Memory Detection and Use
 

On my Toshiba laptop, the users manual says that the largest amount of RAM it can be upgraded to is 192MB (adding a 128MB chip), HOWEVER I have put in a 256MB chip and my BIOS detects it having 320MB total. When I boot up Slackware it only detects the 64MB that is "onboard" (NOT the 256 chip). In the past I have passed a command to the kernel in lilo and the full 320MB is "detected". My question is, how can I tell if the full 320MB is really being utilized? I feel like when I have the machine with only 192MB (no special kernel command) it is faster than when I have 320MB installed (With the kernel command). I have a feeling that that may be all in my head, BUT I would like to see proof.

I can execute
and receive output that says that the RAM is detected, but how can I test to see if it is truly being utilized? I appologize if this is a stupid question.

You could open a terminal window and run top in it, run watch free -m in another terminal window and open up a bunch of other programs. The values should change and show what is happening.

I took your advice and ran "top" in one window and "watch free -m" in another. Then I loaded a TON of programs. I was actually VERY surprised at how many programs I was able to load before my system had to use the swap file. It made me wonder if my swap file EVER gets used when I am working normally. If I remember correctly, these are the programs I ran...

2 Konsoles
Kedit
2 Konquers
Amarok
Xine
GIMP
Control Panel thing
Kword
KSpread
KPresenter
Kolf
and a few more that I don't remember.

It was really interesting watching the "watch free -m". BTW, the full 320MB IS being used.

It can be surprising to see that happen - there's a good article on Linux memory management at http://gentoo-wiki.com/FAQ_Linux_Memory_Management