Computer experts - help > General Discussion

Posted: 1/8/2007 2:19:45 AM EDT

I have a new Compaq Presario laptop/notebook. Supposedly has 512MB RAM, and when I go to Crucial.com to see prices for uprading it, I run their scanner software and it says I have two slots, one of which has 512MB RAM module.

But when I go into "My Computer" and click on the System icon, it says I only have 384MB RAM. Is the other 128MB RAM somehow being used elsewhere and not showing up? How do I get this "back", per se?

I am trying to play WoW, and having a tough time due to the low RAM that the computer seems to think it has. Just tryng to streamline the operations and resources - any ideas, or do I have to plunk down serious cash to get 1GB or 2GB of RAM?

I do have the ATI Radeon Express 128MB graphicscard/chip.

Posted: 1/8/2007 2:23:32 AM EDT

[#1]

Sounds like you have a 128 module and a 256 module? Did you buy the laptop new or used? (ETA: I see you said 'new', but was it really 'new', or 'new to you'?)

Posted: 1/8/2007 2:25:27 AM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
I have a new Compaq Presario laptop/notebook. Supposedly has 512MB RAM, and when I go to Crucial.com to see prices for uprading it, I run their scanner software and it says I have two slots, one of which has 512MB RAM module.

But when I go into "My Computer" and click on the System icon, it says I only have 384MB RAM. Is the other 128MB RAM somehow being used elsewhere and not showing up? How do I get this "back", per se?

I am trying to play WoW, and having a tough time due to the low RAM that the computer seems to think it has. Just tryng to streamline the operations and resources - any ideas, or do I have to plunk down serious cash to get 1GB or 2GB of RAM?

I do have the ATI Radeon Express 128MB graphicscard/chip.

Buy a desktop.

Posted: 1/8/2007 2:27:46 AM EDT

[#3]

Bought it new.

Already have 2 desktops - this one I take to work with me.

Posted: 1/8/2007 2:35:39 AM EDT

[#4]

Chances are that radeon express is "sharing" that other 128.

Posted: 1/8/2007 2:43:12 AM EDT

[#5]

easy.

turn laptop off.

flip over.

open panel that is for memory.

read memory size on stick.

Posted: 1/8/2007 2:44:35 AM EDT

[#6]

height=8

Quoted:
Chances are that radeon express is "sharing" that other 128.

Bingo - that appears to be the answer. Hmm, so i guess that means I'll have to do a RAM upgrade - two 512MB chips will give me 1GB - i already have one, so about $80 for a 512MB RAM chip - damn these notebook RAM chips are pricey compared to desktops. I guess doing it that way would give me 1GB minus the 128MB RAM being used by the graphics card, right?

Posted: 1/8/2007 2:46:33 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Chances are that radeon express is "sharing" that other 128.

Bingo - that appears to be the answer. Hmm, so i guess that means I'll have to do a RAM upgrade - two 512MB chips will give me 1GB - i already have one, so about $80 for a 512MB RAM chip - damn these notebook RAM chips are pricey compared to desktops. I guess doing it that way would give me 1GB minus the 128MB RAM being used by the graphics card, right?

you can get 1gb from Newegg.com for $85

Posted: 1/8/2007 4:12:39 AM EDT

[#8]

I STRONGLY suggest 1GB sticks, even if you can only afford one. If you buy another 512, when you get ready to upgrade again - and you will - you'll basically be throwing that money away, as you'll have to buy 1GB sticks at that time to replace your 512s.

Posted: 1/8/2007 4:18:29 AM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Chances are that radeon express is "sharing" that other 128.

Bingo - that appears to be the answer. Hmm, so i guess that means I'll have to do a RAM upgrade - two 512MB chips will give me 1GB - i already have one, so about $80 for a 512MB RAM chip - damn these notebook RAM chips are pricey compared to desktops. I guess doing it that way would give me 1GB minus the 128MB RAM being used by the graphics card, right?

Yup the video card steals some system memory in some setups. You can adjust the amount it robs in BIOS on some motherboards.

x156

Posted: 1/8/2007 4:18:50 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
Bought it new.

Already have 2 desktops - this one I take to work with me.

Ahhh... I understand. WOW at work.

Good call.

Posted: 1/8/2007 4:29:11 AM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Chances are that radeon express is "sharing" that other 128.

there is your answer. your video has no onboard ram, it shares from systems ram.

many laptops do this.

Warning

Confirm Action

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Computer experts - help

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Computer experts - help