Ron Schenone

Where Did My RAM Go? I Bought 512MB – Shows Only 348MB?

Posted by on Dec 28, 2006 | 10 Comments

Every Sunday I read the tech column in our local rag, in which readers post questions and the expert responds with their advice. This Sunday was no exception. A reader asked why their system that they purchased was only showing 348MB RAM, when they bought a system that was supposed to have 512 MB.

The expert advice stated one of two things could have happened:

  1. 128 MB RAM stopped working
  2. 128 MB was not installed at all

Hmm… I thought of some other ways the system may not be reading the correct amount of RAM.

  1. A stick of 128 could be loose or the the RAM contacts are dirty. It would just be a simple case of reseating the memory or using the eraser of a #2 pencil to clean the RAM contacts, making sure this is done outside of the case.
  2. How much memory is being allocated to the video display adapter? Some built in video cards use main memory to work. Though 128 MB is high, it is not unheard of

Have any thoughts of your own? Post a comment and share your knowledge.

[tags]RAM, 512 MB, 348MB, misread, reseat, clean, missing[/tags]

  • laserman

    My best friend has the same problem.He has a 512mb ddr ram and his pc shows only 196mb…He tried to buy an other 521mb ram bt his pc does the same thing…

  • laserman

    …what to do???
    any1 help pls :\

  • Palehorse95

    I recently had my custom built P3-866mhz die of old age and decided to just buy an el-cheapo emachine.
    It’s supposed to have 512MB of DDR but only shows 384MB. I believe that the missing memory is allocated for the proprietary video card. If someone where to install a stand alone video card and then turn off the on board video, I believe the “missing” memory would re-appear.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello Palehorse95,

    Thanks for your comments. It is appreciated.

  • Fable

    i think it’s the same problem so can you help me out?
    i have 1GB of ram and my OS shows only 128. How to fix it?

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Fable,
    Which OS are you using? The reason I am asking is that versions before XP, or XP without SP2 may not read the amount of RAM correctly. OR your BIOS may need updating as well to read the correct amount. At boot, are you able to press Pause to see what amount of RAM the BIOS reports? And here is a helpful site from MS: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/108393
    Hope this helps.

  • Scott

    i am running amd xp2000+ and windows 2000 sp4 and 128MB AGP. i am not able to find the solution to this yet even my motherboard supports up to 3GB (3 slots). i installed the new 1GB RAM(1 stick), but control panel-system shows me only 523,760KB. when i run the scans from crucial (RAM maker) site, it shows that i have 512MB also… the only correct outcome (1024MB) is by testing the system with cpuz (from cpuid).
    i tried re-install the RAM, flah BIOS.

    please help!!

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello Scott,
    Check your mobo manual. Some mobo’s require that RAM be installed in pairs. Also, try the other mem slot[s]. I have had some mobo’s where by moving the mem stick, the amount of memory was read correctly. :-)

    If you rule out this issues, may I recommend posting your problem over at the LG forum. I am sure one of the resident experts will be able to assist you with a solution.

    http://www.help.lockergnome.com

    I hope this helps. Ron

  • Amanjha_85

    I have buyed a 512 sdram stick and installed it corectly but my windows xp shows only 128mb of ram…………
    I have checked MAXMEM also it is clear but when i check it,it does,nt goes above 128mb……….
    Whats the prob
    please help me out.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello Amanjha_85,
    Try this. Take out your good RAM and see if the system boots. If it doesn’t boot, the stick could be bad.

    Also, check your mobo manual. Can you mix different sizes, i.e. 128 & 512?

    Hope this helps.