vista not showing correct RAM

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b0untypure1

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#42572 7-Oct-2009 11:24

hi there,
i just upgraded to 4gb ram (2x2gb)
but when i look inot system properties it only shows 3071mb ram installed.
i googled this and found that 32 bit version of vista keeps 3gb ram and uses the other 1gb for other things.
i am running the 32bit version of vista.
im just looking for advice, is this ok? or do i need to do some ram tuning, or do i just leave it?
looking forward to your suggestions.
thanks =]

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#261988 7-Oct-2009 11:26

That is the way it is. You are limited to 3GB of ram on a 32 bit version of Windows. The other 1GB you have left really does nothing, from what I know.

You may want to consider getting yourself a 64 bit version next time.

New machines out in the coming weeks will be able to support up to 16GB+!

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garvani

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#261993 7-Oct-2009 11:33

Yes unfortunately your other 1gb is sitting there doing not a hell of a lot, you would have been better to buy a 1gb stick instead of a 2gb. As stated 64bit editions can address more than 4gb, upcoming windows 7 home premium can use 16gb, but the professional version can use 192gb!, makes me feel slightly inadequate with my measly 8gb's.

b0untypure1

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#261996 7-Oct-2009 11:40

would increasing my page filing size help?
stupid 1gp doing nothing -.-

LennonNZ

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#262001 7-Oct-2009 11:51

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605 <- from the horses mouth

b0untypure1

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#262004 7-Oct-2009 11:57

it says i could try memory mapping, but it sounds quite difficult :S

heavenlywild

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#262017 7-Oct-2009 12:41

Don't bother wasting your time mate. Next time, upgrade to a 64 bit.

hellonearthisman

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#262055 7-Oct-2009 14:12

http://www.vistarewired.com/2007/03/29/how-to-enable-more-than-35-gb-of-memory-in-32-bit-windows-vista Might help.

rhysb

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#262086 7-Oct-2009 15:10

If you want to read a good technical explanation of this, check out Mark Russinovich's post on physical memory in windows.

UsherR

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#262950 10-Oct-2009 02:17

rhysb: If you want to read a good technical explanation of this, check out Mark Russinovich's post on physical memory in windows.

Thank you for that post Mark Russinovich is one of the best programmers that ever joined the
Microsoft team, as far as I am concerned.

Cheers!

Batman

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#262972 10-Oct-2009 09:06

b0untypure1: it says i could try memory mapping, but it sounds quite difficult :S

you can try anything you want on the current vista, it probably won't work. you need a 64-bit vista to utilise the entire 4 gig. this constitutes reinstalling vista and all your programs, but a 64-bit vista.

PS- memory remapping can only be done if your BIOS is designed to be able to do it. chances are very few bios are programmed to be able to do it. so you need a NEW BIOS when you do a memory remap. and even that MAY not work ...

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#262976 10-Oct-2009 09:32

now having said that, i have something that baffles me.

i have a sony vaio that can support 4gb ram (as advertised). ok so on the 32 bit vista when i chuck in 3gb it shows 2.86GB usable ram.

but i've installed a 64-bit vista, a 64-bit windows 7 RC and it still shows 2.86GB usable ram. so i complained to sony and they say they because dont support a 64-bit OS they wont help me out. they say the bios shows the 3GB so they have no case to answer. what the?! i believe mine needs a memory remap but sony say they cant be bothered - tells me to buy another laptop that supports a 64 bit OS and thus i'll be able to use the ram. *&^%!

hellonearthisman

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#262983 10-Oct-2009 10:01

joker97: now having said that, i have something that baffles me.

i have a sony vaio that can support 4gb ram (as advertised). ok so on the 32 bit vista when i chuck in 3gb it shows 2.86GB usable ram.

but i've installed a 64-bit vista, a 64-bit windows 7 RC and it still shows 2.86GB usable ram. so i complained to sony and they say they because dont support a 64-bit OS they wont help me out. they say the bios shows the 3GB so they have no case to answer. what the?! i believe mine needs a memory remap but sony say they cant be bothered - tells me to buy another laptop that supports a 64 bit OS and thus i'll be able to use the ram. *&^%!

Have you tryed running linux on that to see if the hardware can map the ram. If it doesn't support the 4GB ram as advertised then you should be able to get your money back or a store credit for something that works as advertised.

Some of the 3GB ram could be used by the laptops videocard ie 128MB

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#263130 10-Oct-2009 19:25

hellonearthisman: Some of the 3GB ram could be used by the laptops videocard ie 128MB

should it take up MY ram? do you mean that ALL systems with onboard graphics will have some ram locked out? if that's the case then i have nothing to complain about, but if there are systems with onboard graphics that do NOT have ram locked out on 64-bit OS, i feel cheated! perhaps i should try 4 gigs and see what happens - if i get 3.86GB usable then that's fine, but i have a feeling it's gonna be like 3.2G usable and nearly a gig locked out.

b0untypure1, i feel your pain!

Regs

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#263139 10-Oct-2009 19:46

if you use things like virtual server, virtual pc, sql server then enabling memory options like AWE and PAE can allow those apps to use the extra RAM even though the extra ram doesnt show up in task manager. if you're not using apps that take advantage of it then you're probably not going to see a difference

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jetbuster

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#263148 10-Oct-2009 20:07

there are startup options/tuners for some games that can push out extra ram usage but i dotn see a real use for it, if you where gonna get 64 bit vista let me suggest you have alot of space for the defult drive. otherwise hang out for win7 :3

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