Unused memory

[EricG1793]

I have a ThinkPad L412 that I ordered with 3 GB of memory. The BIOS says that 4GB are installed. I quickly read in an old thread elsewhere that 32-bit OS will only recognize 3GB, if not because of the OS than because of the chipset installed in the computer, or perhaps the processor.

However, Windows 7 Home Premium 32, which I have, will recognize 4GB, but for some reason, it's not. I do not have a dedicated graphics card, just Intel integrated graphics. I wouldn't think that a modern chipset would be limited to recognize just 3GB of RAM.

Spec'ing an L412 now, 4GB of RAM does not produce any conflicts, i.e. tell me to upgrade to a 64-bit OS.

It seems to me as though what Lenovo did is install two 4GB modules and disable 1 GB. What a ripoff, paying $40 to go from 3GB to 4GB using the same hardware. As far as I know, 1.5GB modules are nonexistant (and the tech specs confirm that 1-, 2-, and 4-GB modules are used only). I'm wondering if there is some way to get the full 4GB that I supposedly have physically installed, or if Windows 7 Home Premium 32, the Intel HM55 chipset, or the Core i3 350-M are limiting it.

Any input would be appreciated. :)

[wsparrow]

First of all, what tool/app/whatever is telling you that there's only 3GB? Some of them aren't accurate.

A 64-bit OS is probably not an option. Very few "mobile" processors are 64-bit capable. Only high-end, very expensive, laptops have 64-bit processors. Generally just "gaming laptops" although that's an oxy-moron.

Chances are, on a system using Intel graphics, yours does not fall into that category.

Lenovo didn't 'disable' some of your ram. They can't. But, Windows often gets the amount wrong. I've seen time and time again, windows claiming that 1GB is 800mb for example.

Also, integrated graphics have no memory of their own. So a portion of your ram gets reserved for graphics at the BIOS level. That portion can range anywhere from 32mb to 512mb depending on the motherboard and settings. That reserved ram won't be recognized by your OS.

Combine that with the inaccuracies of windows, and it's not inconceivable that you have, and are using, 4GB. Windows is just telling you otherwise.

If in doubt, flip it over, open the square (not rectangle) panel on the bottom, and check for yourself.

[EricG1793]

Now that I think about it, they probably have 2 GB +1 GB installed. There's also an option for 6 GB that's two DIMMs. Either it's two 3 GB (I know that those don't exist) or 4 + 2. However, the BIOS did say that there are two 2 GB modules installed, so that's why I'm thinking that they're manipulating 4 GB to 3 GB somehow. You're right, I'm probably best off seeing for myself what's in there. BIOS is probably wrong.

And 64-bit Windows 7 was available.

http://www.lenovo.com/shop/americas/content/pdf/notebooks/ThinkPad/L-Series/L_Series_Datasheet.pdf

3 GB and 64-bit options seen here:
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/systemconfig.runtime.workflow:LoadRuntimeTree?sb=:00000025:00002AD6:&smid=9E5FA4A39D3243FDAD62C1007A025F31

There is also an option for 6 GB, but only using 2 modules. Must be 4 + 2.

[wsparrow]

In that case, I'd pull the ram. See how it's laid out (2-2GB sticks, 2-1GB and 1-2GB, etc). And try reinstalling them in a different order. If that doesn't make a difference, run memtest 86+. Right away it will show you how much ram is detected (upper left corner), if that is correct, let it run the test and see if any errors come up.

But there really is no plausible way that they've 'hidden' 1GB from windows, and even if they could, there's no reason to.

Also, when you've got the RAM pulled out, check the frequency of each stick and make sure they're all the same. It'll say on the stickers something like PC2-6400-667, the third set of numbers is the frequency. Or it might be laid out as something like DM8400AE/512, where 512 would be the frequency. If you're unsure, the possible frequencies are:
400
512
667
800
1066
1333

So those are the numbers to look for.

[wsparrow]

I looked into this a little more, and apparently, a number of people have had the same issue on intel chipsets. It's a bug in windows' memory mapping for your hardware. The official recommendation is to install SP1. But that only solves the problem for certain systems. Beyond that, there doesn't seem to be much you can do about it. Microsoft is basically telling people, upgrade your motherboard or live with it.

[EricG1793]

I'm working on installing SP 1 right now.

I'll still pull the RAM just to see what I've got.

Thanks for all the information, I'll post again once I've done these things.

[EricG1793]

Opened it up and there are 3 GB installed; one 1-GB module and one 2-GB module. It simply never occurred to me that unlike modules would be installed from the manufacturer. They are:

Elpida 2 GB 2RX8 PC3-10600S-9-10-F1

Hynix 1 GB 2RX16 PC3-10600S-9-10-A1

Whats the difference between 2RX8 and 2RX16, and F1 and A1?

The BIOS says 3 GB as well, it's in agreement.

However... I looked at the memory information through PC Doctor for Rescue and Recovery (going through after pressing ThinkVantage at BIOS during startup). It, too, says that the total installed memory is 3 GB. However, it says that each stick is 2 GB. The program must be mistaken about the Hynix chip. *Eyes narrow* Either that or they're the ones disabling memory. :p Hehe.