's automatic. There's
nothing to do and nothing that needs to be checked.
Your asking the question makes it sound like adding the additional RAM
didn't result in a percepible speed increase for you. If that's the case, it
isn't necessarily surprising. Despite what many people will tell you, more
memory is *not* necessarily better (although it never hurts).
You get good performance if the amount of RAM you have keeps you from using
the page file, and that depends on what apps you run. Most people running a
typical range of business applications find that somewhere around 256-384MB
works well, others need 512MB. Almost anyone will see poor performance with
less than 256MB. Some people, particularly those doing things like editing
large photographic images, can see a performance boost by adding even more
than 512MB--sometimes much more.
So if you saw no speedup as a result of adding more RAM, it's likely that
the 384MB you started with was adequate for the mix of apps *you* run.