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Vista - Vista wont recognise memory ??

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Old 02-26-2008   #1 (permalink)
Neil 261161


 
 

Vista wont recognise memory ??

Hello all, - I've recently bought a new computer with 4 Gb of RAM. I notice
that windows only seems to recognise 3 Gb, and have been led to believe that
this is becase i am using Vis a Home Premium 32-bit Edition. My queries are:

1) Is this just a "recognition" problem, or is the o/s not utilising all the
RAM available ?

2) I have heard that this will be fixed in the (upcoming) Service Pack. Can
anyone confirm this, or should i "bite the bullet" and upgrade to a 64-bit
version?

I primarily use the hi -end spec for gaming, and wont mind adding more RAM
(Vista seems to be a bit of a "memory hog"), but dont particularly want to
upgrade Vista if i dont have to.

Thanking you all in advance for any adice that you can offer.

Regards.



My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 02-26-2008   #2 (permalink)
Mark L. Ferguson


 
 

Re: Vista wont recognise memory ??

Recognizing only 3 of your 4 gigs is expected behavior. The rest is
allocated to other things. If you are wondering about your ram, you should
run the Memory Utility included in Vista (in admin tools)

--
Was this helpful? Then click the "Yes" Ratings button. Voting helps the web
interface.
http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales....htm#RateAPost

Mark L. Ferguson

..
"Neil 261161" <Neil261161@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:B9F5D44E-05E5-4949-A2A4-02F4D6B7CD7A@xxxxxx
Quote:

> Hello all, - I've recently bought a new computer with 4 Gb of RAM. I
> notice
> that windows only seems to recognise 3 Gb, and have been led to believe
> that
> this is becase i am using Vis a Home Premium 32-bit Edition. My queries
> are:
>
> 1) Is this just a "recognition" problem, or is the o/s not utilising all
> the
> RAM available ?
>
> 2) I have heard that this will be fixed in the (upcoming) Service Pack.
> Can
> anyone confirm this, or should i "bite the bullet" and upgrade to a 64-bit
> version?
>
> I primarily use the hi -end spec for gaming, and wont mind adding more RAM
> (Vista seems to be a bit of a "memory hog"), but dont particularly want to
> upgrade Vista if i dont have to.
>
> Thanking you all in advance for any adice that you can offer.
>
> Regards.
>
>
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 02-26-2008   #3 (permalink)
On the Bridge!


 
 

Re: Vista wont recognise memory ??

this is normal with 32 bit OS's since it can address only chuncks of 4 gb
ram or virtual memory theoretically..

however the 1 gb is wasted with 32 bit because various hardware you have
needs to use some memory space addresses for their own function..

since 4 gb is the limit and the hardware needs some for its own memory
addresses you are left with less...

This is especially true with modern graphic cards that need to address lots
of memory space.

The only solution to this is to go to 64 bit.. .. but you will run into
other problems then, probably with drivers
and programs that dont like 64 bit..

for example there is no flash player stil for 64 bit browsers... sad but
true.

--
50 Ways to leave your Vista....

CHORUS:

You just format the drive , Clive
Get a New Mac , Jack
Y'don't need that crap toy, Roy
Just get yourself free
Boot from a *nix, Jix
You don't need to discuss much
Install XP, Lee
And get yourself free



"Neil 261161" <Neil261161@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:B9F5D44E-05E5-4949-A2A4-02F4D6B7CD7A@xxxxxx
Quote:

> Hello all, - I've recently bought a new computer with 4 Gb of RAM. I
> notice
> that windows only seems to recognise 3 Gb, and have been led to believe
> that
> this is becase i am using Vis a Home Premium 32-bit Edition. My queries
> are:
>
> 1) Is this just a "recognition" problem, or is the o/s not utilising all
> the
> RAM available ?
>
> 2) I have heard that this will be fixed in the (upcoming) Service Pack.
> Can
> anyone confirm this, or should i "bite the bullet" and upgrade to a 64-bit
> version?
>
> I primarily use the hi -end spec for gaming, and wont mind adding more RAM
> (Vista seems to be a bit of a "memory hog"), but dont particularly want to
> upgrade Vista if i dont have to.
>
> Thanking you all in advance for any adice that you can offer.
>
> Regards.
>
>

My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 02-27-2008   #4 (permalink)
LesleyO


 
 

Re: Vista wont recognise memory ??

I'm not a real techie person but it may be worth your while getting a 4 Gb
USB2 thumb drive and using that as a ReadyBoost drive. Read about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ReadyBoost

LesleyO

"Neil 261161" <Neil261161@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:B9F5D44E-05E5-4949-A2A4-02F4D6B7CD7A@xxxxxx
Quote:

> Hello all, - I've recently bought a new computer with 4 Gb of RAM. I
> notice
> that windows only seems to recognise 3 Gb, and have been led to believe
> that
> this is becase i am using Vis a Home Premium 32-bit Edition. My queries
> are:
>
> 1) Is this just a "recognition" problem, or is the o/s not utilising all
> the
> RAM available ?
>
> 2) I have heard that this will be fixed in the (upcoming) Service Pack.
> Can
> anyone confirm this, or should i "bite the bullet" and upgrade to a 64-bit
> version?
>
> I primarily use the hi -end spec for gaming, and wont mind adding more RAM
> (Vista seems to be a bit of a "memory hog"), but dont particularly want to
> upgrade Vista if i dont have to.
>
> Thanking you all in advance for any adice that you can offer.
>
> Regards.
>
>
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 02-27-2008   #5 (permalink)
Tim Slattery


 
 

Re: Vista wont recognise memory ??

Neil 261161 <Neil261161@xxxxxx> wrote:
Quote:

>Hello all, - I've recently bought a new computer with 4 Gb of RAM. I notice
>that windows only seems to recognise 3 Gb,
This happens with all 32-bit systems. See
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt/RAM.html for an explanation.

--
Tim Slattery
MS MVP(Shell/User)
Slattery_T@xxxxxx
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 02-27-2008   #6 (permalink)
Nick Middel


 
 

Re: Vista wont recognise memory ??

Hello,

An 32bit Windows XP or Windows Vista has a maximum of 3gb ram.
If you want to use more then 3gb, then you should get an 64bit Windows (and
motherboard + processor, etc)

I dont know anything about the next SP can get 32bit to use more then 3gb
ram (try to look into a changelog?)

Hope this awnser helps you out!

Regarts,
Nick

"Neil 261161" <Neil261161@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:B9F5D44E-05E5-4949-A2A4-02F4D6B7CD7A@xxxxxx
Quote:

> Hello all, - I've recently bought a new computer with 4 Gb of RAM. I
> notice
> that windows only seems to recognise 3 Gb, and have been led to believe
> that
> this is becase i am using Vis a Home Premium 32-bit Edition. My queries
> are:
>
> 1) Is this just a "recognition" problem, or is the o/s not utilising all
> the
> RAM available ?
>
> 2) I have heard that this will be fixed in the (upcoming) Service Pack.
> Can
> anyone confirm this, or should i "bite the bullet" and upgrade to a 64-bit
> version?
>
> I primarily use the hi -end spec for gaming, and wont mind adding more RAM
> (Vista seems to be a bit of a "memory hog"), but dont particularly want to
> upgrade Vista if i dont have to.
>
> Thanking you all in advance for any adice that you can offer.
>
> Regards.
>
>
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 02-27-2008   #7 (permalink)
Tim Slattery


 
 

Re: Vista wont recognise memory ??

"Nick Middel" <nickmiddel@xxxxxx> wrote:
Quote:

>An 32bit Windows XP or Windows Vista has a maximum of 3gb ram.
No. The amount that a system can see and use depends on the BIOS,
video card and other things attached to the system. My computer gets
about 3.5GB, some get only 3.0GB.

--
Tim Slattery
MS MVP(Shell/User)
Slattery_T@xxxxxx
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 02-27-2008   #8 (permalink)
Bob


 
 

Re: Vista wont recognise memory ??

>
Quote:

> "Neil 261161" <Neil261161@xxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:B9F5D44E-05E5-4949-A2A4-02F4D6B7CD7A@xxxxxx
Quote:

>> Hello all, - I've recently bought a new computer with 4 Gb of RAM. I
>> notice
>> that windows only seems to recognise 3 Gb, and have been led to believe
>> that
>> this is becase i am using Vis a Home Premium 32-bit Edition. My queries
>> are:
>>
>> 1) Is this just a "recognition" problem, or is the o/s not utilising all
>> the
>> RAM available ?
>>
>> 2) I have heard that this will be fixed in the (upcoming) Service Pack.
>> Can
>> anyone confirm this, or should i "bite the bullet" and upgrade to a
>> 64-bit
>> version?
>>
>> I primarily use the hi -end spec for gaming, and wont mind adding more
>> RAM
>> (Vista seems to be a bit of a "memory hog"), but dont particularly want
>> to
>> upgrade Vista if i dont have to.
>>
>> Thanking you all in advance for any adice that you can offer.
>>
>> Regards.
>>
See:
The system memory that is reported in the System Information dialog box in
Windows Vista is less than you expect if 4 GB of RAM is installed.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605

My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 02-28-2008   #9 (permalink)
Mad Mike


 
 

Re: Vista wont recognise memory ??

I have the same problem with my PC. 4 GB of RAM but only 3 GB recognized.

If the 1 GB is wasted could I remove it and put it in another PC and not see
any difference in performance?

--
Mad Mike

"On the Bridge!" <On@xxxxxx,Bridge> wrote in message
news:47c4a86f$1@xxxxxx-privat.org...
Quote:

> this is normal with 32 bit OS's since it can address only chuncks of 4 gb
> ram or virtual memory theoretically..
>
> however the 1 gb is wasted with 32 bit because various hardware you have
> needs to use some memory space addresses for their own function..
>
> since 4 gb is the limit and the hardware needs some for its own memory
> addresses you are left with less...
>
> This is especially true with modern graphic cards that need to address
> lots of memory space.
>
> The only solution to this is to go to 64 bit.. .. but you will run into
> other problems then, probably with drivers
> and programs that dont like 64 bit..
>
> for example there is no flash player stil for 64 bit browsers... sad but
> true.
>
> --
> 50 Ways to leave your Vista....
>
> CHORUS:
>
> You just format the drive , Clive
> Get a New Mac , Jack
> Y'don't need that crap toy, Roy
> Just get yourself free
> Boot from a *nix, Jix
> You don't need to discuss much
> Install XP, Lee
> And get yourself free
>
>
>
> "Neil 261161" <Neil261161@xxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:B9F5D44E-05E5-4949-A2A4-02F4D6B7CD7A@xxxxxx
Quote:

>> Hello all, - I've recently bought a new computer with 4 Gb of RAM. I
>> notice
>> that windows only seems to recognise 3 Gb, and have been led to believe
>> that
>> this is becase i am using Vis a Home Premium 32-bit Edition. My queries
>> are:
>>
>> 1) Is this just a "recognition" problem, or is the o/s not utilising all
>> the
>> RAM available ?
>>
>> 2) I have heard that this will be fixed in the (upcoming) Service Pack.
>> Can
>> anyone confirm this, or should i "bite the bullet" and upgrade to a
>> 64-bit
>> version?
>>
>> I primarily use the hi -end spec for gaming, and wont mind adding more
>> RAM
>> (Vista seems to be a bit of a "memory hog"), but dont particularly want
>> to
>> upgrade Vista if i dont have to.
>>
>> Thanking you all in advance for any adice that you can offer.
>>
>> Regards.
>>
>>
>
>
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 02-28-2008   #10 (permalink)
Tim Slattery


 
 

Re: Vista wont recognise memory ??

"Mad Mike" <framyr@xxxxxx> wrote:
Quote:

>I have the same problem with my PC. 4 GB of RAM but only 3 GB recognized.
>
>If the 1 GB is wasted could I remove it and put it in another PC and not see
>any difference in performance?
Yes, assuming you can figure out how to get it out without messing up
your current PC. Many machines have four RAM slots arranged into two
"banks". They insist that the two slots making up each bank have the
same amount of RAM plugged into them. So if you had a 1GB stick in
each slot, you could remove both sticks from one bank, but you could
not remove only one stick.

You'll have to read your system or motherboard manual to find out just
what your motherboard wants, then open the box and see what's actually
plugged in.

--
Tim Slattery
MS MVP(Shell/User)
Slattery_T@xxxxxx
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
My System SpecsSystem Spec
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