laptop has 2gb RAM but never uses more than 1 GB

rupen · 11-03-2009, 10:43 AM

Hi,
I had purchased sony VGN-NR120E with originally 1gb of ram but i upgraded it to 2 gb. The task manager shows that RAM usage never goes above 956 MB. I'm running Windows 7. Would anyone please tell me why that happens?

Thanks

**Tyree** · 11-03-2009, 10:52 AM

Does the Properties show 2GB of RAM. Does the Bios recognize 2GB of RAM?
Is the new RAM identical in brand and specs as the old RAM?
Perhaps the apps you are using never requires more than 956MB?

**greenbrucelee** · 11-03-2009, 11:02 AM

is video sharing switched on? laptops usually share the ram with the graphics card since graphics cards in laptops are generally low memory.

rupen · 11-03-2009, 02:24 PM

yes, properties does show that i've installed 2GB ram. and its the same that is compatible with my laptop. however i'm not sure if the video sharing switch is on or not?

lildragon555 · 11-03-2009, 07:25 PM

You probably have 2 GB of RAM installed, but 1 GB is used for applications and Windows, while the other 1 GB is used for Video.

I got 4 GB installed and my computer uses only 2 GB

11-03-2009, 10:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
rupen Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3 OS: windows xp	laptop has 2gb RAM but never uses more than 1 GB Hi, I had purchased sony VGN-NR120E with originally 1gb of ram but i upgraded it to 2 gb. The task manager shows that RAM usage never goes above 956 MB. I'm running Windows 7. Would anyone please tell me why that happens? Thanks

11-03-2009, 10:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,393 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: laptop has 2gb RAM but never uses more than 1 GB Does the Properties show 2GB of RAM. Does the Bios recognize 2GB of RAM? Is the new RAM identical in brand and specs as the old RAM? Perhaps the apps you are using never requires more than 956MB? __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

11-03-2009, 11:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,778 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: laptop has 2gb RAM but never uses more than 1 GB is video sharing switched on? laptops usually share the ram with the graphics card since graphics cards in laptops are generally low memory. __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified

11-03-2009, 02:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
rupen Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3 OS: windows xp	Re: laptop has 2gb RAM but never uses more than 1 GB yes, properties does show that i've installed 2GB ram. and its the same that is compatible with my laptop. however i'm not sure if the video sharing switch is on or not?

11-03-2009, 07:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
lildragon555 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 79 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium	Re: laptop has 2gb RAM but never uses more than 1 GB You probably have 2 GB of RAM installed, but 1 GB is used for applications and Windows, while the other 1 GB is used for Video. I got 4 GB installed and my computer uses only 2 GB