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Not showing all RAM in Win7 HE 32-bit.

I have just built from the ground up a new system with 4 GB RAM.  I have installed Win 7 32 bit.  The bios shows 4G, but windows only recognizes 2.4 Gb.  I have verified the following (stolen from other forums):

BIOS.
You can check with your BIOS manufacturer, about how to enable the maximum memory.


Check the advanced boot options.
1. Go to Start, in the search bar type msconfig and press enter.
2. System Configuration window will open on the screen.
3. Click on tab named "boot".
4. Click on "Advanced Options" and uncheck the box for "Maximum Memory".

I have verified the max memory is unchecked, and found it unchecked. 

For the record, I have the following hardware:
MSI NF980-G65 mobo
4Gb OCZ DDR3 PC1600 (2x2g)
2 nVidia 7800 GT (256 mb) in SLI

From SysInfo:
OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Version 6.1.7600 Build 7600
Other OS Description  Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Manufacturer MSI
System Model MS-7612
System Type X86-based PC
Processor AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 955 Processor, 3200 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. V1.1, 9/28/2009
SMBIOS Version 2.6
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7600.16385"
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) Not Available
Total Physical Memory 2.50 GB
Available Physical Memory 1.47 GB
Total Virtual Memory 5.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 3.77 GB
Page File Space 2.50 GB

Any help on how to be able to use my other 1.6 G would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Answer
Answer
The short answer is that you cannot get the full 4Gb unless you install a 64 bit OS.  There is a discussion here with some of the details.  Depending on your hardware you may be able to get 3.0-3.5Gb recognized.  Even with a 64 bit version of Windows 7 you will need a system that supports memory mapping to get the full 4Gb.

Bob Headrick, Microsoft MVP for 11 years, now a reconnect MVP and HP Expert

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Last updated March 26, 2025 Views 2,452 Applies to: