ram usages in windows 7

[Melanie]

ok so i got 16 gb ram now in my windows 7 install but it seems im missing some i think ..whne u got to control panel home is says

16.0 gb(7.25 gb usable)

if so where is the other 8.75 gb i have been trying to read up on where or what immissing but im lost any help ..?? and yes i have windows 7 pro which supports up to 16 gb and my asus motherboard i looked supports 16 gb also ... please help

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I think it has to do with something in the bios.

 

[Voo]

Well the bios really shouldn't map that much memory, but yeah it's a possibility.

Anyways to see what's mapped to where open the device manager (devmgmt.msc) -> view -> resources by connection. Then expand the memory node. That'll show us what is mapped in what memory range.

 

[(sic)Klown12]

This is a shot in the dark, but it's worth checking:
Open up MSconfig and go to the boot tab. Highlight your boot drive and hit advanced option and make sure it's set to allow you to use all available ram. Best way to do that is make sure it's un-checked.

 

[Voo]

Good idea. That option would explain the situation, although I've got no idea how that setting was set - because per default that option should be disabled

 

[(sic)Klown12]

If I remember correctly, a lot of older Windows "tweak guides" that floated around on the net told people to go there and manually select both the core and RAM amount in the mistaken thought that it didn't by default. Since OP said the new RAM in an upgrade, I thought he could have read of these guides.

 

[Melanie]

ok so i went and unchecked that option and restarted nothing .. then check and it said max ram 16something hit apply and restarted .. in msconfig now it shows 15.2 usable ...but when u open up msconfig and boot advanced its still checks with no number below...it seems to be fixed i guess....