Windows 7 Ultimate x64 - Installed memory 4GB (3GB usable)

Anonymous
2009-11-05T13:43:36+00:00

I have installed Windows 7 Ultimate x64. In System Properties, Windows tells me I have 4Gb RAM but only 3Gb is usable, displayed in the following format:

Installed memory (RAM): 4.00 GB (3.00 GB usable)

Previous to this installation, I had Vista Ultimate x64 installed and that always showed 4GB and all of it was usuable. What is it about Windows 7 that has changed this? If this is indeed a problem caused by BIOS settings, I have not altered them in any way so does this mean that Windows 7 changes the BIOS settings at the point of install?

I do not believe this to be related to some memory being allocated to my Graphics Card, it already has 512MB of dedicated memory. Why would Windows 7 assign it another 1GB of RAM, giving me a total of 1.5GB graphics memory? As I said, this was NEVER a problem on Vista Ultimate x64.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2009-11-16T03:11:56+00:00

Hello AshK86,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Answers Forums.

Can you list what model motherboard, processor and graphics card you are using?  The “Hardware or BIOS reserved” is pointing towards the type of motherboard you have.  I know you said you didn’t see this with Vista, but let’s make sure we rule it out just in case.

Regards,

Edgar

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-01-27T05:07:39+00:00

    ECS PT890T-A

    Chipset VIA P4M890  V1.0

    Southbridge - VIA VT8237A

    LPCIO - ITE IT8718

    American Megatrends Inc. BIOS (have the latest update)

    Version 080013

    12/19/2007

    Intel Core 2 Duo E6320

    Conroe

    Socket 775 LGA

    6320 @ 1.86 GHZ

    Technology 65 nm

    L1 Data 2 x 32 KBytes 8-way

    L2 Data 2 x 32 KBytes 8-way

    Level 2 4096 Kbytes 16-way

     **Using CPU-Z info tool Memory is read as DDR2 Single Channel

    Size 4096 MBytes

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-01-26T20:45:43+00:00

    Hi,

    which mainboard do you have? Does the chipset support >4GB of RAM?

    André

    "A programmer is just a tool which converts caffeine into code" CLIP- Stellvertreter http://www.winvistaside.de/

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-01-26T15:36:25+00:00

    You need re-map your extra cash so you can buy a new mobo. Fortunately, all my productive stuff is done on a Mac. But the via chip set appears to be the problem in my case. Bios updates ceased in 2007 for my ECS board.

    Unless you have the switch in the BIOS like I dont...your stuck with it or buy a new mobo.

    You have to remember, companies make lots of $$$ selling new hardware when OS's come out. There is no incentive for them to develop a legacy friendly product.

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-01-26T08:49:01+00:00

    Thank you, but there is no remapping option in my bios.

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