Incorrect Amount of RAM Listed

[mastavic]

Hello, I hope you are well.

Earlier today, I replaced the default 1GB stick of RAM inside my Dell Vostro 1500 laptop with a 2GB stick of RAM (both are PC2-5300). Since then, however, Windows XP (Service Pack 3) incorrectly lists the amount of RAM I have. When I right-click on My Computer and choose Properties, "2.50 GB of RAM" shows up in the information there. I tried START > RUN > msinfo32, and that the Total Physical Memory is listed at 2,560.00 MB.

I have been searching for answers on Google.com for about an hour now, and although I've learned a lot of random facts, nothing I have come across has worked for me.

Any thoughts? Thank you,
Victor

[RicheemxX]

Just so I can wrap my head around this how much ram are you actually supposed to have? Are you only supposed to have 2gigs and its saying 2.5 or are you supposed to have more?

Also what video card or controller does your lappy have, its possible its allocating more memory to the video side now.

[mastavic]

Thank you for the prompt reply. Sorry for any confusion my earlier post may have caused.

I am supposed to have 2GB of RAM right now. However, my computer is telling me I have 2.50GB of RAM (half a GB more than I actually have).

The laptop is running a 128MB NVIDIA® GeForce 8400M GS video card.

[RicheemxX]

Are you certain you didn't have 2x512mb sticks installed to begin with? or did you remove both of those and add in a single stick of 2gigs? I was just reading your other thread Upgrading RAM Memory for My Dell Vostro 1500 Laptop and noticed you said it has 2x512 is why I asked for the clarity

[Fizur2002]

sounds to me like he had 2x512 and left one in and put a 2GB in with it. That is the most logical answer to this.

[mastavic]

Oh, my. You are completely correct. It looks like I made a huge mistake and am just confusing myself. Thank you so much.

I did have two 512MB sticks of RAM to begin with. I have only taken out one stick (it was easy to get this stick out, whereas the other one is located under my keyboard; horribly designed), and the other I have yet to touch.

I am not feeling very smart right now... lol. I think what added to my confusion is that I installed RAM for two Vostro 1500 laptops today - my own and my girlfriend's. My girlfriend's Vostro 1500 had 2GB to begin with, and I upgraded hers so it now has 3GB. Due to the difference in RAM amount between our two computers, I probably got a bit confused.

In any case, THANK YOU very much for all the help. I'm very happy that there's nothing wrong with my computer.

By the way, your location as listed as "Outside the box" absolutely works in this situation.

[Fizur2002]

what you could do as well is take out your 512 in your machine and replace it with her extra 1GB stick from her machine and have 3GB like she does.

[mastavic]

Thanks for the suggestion, Fizur2002. That is actually my plan. Right now, I'm looking for a screwdriver with a very, very small head so that I can take out the screws that hold the keyboard in place (the second RAM slot for Vostro 1500 laptops are located under the keyboard). Thanks again!

[Fizur2002]

your welcome.