Hi GZ Forums!

I am back once again with a smaller, less significant problem this time. I'm really just looking to have a few quick questions answered.

I purchased and installed another stick of 2GB DDR2 RAM today. I now have 4gigs of DDR2 RAM total.

When I right-click 'My Computer' and look under the 'General' tab, I notice it says I have only 3gigs.

Now before you proceed to sigh and whisper "amateur" under your breath, let me tell you I HAVE consulted with Uncle Google, and HAVE received sufficient answers to this seemingly insignificant dilemma.

-HOWEVER-

I appreciate the personable knowledge and expertise of my fellow GeekZoners above all other forums and various informative webpages.

Is this statement true?:

"You have 4GB installed in your system. Windows is "seemingly" only allowing you to use 3 to 3.5GB. This is because Windows is RESERVING 500MB (.5 GB) to 1GB of your 4GB to BOOT from and run NECESSARY BACKGROUND SERVICES as well as your SYSTEM DEVICES (USB,etc). Thus, only 3-3.5GB is accessible by Windows and its applications."

Why does this occur on 32bit Operating Systems? Will my PC recognise and utilise an entire gig of RAM despite it not being listed? Will my PC operate as though it was using 4gigs of RAM even though Windows perversely states it isn’t exactly?

 

Many thanks,

 

~TomHax