Total memory numbers don't match (8GB)

[Lukas666]

I have an 8GB system with Ubuntu 9.10. And a puzzle.

Ok, 8GB is:
8 589 934 592 bytes


or


8 388 608 kilobytes

(Got these numbers from google). Now, cat /proc/meminfo:

MemTotal: 8192556 kB
MemFree: 6278812 kB
Buffers: 38832 kB
Cached: 849552 kB

System monitor rounds it down to 7.8 GB

These are not rounding errors, please. So between 200-400 MB is gone somewhere (and my video is 1GB nvidia).

Any ideas? BIOS is giving me the right info, i.e. full 8GB.

L.

[u.b.u.n.t.u]

The general consensus which I learned is to go with the BIOS reporting of RAM.

[kerry_s]

I have an 8GB system with Ubuntu 9.10. And a puzzle.

Ok, 8GB is:
8 589 934 592 bytes


or


8 388 608 kilobytes

(Got these numbers from google). Now, cat /proc/meminfo:

MemTotal: 8192556 kB
MemFree: 6278812 kB
Buffers: 38832 kB
Cached: 849552 kB

System monitor rounds it down to 7.8 GB

These are not rounding errors, please. So between 200-400 MB is gone somewhere (and my video is 1GB nvidia).

Any ideas? BIOS is giving me the right info, i.e. full 8GB.

L.

your system is reserving 2% for it's use? 8-0.16=7.84

[Lukas666]

your system is reserving 2% for it's use? 8-0.16=7.84

How do you know that? You just calculated that? Where can I read more about this?

Thanks,
L.

[HappyFeet]

The amount of your ram is correct, and have not lost any. Manufacturers and operating systems use 2 different methods of reporting ram and hard drive sizes. It has been like that since PC's began. Manufacturers consider 1000mb=1gb. The OS sees 1024mb=1gb.

I have 6gb of ram, but ubuntu sees it as 5.8

It's the same on every computer in the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_prefix
"The industry has coped with the dual definitions because system memory (RAM) typically uses the binary meaning while disk storage uses the SI meaning, but there are exceptions like diskettes and Compact Disks. The International System of Units defines no units for digital information but the SI prefixes may be applied outside the contexts where base units or derived units would be used."

[HappyFeet]

your system is reserving 2% for it's use? 8-0.16=7.84

Not true.

[Lukas666]

The amount of your ram is correct, and have not lost any. Manufacturers and operating systems use 2 different methods of reporting ram and hard drive sizes. It has been like that since PC's began. Manufacturers consider 1000mb=1gb. The OS sees 1024mb=1gb.

I have 6gb of ram, but ubuntu sees it as 5.8

It's the same on every computer in the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_prefix
"The industry has coped with the dual definitions because system memory (RAM) typically uses the binary meaning while disk storage uses the SI meaning, but there are exceptions like diskettes and Compact Disks. The International System of Units defines no units for digital information but the SI prefixes may be applied outside the contexts where base units or derived units would be used."

I know what you are talking about and you are wrong.

The number of kilobytes reported by BIOS and the number reported by /proc/meminfo:
are different. And they do use same units.

[u.b.u.n.t.u]

The number of kilobytes reported by BIOS and the number reported by

If you find an answer I would be most interested.

RAM is sold by memory size and the BIOS reports RAM. That is the standard that I learned and I am yet to hear of a better more accepted measurement.

[Lukas666]

If you find an answer I would be most interested.

RAM is sold by memory size and the BIOS reports RAM. That is the standard that I learned and I am yet to hear of a better more accepted measurement.

And I agree. But why Ubuntu does not have access to all the bytes? What's happened to them (the missing ones)? Could it be the BIOS stealing them?

L.

[u.b.u.n.t.u]

And I agree. But why Ubuntu does not have access to all the bytes? What's happened to them (the missing ones)? Could it be the BIOS stealing them?

L.

Indeed, one of life's many riddles!