32-Bit OS/4Gb RAM Issue

Method · 03-09-2009, 11:10 AM

Hi there guys, new to the forums! First problem for you!

I know that a 32-Bit OS cant really support 4GB of RAM but atm my computer is only supporting 2.25GB, and ideally the most common is 3-3.5GB max, graphics card is 512Mb 9600GT.

Any help?!

Thanks in advance.

K3rupt · 03-09-2009, 01:28 PM

Running Service Pack 2?

XP?

Vista?

Just a quick heads up, Try to give as much information as possible when you have a problem

Ill keep an eye on the thread and get back to you

mac550 · 03-09-2009, 02:01 PM

All 32 bit OS's will only support a max of 3.25Gb of RAM, if you want all 4Gb to be used then you will need a 64 bit OS

K3rupt · 03-09-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac550

All 32 bit OS's will only support a max of 3.25Gb of RAM, if you want all 4Gb to be used then you will need a 64 bit OS

Careful what you say.

Vista 32 Bit OS Supports 4GB Ram Standard.

You are However Correct in the XP 32 Bit OS Supporting only 3.25GB Ram.

Method · 03-09-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K3rupt

Careful what you say.

Vista 32 Bit OS Supports 4GB Ram Standard.

You are However Correct in the XP 32 Bit OS Supporting only 3.25GB Ram.

yeah i know that the max for xp 32 is around 3.2GB, im wanting to know why i'm only seeing 2.25 GB on my XP 32-bit.

I'm running XP 32-Bit, from wot i remember its SP3 for XP.

tyttebøvs · 03-09-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K3rupt

Careful what you say.

Vista 32 Bit OS Supports 4GB Ram Standard.

You are However Correct in the XP 32 Bit OS Supporting only 3.25GB Ram.

Vista is no different than XP. Microsoft just made a display change, but that has no influence on how large an address space it supports (4GB).

Other 32bit systems supports way more than 4GB by using PAE, though.

Method · 03-09-2009, 03:35 PM

Thanks for the replies guys, was just thinking over lunch in work, does the motherboard have any say in this problem?

Its an OEM Dell c**p from a few years ago and I put 2 x 2gb sticks, had 4 x 512 in previously, would that be too much for the motherboard?

Will probably go purchase some 2 x 1GB 6400 RAM instead.

fmw · 03-09-2009, 05:21 PM

32 bit O/S can address 4 GB of memory. The O/S itself, device drivers etc take up some of that memory so it can't be used by applications. Windows is reporting available memory, not total memory.

Sounds like you have only 3GB of memory installed. If you actually have 4 then some of it may be assigned to video memory or virtual disk or some other purpose. Most systems will have over 3GB available for a 4GB of installed memory. You need to look a deeper.

AlienMenace · 03-09-2009, 06:47 PM

Go to dell support page and find out what your model number and motherboard memory max is. Download the Crucial Scanner and run it. It will also tell you the max. memory.
http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/index.aspx

03-09-2009, 11:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
Method New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 3	32-Bit OS/4Gb RAM Issue Hi there guys, new to the forums! First problem for you! I know that a 32-Bit OS cant really support 4GB of RAM but atm my computer is only supporting 2.25GB, and ideally the most common is 3-3.5GB max, graphics card is 512Mb 9600GT. Any help?! Thanks in advance.

03-09-2009, 01:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
K3rupt Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Australia Age: 18 Posts: 1,401	Running Service Pack 2? XP? Vista? Just a quick heads up, Try to give as much information as possible when you have a problem Ill keep an eye on the thread and get back to you __________________ GigaByte K8N Nforce Pro-SLI AMD 3800+ Socket 939 2048MB PC3200 DDR Matched RAM 960GB Hard Drive [3 x 320GB SataII Seagate's] Albatron 8600GT 256MB New. . .Too me 21" ViewSonic LCD Monitor 6.3 Sound System \|Desktop\| \|Setup!\| \|Inside Computer\| \|Server\| Updated Setup! Check out My Banner! When The Rich Wage War Its The Poor Who Die.

03-09-2009, 06:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
AlienMenace Silver Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 234	Go to dell support page and find out what your model number and motherboard memory max is. Download the Crucial Scanner and run it. It will also tell you the max. memory. http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/index.aspx __________________ AsusTek M3A78 MB, ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler 6gb Patriot Extreme's PC667, AMD X2 5200+ Windsor 65w, EVGA 9500 GT (512mb), Sound Blaster Audigy SE, 1 tb Seagate SATA 3.0gb, DVD player and DVD Recorder DL, Dual Boot Windows XP Pro 64bit, and Windows 7 Ultimate x64 RC1.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New RAM doesn't work	dug987654	Computer Memory and Hard Drives	5	11-14-2008 11:18 PM
Upgrading My Ram In My Laptop - Help? Advice?	Pauly73Drifter	Computer Memory and Hard Drives	4	05-30-2008 09:52 PM
Upgrading My Ram In My Laptop - Help? Advice?	Pauly73Drifter	Laptop and Smartphones	2	05-29-2008 07:41 AM
Is low density RAM faster than high density RAM?	ADE	Computer Memory and Hard Drives	35	09-19-2006 11:40 PM
How much RAM?	Bobo	Off Topic Chat	36	07-28-2006 01:04 AM

03-09-2009, 03:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
Method New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 3	Thanks for the replies guys, was just thinking over lunch in work, does the motherboard have any say in this problem? Its an OEM Dell c**p from a few years ago and I put 2 x 2gb sticks, had 4 x 512 in previously, would that be too much for the motherboard? Will probably go purchase some 2 x 1GB 6400 RAM instead.

03-09-2009, 05:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
fmw Gold Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 474	32 bit O/S can address 4 GB of memory. The O/S itself, device drivers etc take up some of that memory so it can't be used by applications. Windows is reporting available memory, not total memory. Sounds like you have only 3GB of memory installed. If you actually have 4 then some of it may be assigned to video memory or virtual disk or some other purpose. Most systems will have over 3GB available for a 4GB of installed memory. You need to look a deeper.