Only 2.9 of 4 GB (Install ram) available

[dlcomm]

This question was asked years ago, however I have a Toshiba Satellite L675 with 4 GB of ram installed.
For some reason I can only see 2.9 GB available with 2.5 GB free.

The previous forum discussed changing BIOS settings to allow for a software memory hole and a few other tweaks, however the BIOS on this pile of junk doesn't let me make any changes to the RAM, Power or pretty much any other settings.

Does anyone know of any other way to get Ubuntu to see the full amout of installed RAM?

* I tried running Centos 5.5 and it has too many issues with the video card and Fedora sees the full amount of RAM but requires to many modifications to get some of the hardware / software to work. So far Ubuntu has been the best solution, however I want to run VMWare from time to time and this will limit my abilities.

[uRock]

Hello and welcome to the forums!

Can you open a terminal and enter the following command, then post the output here?

free -m

To create code tags, click the # button int the post tool bar, then paste the output in between the tags.

[sisco311]

Hi and welcome to the forums!

You have to use the PAE kernel. Ubuntu 10.04 or newer should automatically install it for you. If you are using an earlier version you have to install it manually.

See: community/EnablingPAE

[akand074]

That, or install 64 bit Ubuntu. I'm sure your system supports it, but better to make sure.

[dlcomm]

Thanks for all the input.... BTW - I am new to ubuntu but have been running linux since 1995 and have run pretty much ever release from RedHat to Madnrake, Fedora, Centos and Debian (now including Ubuntu).

So far, I am most impressed with Ubuntu even though I was never much of a fan of Debian.


Here is some of the info on my machine....

free -m
             total       used       free     shared    buffers     cached
Mem:          2947        896       2050          0         75        470
-/+ buffers/cache:        350       2596
Swap:        11998          0      11998

uname -r
2.6.35-24-generic

I also generated this report using hardinfo....


Computer Processor4x Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU       M 350  @ 2.27GHz 
Memory3017MB (471MB used)
Operating SystemUbuntu 10.10 
User Name dlcomm (dlcomm) 
Date/TimeThu 20 Jan 2011 05:10:44 PM PST 
Display Resolution1600x900 pixels 
OpenGL Renderer Unknown X11 
Vendor The X.Org Foundation 
Multimedia Audio Adapter HDA-Intel - HDA Intel Input 
Devices  Lid Switch
  Power Button
  
  AT Translated Set 2 keyboard
  Video Bus
  CNF9055
  SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad
 Printers No printers found
SCSI Disks ATA TOSHIBA MK6465GS
TSSTcorp CDDVDW TS-L633C
Generic- Multi-Card

Operating System 
Version 
Kernel Linux 2.6.35-24-generic (i686) 
Compiled#42-Ubuntu SMP Thu Dec 2 01:41:57 UTC 2010 
C Library GNU C Library version 2.12.1 (stable) 
Default C Compiler GNU C Compiler version 4.4.5 (Ubuntu/Linaro 4.4.4-14ubuntu5)  
DistributionUbuntu 10.10 
Current Session 
Computer NameSatellite-L675 
User Name dlcomm (dlcomm) 
Desktop Environment GNOME 2.32.0 
Misc 
Uptime1 hour, 25 minutes 
Load Average2.14, 2.16, 1.65 
Kernel Modules Loaded Modules aes_i586 Rijndael (AES) 
Cipher Algorithm, asm optimized aes_genericRijndael (AES) Cipher Algorithm 
ip6table_filterip6tables filter table ip6_tablesIPv6 packet filter binfmt_misc
 ipt_MASQUERADEXtables: automatic-address SNAT iptable_nat
 nf_nat
 nf_conntrack_ipv4
 nf_defrag_ipv4
 xt_stateip[6]_tables connection tracking state match module nf_conntrack

I hope this helps narrow down this issue!

[amauk]

you're running the 32bit version

You can either run the PAE enabled kernel
(it's a hack to enable >4Gb RAM on 32bit)

or just run the 64bit version

[uRock]

I recommend installing 64bit. It'll be more snappy and it will be able to better utilize your RAM.

Cheers,
uRock

[dlcomm]

Thanks everyone..... since I am one who hates it when people don't follow up on the posts... I will try to not do that myself...

I installed the PAE kernel and it now sees the full amount of RAM! I had a strange issue on the first boot where my glidepad was not working but a proper shutdown and restart of the machine cleared that issue.

I think I will just install the 64bit version in any case but thanks to all for the input and suggestions.

[James78]

I have the same problem. 4GB of RAM, only 2.99GB being shown.. Using 64 bit.. Quite frustrating.

free -m for anyone interested

             total       used       free     shared    buffers     cached
Mem:          3008       2794        213          0        224       1654
-/+ buffers/cache:        916       2092
Swap:         4692         13       4679

[amauk]

I have the same problem. 4GB of RAM, only 2.99GB being shown.. Using 64 bit.. Quite frustrating.

different issue from OP
most likely you have some component (integrated graphics) that's siphoning off your RAM
(although 1Gb seems a bit excessive, but still quick google reveals mobos with 1Gb integrated graphics do exist, so...)