Solved The 32-bit RAM Issue

[fieseler]

Creepinjesus, have u resolved this issue? If not, what make & model is your motherboard?

 

[Dwarf]

Hi folks,

This thread seems to be getting ridiculous. Here is my take on the 32-bit RAM question. A 32-bit version of Windows can address a maximum of 4GB of memory. This DOES NOT mean that it can address 4GB of RAM as some people think. Remember that the 4GB of address space also includes i/o address ranges for the hardware in your machine and that dependant on the hardware this reduces the actual amount of physical RAM that can be addressed to between 3GB and 3.5GB. To maximise the amount of memory available, you need to enter your BIOS and change a few settings. If you don't use the parallel or serial ports, then disable them to free up resources. Similarly, if you don't have a floppy drive installed, disable that as well (surprisingly, the BIOS in many systems still contains the floppy options even if the motherboard no longer has the interface socket). As regards the amount of memory on a graphics card, this, as far as I know, DOES NOT have an effect on this. Graphics cards are classed as an i/o device, and they typically have an interface width of 64 - 256 bits, although some are available with higher amounts. The memory on a graphics card is for its own private use, although in some systems an amount of RAM can be mapped in for graphics use upto a maximum of the amount of memory on the graphics card (check your BIOS).
Dwarf

 

[dmex]

lol....... cant believe this debate is still going!!

im sure your both right ...if nothing else this should be sticky'd
for ''32-bit address space''

well done though lads you have managed to keep it civil....
im sure you love each other really...

skunksmash,

If Fumz was right, this thread would have concluded a long time ago....

S-

Fumz,

Dont swear here please, I have warned you already about this.

My 2 cents:

32bit Vista can not address 4gb of ram without the boot code switch parameter and can not be used by yourself or programs reguardless...

64bit Vista can address 4gb of ram depending on your motherboard support.

Steven

 

[Fumz]

I've got 4GB of RAM installed, but in 32-bit Vista (as is well known), only 3GB(ish) was available.

For reasons unknown to me, I decided to do a clean install to 64-bit (my computer supports both). So now I have a 64-bit system, but it still only let's me have 3GB of RAM. I feel robbed!

Does it have to be a 'dedicated' x64 system? Mine is a x86...

My only point to the OP, convoluted as it was, was that ultimately, a 3.xxGB Vista system is better than a 2GB Vista system.

@sidewinder, sorry for calling you a name.

@ dmex, sorry about using bad language. I'll take whatever punishment comes; however, it was not me you warned about swearing. This is not my second warning, I just happened to be in that thread. Just want to clear that up so you don't think I'm a repeat offender.

 

[CreepinJesus]

When the physical RAM that is installed on a computer equals the address space that is supported by the chipset, the total system memory that is available to the operating system is always less than the physical RAM that is installed.
For example, consider a computer that has an Intel 975X chipset that supports 8GB of address space.
If you install 8GB of RAM, the system memory that is available to the operating system will be reduced by the PCI configuration requirements.
In this scenario, PCI configuration requirements reduce the memory that is available to the operating system by an amount that is between approximately 200 MB and approximately 1 GB. The reduction depends on the configuration.

great discussion

This shed some light - thanks!

The limit my system has is 4GB, so what you described here applies to me.

Thanks for the help, everyone! And enjoy your debate, Fumz and Sidewinder

 

[dmex]

@ dmex, sorry about using bad language. I'll take whatever punishment comes; however, it was not me you warned about swearing. This is not my second warning, I just happened to be in that thread. Just want to clear that up so you don't think I'm a repeat offender.

Its been resolved, Just dont swear again

 

[sidewinder]

As regards the amount of memory on a graphics card, this, as far as I know, DOES NOT have an effect on this.

Yes, it does. Come on Dwarf, this is pretty basic stuff. Anyone that has 4GB of RAM in a system running a 32-bit OS and a video card with a lot of RAM or two video cards with a lot of RAM will have seen this firsthand. If you have 2GB of RAM, it won't be an issue.

Look here:

http://www.dansdata.com/askdan00015.htm

S-

 

[Dwarf]

Sorry, sidewinder. You are, of course, correct on this point. My brain was still half asleep () earlier when I wrote that post (my excuse, and I'm sticking to it ), although I haven't any experience of this issue since my machine has only 2GB of RAM.
Dwarf

 

[sidewinder]

dmex,

The boot.ini switch has nothing to do with what the 32-bit Vista can do in regards to addressing RAM.

The boot.ini switch alters how much of the 4GB virtual address space available to an application is set aside for the OS and how much is set aside for the application. Without the switch set, the OS is given 2GB and the application is given 2GB. With that switch set, the OS is given 1GB and the application is given 3GB. However, only applications specifically coded for this can take advantage of the change.

In other words, the boot.ini switch has nothing to do with what we are discussing here and just clouds the issue.

S-

My 2 cents:

32bit Vista can not address 4gb of ram without the boot code switch parameter and can not be used by yourself or programs reguardless...

 

[sidewinder]

dmex,

I just realized that you may be referring to the Physical Address Extension (PAE) switch and not the /3GB switch (bcdedit /set IncreaseUserVA 3072). You can turn PAE on in Vista with the following command:

BCDEDIT /SET PAE ForceEnable

This adds the switch to the BCD file (yes, I know boot.ini is not used by Vista).

But, turning PAE on in Vista (any 32-bit version) doesn't change anything in regards to the 4GB address space limit or how RAM is handled by applications. That's why, initially, it didn't occur to me that is what you were talking about.

S-

 

[CreepinJesus]

dmex,


BCDEDIT /SET PAE ForceEnable

Just tried that - still on 3GB RAM . Maybe it is my motherboard after all.

 

[Fumz]

I must give props where props are due.

I had the hardest time wrapping my mind around the memory limitations of a 32-bit OS. This was due to a couple incorrect assumptions I had been holding onto with respect to MMIO mapping.

However, after tossing out those assumptions and going back over sidewinders very simple peg board explanation, I'm now laughing at myself at how I could not see it before.

Side, thanks for walking me through this and sorry for doubting you. Your detailed explanation has really helped me a lot.

now... can anyone tell me how I got this #$#$#$%@ dolly parton pic up? :D

 

[dmex]

dmex,

I just realized that you may be referring to the Physical Address Extension (PAE) switch and not the /3GB switch (bcdedit /set IncreaseUserVA 3072). You can turn PAE on in Vista with the following command:

BCDEDIT /SET PAE ForceEnable

This adds the switch to the BCD file (yes, I know boot.ini is not used by Vista).

But, turning PAE on in Vista (any 32-bit version) doesn't change anything in regards to the 4GB address space limit or how RAM is handled by applications. That's why, initially, it didn't occur to me that is what you were talking about.

S-

Yeah I was talking about PAE, I haven't needed it in over 3 years and forgot the particulars


http://www.vistax64.com/chillout-room/170573-dolly-parton-fan-club-2.html

 

[sidewinder]

Just tried that - still on 3GB RAM . Maybe it is my motherboard after all.

CreepinJesus,

I just realized that, as far as I can see, you have not told us what motherboard you have. I looked in your public profile and it was not there either.

What motherboard do you have? Include manufacturer and model number please.

S-

 

[CreepinJesus]

I think it's an Intel 82801 GBM/GHM.

 

[sidewinder]

I think it's an Intel 82801 GBM/GHM.

That looks to be a SATA controller......we need the motherboard manufacturer model number.

S-

 

[CreepinJesus]

Where do I find this ?

 

[skunksmash]

Where do I find this ?

download this app....

& send us a screenie of the motherboard tab...
this will give us everything we need to know.

cpuz

 

[Dwarf]

Hi CreepinJesus,

Have you got a user manual for your PC? If so, have a look through to see if it mentions anything about memory, specifically the amount of memory that the board is capable of supporting. There should also be the information in there that we require viz the make and model of your motherboard. It could be that you need a BIOS upgrade, but this is not a job to be undertaken lightly and, unless there is a pressing reason to carry out such a task, I would err on the side of caution and leave your system as it is. Not recognising or being able to utilise the full amount of installed memory is not, in my opinion, classed as a pressing reason (especially if your system is otherwise working normally), although others may disagree. Either way, we need the information in order to assist you if this is, indeed, the case.
Dwarf

 

[CreepinJesus]

Ok here we go: