Vista SP1 RAM problem !!

[Nermin]

Hi guys I got Vista SP1 32bit and I have a strange problem..actually I have 4GB 1066 RAM...now my Vista doesnt wanna show 4GB it shows 3GB...I dont know where is the problem..I need to fix this so if you know please reply...thanks for any help.

 

[skunksmash]

Hi Nermin....... welcome to the vista forum

the problem you have is the 32bit OS, by default a 32bit OS has only 4gb available address space, this includes your VRAM (RAM attached to your GFX card) & other BIOS functions...

there is no way round this...... you will only EVER be able to utilize about 3-3.2gb, in order to utilize the full 4gb + you will need to migrate to a 64bit OS...



SK

 

[Dzomlija]

Hi guys I got Vista SP1 32bit and I have a strange problem..actually I have 4GB 1066 RAM...now my Vista doesnt wanna show 4GB it shows 3GB...I dont know where is the problem..I need to fix this so if you know please reply...thanks for any help.

I concur with skunksmash's assesment.

Even if you did have a full 4GB installed, depending on your motherboard, you will only be able to access between 3.0GB and 3.4GB. The "lost" memory is mapped to motherboard devices (either onboard or via expansion slots) during POST when you turn on your computer.

Because this all happens on the hardware level, even a 64-Bit OS will have this restriction. But then again, you shouldn't be running a 64-Bit OS on a motherboard that does not support memory remapping.!

Unless you motherboard supports memory-remapping, to allow that "lost" ram to be used by the system, the is nothing you can do about it.

 

[Nermin]

Dude I know that but in the start it showed 4 GB Im bit worried because maybe my RAM is broken...I dont know..are u sure this is the main problem...motherboard is abit quadGT

 

[Dzomlija]

Dude I know that but in the start it showed 4 GB Im bit worried because maybe my RAM is broken...I dont know..are u sure this is the main problem...motherboard is abit quadGT

Try running a memory test: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/65361-memory-diagnostics-tool.html?ltr=M

But in order to be sure, run the test continously for 24-48 hours. Sometimes problems only start showing after the 3rd or 4th scan...

 

[skunksmash]

if you type ''msinfo'' into the search bar, then select ''system information'' this should state the amount of physical memory installed & how much is ACTUALLY available for use...

if you had a dead RAM stick your rig would not post....



SK

 

[Nermin]

I did that a few days ago and it didnt show any errors and in the start it was all ok but now its shows just 3 GB..rr im so mad..

 

[Dzomlija]

I did that a few days ago and it didnt show any errors and in the start it was all ok but now its shows just 3 GB..rr im so mad..

Right. Boot into your system BIOS (usually by repeatedly pressing the <DEL> during initial power on).

What does the BIOS report as "Installed Memory" and "Usable Size". There is a distinction between the two.

If "usable" is less than "installed", then there are perhaps some settings in your BIOS that have changed from what they aught to be?

 

[Nermin]

Ok bro hope this would work..I will restart now....God Im sick of this

 

[Nermin]

hah I couldnt find any information about ram memory :S and I run memory diagnostic tool and there are no errors...i opened my computer case and all is ok but the problem is still here ...

 

[Nermin]

Nice machine u got there alexander anyway thanks for help but I will try to get vista x64 if u want i could give you my msn adress..let me know and thanks again

 

[Nermin]

Guys thanks for help but I didnt suceed to fix this...nice machine u got there Alexander.. I could gave u my msn adress if u want just let me know it would be cool because you know lot about computers...thanks again and I will try to get vista x64

 

[kurtsapp]

Dude I know that but in the start it showed 4 GB Im bit worried because maybe my RAM is broken...I dont know..are u sure this is the main problem...motherboard is abit quadGT

I was under the impression that both XP 32bit and Vista 32 bit could only access up to 3 gb of ram + or -???

 

[SCSIraidGURU]

Turn on the memory POST test so it counts memory on power up. See if all 4 GB is counted.

 

[Nermin]

I cant find any information about RAM in BIOS...my motherboard is ABIT QUAD GT

 

[Dzomlija]

Dude I know that but in the start it showed 4 GB Im bit worried because maybe my RAM is broken...I dont know..are u sure this is the main problem...motherboard is abit quadGT

I was under the impression that both XP 32bit and Vista 32 bit could only access up to 3 gb of ram + or -???

See my previous post in this same thread : http://www.vistax64.com/general-discussion/202298-vista-sp1-ram-problem-2.html#post932023

Using Binary Math :

2^32 = 4294967296

4294967296 / 1024 = 4194304

4194304 / 1024 = 4096

4096 / 1024 = 4

32-Bit is thus maxed out at 4GB by it's very nature. The 3GB "limit" is imposed as detailed in my previous post, and too many people often blame the OS, when in fact it is a hardware issue that occurs long before the OS is even loaded. And even then, a 32-Bit program is limited to a max of 2GB only, which is a limitation imposed by the OS, although some seriously specialist programs can request a max available memory of 3GB.

 

[SCSIraidGURU]

3GB is a limitation for an application using the /3GB switch. Most apps use 2GB max.

 

[limneos]

Hey Nermin...

I didn't quite understand what you mean "in the start it showed 4GB".

Since you have 4GB of RAM and a 32bit OS, the correct appearance should be like this:

When you start your computer, your POST screen should show 4GB of RAM.

When you enter windows, you should only see 3GB of RAM.

if this is the case, it's normal. You need 64bit windows to utilize ram > 3GB.

If your BIOS/POST screen shows 3GB, then indeed you have lost 1GB of RAM.

 

[Nermin]

I want to say that when I installed Vista SP1 x32 first time in the "My Computer>Properties" it showed 4 GB RAM now its only 3 GB...is this problem with my system or with my memory...let me know but I want to be 100% sure that my RAM isnt dead...

 

[Nermin]

My post screen appears to fast so I cant see how much memory does it show