6gb memory installed, 985mb useable?

[_Jimlad_]

just got a friends laptop, it has 6gb installed, but it has win7 32bit, so i guess only 3gb would be useable, however it states only 985mb available, it has a crappy video card, so not really sure what is going on, i said format and stick 64bit, but he is not looking to do that if possible

any ideas?

 

[_Jimlad_]

Check the bios if memory is shared with the gfx.

Also, bios update maybe.

And, 3gb might be the max the laptop supports

yeah its a bit odd, as it is a windows8 laptop but he wanted windows7 - im confused myself

 

[_Jimlad_]

very odd, tried loads of stuff, in the end we backed up and formatted and prob solved. stcuk 64bit on and he has a full 6gb