Final answer:
Mary's performance issue lies in the limitations of a 32-bit operating system, which cannot use more than 4 GB of memory. Her best option is to upgrade to a 64-bit version of Windows 7 Professional to utilize all 6 GB of RAM, which should enhance her system's performance significantly.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mary is experiencing a common issue with the limitation of 32-bit operating systems. The main problem here is that a 32-bit OS cannot address more than 4 GB of memory, including any memory mapped to other hardware. Therefore, even though Mary has installed 6 GB of RAM on her motherboard, her Windows 7 Professional 32-bit installation cannot utilize more than 4 GB of it. This is a hardware and software limitation, not an installation error that can be fixed through the Control Panel.
The best solution for Mary, in this case, is to upgrade her system to a 64-bit version of Windows 7 Professional. The 64-bit version can address much more memory, easily accommodating her current 6 GB and allowing for future upgrades should she choose to add even more RAM. This will likely improve her system’s performance, assuming her processor is compatible with a 64-bit operating system and her motherboard supports the additional memory. Before upgrading, she should also confirm that her applications and hardware are compatible with a 64-bit environment.
If upgrading the OS is not feasible, other solutions to improve performance could include optimizing her current operating system, removing unnecessary programs, disabling startup programs, and potentially upgrading other hardware components like the hard drive to an SSD.