About Ram Memory

[sitopons]

Hi, I have a 256 MB Compaq but my available physical memory only shows 30MB , the PC is brand new so I don't realy understand why is only showing 30 MB yet the total is 256 MB. Is there anything I can do to improve that without buying a new memory upgrade. Any help is welcome. Thanx

[pave_spectre]

What are you using to check the RAM?

[ranjit jacob]

Normally the RAM size in the OS will show as less if you have allocated more RAM for ur VIDEO CARD ( onboard). But it should not bring it down to 30 MB that's not possible. IF the RAM is 256 and if in the os it shows as say 248mb or something its unerstood.Try getting into the advanved option in ur BIOS and decrease the RAM allocated for onboard video to say 1mb or something, and check again....let us know abt it !!

[ski]

Also, 256MB of RAM is not a whole heck of a lot of memory for a Windows XP system, since XP uses a lot of RAM by itself, in addition to active programs and programs running in the background.

But IMHO, the important question is - Does the virtual memory ever activate? If so, then more RAM needs to be installed.

[sitopons]

You need to go to accesories then systems tools then system information it is all there,.... :)

[sitopons]

thanx I will look into it...

[saphalline]

WinXP, 256MB RAM, 30MB available? Sounds fine to me. 256MB of RAM is the minimum practical amount for WinXP, so if you've got 30MB available when you first start-up your system, then that sounds about right. I don't see a problem.

[ski]

WinXP, 256MB RAM, 30MB available? Sounds fine to me. 256MB of RAM is the minimum practical amount for WinXP, so if you've got 30MB available when you first start-up your system, then that sounds about right. I don't see a problem.Hmmm....
Unless sitopons multitasks with RAM hogging applications, or plays intense games. If so, then the virtual memory can activate, and slow down performance.

[saphalline]

I agree that more RAM would help, of course, but I see no problem with the specific values that were reported. If it were up to me, everyone using WinXP would have 1GB of RAM or more! I was just referring to the fact that 30MB available is correct for a WinXP system with only 256MB of RAM.

I have 1GB of RAM myself, and when I start up my system, I have a good 750MB available. So yes, more RAM would definitely help.

[ranjit jacob]

i work on my computer with just 64mb of RAM :) . its damm slow !! but i still manage :)

[saphalline]

Ouch! :eek: Man, I feel sorry for you! :( Want me to send you another 64MB stick? I mean, geez! That's bad!

[sitopons]

Thank you all I still will get me extra memory cuz it seems it is running a bit slow. Salutes