Vista - RAM Limit? Vista 32-bit (Need More Video Graphics Memory)

[Reading around it seemed the General Forum was more appropriate that the one for Graphics Cards. But please move this thread if needed]

Greets --

Is it literally true that my computer is limited to 2 GB RAM internally?

Reason: I need at least 512MB total video graphics memory. With what I have now I was able to get it up to:

Total Available Graphics Memory: 256 MB
Dedicated Video Memory: 0 MB
System Video Memory: 64 MB
Shared System Memory: 190 MB
Intel Integrated Graphics 945GM

Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit on a Toshiba Satellite A135-S4527 Laptop
Genuine Intel CPU T2080 1.73GHz 1.73 GHz
26GB of free space

(specs added below, too)

Have I have been receiving correct information about RAM limits for my computer?

I found posts in a somewhat heated thread elsewhere on the www
and was prompted to read the original article referenced:

"That 32-bit editions of Windows Vista are limited to 4GB is not because of any physical or technical constraint on 32-bit operating systems. The 32-bit editions of Windows Vista all contain code for using physical memory above 4GB. Microsoft just doesn’t license you to use that code..." ---Geoff Chappell

http://www.geoffchappell.com/viewer.htm?doc=notes/windows/license/memory.htm

Before I started digging deeper I was under the impression, from initial research (the manual that came with my computer is scant & does not say), that I could only ever max out my RAM up to 1GB chips x 2 to = a grand total of 2GB....I read this on many forums & also on the websites selling memory chips. So that's what I bought.

I learned about Readybooost and am now using a 2GB flash driver. What it looks like is happening is that with the 4GB I'm getting about 3.4 GB - when I'm using my laptop with Readyboost activated.

But shortly before I got to the info in the article linked above I started reading that I could add 4 GB internally to get what I have now:

If that's true and/or if what Chappell says is true:

Can I add 2 x 2 GB cards internally and add a 4GB flash drive externally?

Or can I mix and match 1 x 1GB + 1 X 2GB to get 3GB internally (mixed messages about that abound, too!) + a 2 to 4 GB flash drive?

Will a 2GB cards actually fit into the slots? This last time was the first time I've ever added memory to a system. I've no idea if the physical chip 'card' size remains the same or not.

I have no idea how to do what Chappelle is talking about. But if I have more to work with than I thought please post.

Thanks--

FG

I just googled the specs and it does seem like 2 gigs is the max Im not sure why/how you would be able to change how much memory is dedicated to vram. what is it that you need?

ken

Yes. 2 slots - 1Gb each

Quote:

Reason: I need at least 512MB total video graphics memory. With what I have now I was able to get it up to:

Video memory is different from system memory. However, you are not going to be upgrading your gpu on a notebook Intel GMA 950 video card with up to 256 MB shared memory

  Quote: Originally Posted by zigzag3143

FG

I just googled the specs and it does seem like 2 gigs is the max Im not sure why/how you would be able to change how much memory is dedicated to vram. what is it that you need?

ken

Hi Ken & thanks for responding....

Well I won't be able to get any Dedicated Memory - just trying to get that higher number for the "Total Available Graphics Memory."

256 MB is an improvement but I need 512MB.

Really what I need is an external graphics card - but the one that is actually ready for laptops is not compatible with the Intel Integrated Graphics I have on board (seems I'm often seeking random technological help that has not been invented yet -- or is mostly still in the prototype stage ).

Was hoping to wait at least another year before getting a new computer. The one I have now is 2 years old.

FG

I have the same chipset on my dell. why do you think you need 512? Im running win 7 with aero on this machine with no trouble. games no sweat. so how can we help?

Ken

Thanks for your input.

Any insight on this kind of message?:

"32 bit operating systems have an effective limit of 3.2 to 3.5gb of ram (depending on the hardware installed). It doesn't matter how much the system itself can accommodate, the OS itself can't access or use anything beyond that point. See this article for a more detailed explanation.

You can run with 4gig installed, but it will only utilize 3.2 to 3.5 gig..."

Are they talking about 2 slots (2x2GB?) or 3 slots - with one left unused?

Link

But posts like that one are why I was thinking of adding a 3GB flash drive to use with Readyboost + any further increase of system memory that was possible.

And yep, I did read the article he linked in his response ["Clearing Up The 32/64 bit memory Limit Confusion"]. But I fell off the cliff in a few places, not the least of which was where the author posted the math calculations.

~~~~~~~~~~

Well I don't know much about things like World of Warcraft, etc. Though I can tell you I have more of an appreciation for the gaming world now.

In terms of what I'll be doing with the extra? What I'm needing is to be familiar with a new virtual environment or world called **Blue Mars**----How vendor interfaces and other user systems do & will work. I have access but I'm getting crashes when I login.

The required specs are astronomical. In order to know for certain if a custom workaround will help with the integrated graphics issue I'm needing to have a minimum of 512MB Total Available Graphics Memory. I'm wanting to expand my (new) business into 3D World environments. So the sooner I can really see how this particular place works (and as it evolves) the better. It's very early days there and I want to make the best use of that ASAP.

People are falling out of their chairs when they read the requirements. Words like "can't" & "impossible" get bandied about a lot re: all computers that don' t meet the minimums. But some people are reporting getting around them. I'm interested in knowing if the last apparent possibility for my situation will work. It would be a lot easier if I could wait awhile on purchasing a brand new computer.

That's it in a nutshell.

FG

I figure you have something like an Intel 945 chipset. Its built into the mother board. It has 64 internal and uses 256 shared (memory). Even if your computer had 8 gig2 of regular ram it cant use any more than its designed for.

Im in the same boat. I have a chipset (dell) with 256 shared and 4 gigs of ram and it still can only use 3.3 of the four. thats a 32 bit limitation. My video chipset still uses 256 despite the fact that I have 2 gigs free. So I dont game on this system.

Some Laptops have the ability to put a video card internally but its a daunting job. I dont know what lappy you have but if you tell us I can research it for ya.

Ken

Hi & Thanks~

Yes, the chipset I mention is the 945 Integrated. All the info I know is also in my specs link. If anyone would need anything else let me know and I'll find it out.

So you put 2GB x 2 cards in your slots? Is there a reason I cannot? Because even aside from the virtual environment needs I'd like to have more memory. I recently bought 1GB x 2 chips because that's all I thought I could add - for a total of 2GB. If I can get 4GB in there to at least get to your 3.2 actual that would be very nice! Reason: even if I get a entirely new system I'd still keep the laptop I have now.

ive been watching this thread for a while, and looking at the laptop at first inspection, tosh don't seem to like displaying much about what the mainboard can handle regarding frequencies and RAM defaults, upto now, ive found out that the mainboard only has 2 slots for RAM, but what i really need to find out is if the mainboard supports frequencies above 533Mhz, if it does, then you can upgrade the ram to 8GB if you wanted, and windows will report it as 8GB even if you are on 32bit or not, but windows will not utilize anything near that amount.

In regards to the graphics memory, it depends if the chipset allows allocation to change via the GMM application drivers of which you can download and install here if not already installed but I wouldn't hold your breath as most chipsets wont allow allocation amounts to change because the bios locks the chipset from changes that maybe fatal to the operation of the laptop.