Aspire X1430 upgrade from 1x4GB to 2x8GB but only 2.96 is usable?

SquireDude01

Hi,

 

I have ahd my Acer X1430 desktop for less than a year and been using it as a Media Manager for all my movies, music, and pictures, etc.

 

It was running okay but needed and upgrade so I did the following...

1. Upgraded Windows 7 Home 64-bit to Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit... no real performance imporivements but gains additional functionality
2. The USB 3.0 Add-In card failed so I replaced it... no change but all USB itesm were working again
3. Upgraded RAM from 1x4GB stick to 2x4GB sticks... no change in performance and My Computer still reported that only 2.96 GB Ram was uaable
4. Returned RAM as possibley bad - Purchased 2x8GB sticks... My Computer reports 16GB Ram but still only 2.96 is usable!!!

The computer has also bee getting slower and slower.  For Example I used to convert a DVD from its original .VOB files to an MP$ (3hr movie) in about 45 minutes - the same movie now takes almost 9 hours to convert.

 

Anyone got any ideas why (a) the RAM is not beung used? and (b) performance loss???

 

Thanks