32bit OS not recognising RAM greater than 4GB??

gamerman4 · 07-09-2009, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComputerGuru64x2

Which proves my point that it isn't wasted but it is still used. It is being used elsewhere.
It isn't like it is just sitting there.

The Address Space is being used elsewhere. The RAM is not being addressed, therefore not accessible.

MixedLogik · 07-09-2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamerman4

The Address Space is being used elsewhere. The RAM is not being addressed, therefore not accessible.

By the Operating System. It can still be accessed by the motherboard. You said it in your article.

If it is a 64bit memory controller

"When something is read from your memory, your computer finds what it needs in the addressing space, it is kindof like an IP address, it represents something in the virtual world. The addressing space is limited by the bit depth of your memory controller, which in most modern systems is actually better than 32-bit, (128 bit i think, please correct me if I'm wrong). The limitation here goes from your memory controller to your OS. If the motherboard memory controller were 32-bit, a 64-bit OS would be limited as well. A 32-bit OS can only register a 32-bit address space which it uses to address places in your RAM and also addresses your system components. According to your OS, RAM is just another component to be addressed and it just addresses everything in the same pool which is why 4GB of RAM is limited by the devices in your computer."

lawson_jl · 07-09-2009, 12:28 AM

You think we could get a sticky on this so everytime someone comes in here we don't have to waste a new post on it. Well then if they did a quick Google search that woudl fix the problem too.

gamerman4 · 07-09-2009, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComputerGuru64x2

By the Operating System. It can still be accessed by the motherboard. You said it in your article.

If it is a 64bit memory controller

"When something is read from your memory, your computer finds what it needs in the addressing space, it is kindof like an IP address, it represents something in the virtual world. The addressing space is limited by the bit depth of your memory controller, which in most modern systems is actually better than 32-bit, (128 bit i think, please correct me if I'm wrong). The limitation here goes from your memory controller to your OS. If the motherboard memory controller were 32-bit, a 64-bit OS would be limited as well. A 32-bit OS can only register a 32-bit address space which it uses to address places in your RAM and also addresses your system components. According to your OS, RAM is just another component to be addressed and it just addresses everything in the same pool which is why 4GB of RAM is limited by the devices in your computer."

Which is why a 64-bit OS would be able to use all 4GB of RAM, because a motherboard memory controller is often above 64-bits. It is irrelevant whether a motherboard can access RAM, why would a motherboard need your RAM? Software doesn't directly access RAM through the memory controller, it accesses it through your OS. Therefore the extra RAM is useless to a 32-bit OS.

gamerman4 · 07-09-2009, 12:42 AM

If you hadn't noticed, I wrote that article on this issue, I did a lot of research. If you have proof that software can bypass the OS and access un-addressed RAM, then please tell me how that is possible and I'll add that to my article.

MixedLogik · 07-09-2009, 12:42 AM

Your missing my point because im saying that is it being used, just not by the operating system. The .75 has no value to me or him while were on the computer.

MixedLogik · 07-09-2009, 12:44 AM

The solution is easy, open up your boot.ini file in the root of your system drive. At the end of the line for your XP installation, add "/PAE" without the quotes. This enabled the physical address extensions which will allow you to use up to 4GB of memory (the upper limit in XP Pro).

gamerman4 · 07-09-2009, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComputerGuru64x2

Your missing my point because im saying that is it being used, just not by the operating system. The .75 has no value to me or him while were on the computer.

What is using it? Motherboards don't use it. The OS can't address it. Software can't use it.

It is "installed". It is able to be "seen". But utilized in any way to benefit the performance of your system, no. Unless you have another definition of used.

MixedLogik · 07-09-2009, 12:51 AM

Our definition of wasted must be two different things. We cannot put exactly 3.25Gb of memory to max the amount of memory in XP. We instead use DDR2 (2x2Gb) sticks to max out the amount of RAM. How can it be wasted if it isn't being used because it isn't accessible. I don't understand what wasted means; when you can access it?

gamerman4 · 07-09-2009, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComputerGuru64x2

The solution is easy, open up your boot.ini file in the root of your system drive. At the end of the line for your XP installation, add "/PAE" without the quotes. This enabled the physical address extensions which will allow you to use up to 4GB of memory (the upper limit in XP Pro).

not even gonna explain it.
http://www.webtlk.com/2008/12/10/ena...myth-or-truth/

07-09-2009, 12:28 AM	#23 (permalink)
lawson_jl Platinum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Illinois Age: 31 Posts: 613	You think we could get a sticky on this so everytime someone comes in here we don't have to waste a new post on it. Well then if they did a quick Google search that woudl fix the problem too. __________________ Any answears I give are free and without warrently. I answear questions from the point of view of a working computer tech because that what I am.

07-09-2009, 12:42 AM	#25 (permalink)
gamerman4 Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Arkansas Age: 20 Posts: 2,831	If you hadn't noticed, I wrote that article on this issue, I did a lot of research. If you have proof that software can bypass the OS and access un-addressed RAM, then please tell me how that is possible and I'll add that to my article. __________________ Intel Q6600 @ 3.00 Ghz Xigmatek HDT-S1283 ASUS P5Q SE PLUS HDDs:1 x 500GB 1x 750GB 1x 1000GB 2 x 2GB OCZ DDR2 1066 ATi Radeon HD 4870 1024MB PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W Logitech Z-5500 there shouldn't be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

07-09-2009, 12:42 AM	#26 (permalink)
MixedLogik Platinum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 539	Your missing my point because im saying that is it being used, just not by the operating system. The .75 has no value to me or him while were on the computer. __________________ Formerly ComputerGuru64x2 CPU: AMD Phenom X3 AM2+ 8650 @ 2.5Ghz MB: Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-US2H mATX GPU: ATI Radeon HD3200 512Mb @ 950Mhz RAM: Mushkin XP Series (2X2Gb) DDR2 @ 1066Mhz HDD: Western Digital 80Gb SATA SC: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio OD: LG DVD-RAM Sata CASE: nMediaPC Black mATX HTPC 200 Enjoy Synthesizers? Effects? DIY? ->http://sites.google.com/site/tech4music/

07-09-2009, 12:44 AM	#27 (permalink)
MixedLogik Platinum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 539	The solution is easy, open up your boot.ini file in the root of your system drive. At the end of the line for your XP installation, add "/PAE" without the quotes. This enabled the physical address extensions which will allow you to use up to 4GB of memory (the upper limit in XP Pro). __________________ Formerly ComputerGuru64x2 CPU: AMD Phenom X3 AM2+ 8650 @ 2.5Ghz MB: Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-US2H mATX GPU: ATI Radeon HD3200 512Mb @ 950Mhz RAM: Mushkin XP Series (2X2Gb) DDR2 @ 1066Mhz HDD: Western Digital 80Gb SATA SC: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio OD: LG DVD-RAM Sata CASE: nMediaPC Black mATX HTPC 200 Enjoy Synthesizers? Effects? DIY? ->http://sites.google.com/site/tech4music/

07-09-2009, 12:51 AM	#29 (permalink)
MixedLogik Platinum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 539	Our definition of wasted must be two different things. We cannot put exactly 3.25Gb of memory to max the amount of memory in XP. We instead use DDR2 (2x2Gb) sticks to max out the amount of RAM. How can it be wasted if it isn't being used because it isn't accessible. I don't understand what wasted means; when you can access it? __________________ Formerly ComputerGuru64x2 CPU: AMD Phenom X3 AM2+ 8650 @ 2.5Ghz MB: Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-US2H mATX GPU: ATI Radeon HD3200 512Mb @ 950Mhz RAM: Mushkin XP Series (2X2Gb) DDR2 @ 1066Mhz HDD: Western Digital 80Gb SATA SC: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio OD: LG DVD-RAM Sata CASE: nMediaPC Black mATX HTPC 200 Enjoy Synthesizers? Effects? DIY? ->http://sites.google.com/site/tech4music/ Last edited by MixedLogik; 07-09-2009 at 12:53 AM.

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