XP System Properties vs. MSinfo for RAM

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tom
  • Start date Start date
T

Tom

A new laptop I purchased claims to have 256 megs of RAM.
Checking System Properties, the system says it only has
192.

After calling the manufacturer, they directed me to go to
Run-->Msinfo which pulls up a screen which DOES say that
my installed RAM is 256 megs. The support person claimed
that all machines will "hide" some RAM from the user in
system properties necessary to load the system.

My desktop machine, however, lists MATCHING values under
both screens. The desktop runs windows 2000, the new
laptop XP Home.

Is this true? Do other users find that their Installed
RAM listed under system properties (a right click on my
computer) is lower than their real amount? Is this a bug?

Any help or information would be greatly appreciated - the
machine is a compaq 2596
 
A new laptop I purchased claims to have 256 megs of RAM.
Checking System Properties, the system says it only has
192.
Click to expand...

Your display adapter is "borrowing" 64 MB of ram from the system to be used
for video memory.
 
It's normal. It might be using Shared Memory Architecture. They advertise as 256MB Total Memory, out of which 64MB is taken for Video.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
www.mvps.org/sramesh2k
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Tips_Page.htm
http://www.mvps.org


A new laptop I purchased claims to have 256 megs of RAM.
Checking System Properties, the system says it only has
192.

After calling the manufacturer, they directed me to go to
Run-->Msinfo which pulls up a screen which DOES say that
my installed RAM is 256 megs. The support person claimed
that all machines will "hide" some RAM from the user in
system properties necessary to load the system.

My desktop machine, however, lists MATCHING values under
both screens. The desktop runs windows 2000, the new
laptop XP Home.

Is this true? Do other users find that their Installed
RAM listed under system properties (a right click on my
computer) is lower than their real amount? Is this a bug?

Any help or information would be greatly appreciated - the
machine is a compaq 2596
 
It is an ATI Mobility Radeon 4X AGP. Sounds like this is
normal, although frustrating since it seems as if it means
that with a different video card, I would be able to
utilize all my ram. Suppose I just need to buy some and
upgrade.

Thanks for your help!
-----Original Message-----
It's normal. It might be using Shared Memory
Click to expand...
Architecture. They advertise as 256MB Total Memory, out of
which 64MB is taken for Video.
--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
www.mvps.org/sramesh2k
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Tips_Page.htm
http://www.mvps.org


"Tom" <[email protected]> wrote in
Click to expand...
message news:[email protected]...
 
It is an ATI Mobility Radeon 4X AGP. Sounds like this is
normal, although frustrating since it seems as if it means
that with a different video card, I would be able to
utilize all my ram. Suppose I just need to buy some and
upgrade.

Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
<snip>

No, with a different laptop you would be able to use all your ram.
If your laptop has "integrated" video, it makes no difference what
brand the video chip....... it is going to "borrow" memory anyway.
On some newer, more expensive laptops they are starting to use
independent video cards that have their own memory, and don't rob from
the system.
If the 64MB hit is that noticeable, upgrade your SYSTEM memory to
512MB or 1GMB. Memory is cheap, and the missing 64MB will be less
noticeable. I feel all XP machines should have AT LEAST 512MB.

On the bright side, for integrated video, your machine has a pretty
good chip. A few years ago, laptops were limited to 8MB video.
At least you can play decent games on your laptop.


§kullywag©-
 
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