Hi I just got 2 x 2GB of RAM for X-mas. I installed this on top of my other 2 GB RAM card of the same make and model. When i check system properties, it only shows i have 3 GB of RAM. how the hell did it get that number when I have 3 x 2GB sticks in ? also, when i run cpu-z, it shows that i have 6gb, and it reads each card in the 3 slots.
chuteboxe39 0 Junior Poster in Training
jbennet 1,618 Most Valuable Poster Team Colleague Featured Poster
32 bit versions of windows cant use over 4gb. They will show 3gbish when 4gb is installed but it is detected. This is a known "bug" common to all 32 bit oses (also, running programs cant use over 2/3gb depending on how your system is configured)
chuteboxe39 0 Junior Poster in Training
lol well that sucks. what would you recommend so that i can utilize all of my RAM ? would i have to upgrade to vista or something ?
jbennet 1,618 Most Valuable Poster Team Colleague Featured Poster
Its a bug with all 32-bit editions of windows.
you mighty be able to use a bit more of it by putting /3gb and /pae into your boot.ini file. Google it and make sure you know what you are doing or you might trash your o/s.
You only get the maximum benefit from lots of memory if you run a 64 bit version of windows (and have a 64 bit cpu, of course) but 64 bit windiws has lots of bugs and little driver support.
chuteboxe39 0 Junior Poster in Training
bummer. well thanks for the info
caperjack 875 I hate 20 Questions Team Colleague
I think a upgrade to Vista would make a difference ,would it not ! I may be wrong!!
caperjack 875 I hate 20 Questions Team Colleague
never heard of 3gb switch until i read it here so a google i do did i ever tell you,i love google !!lol
any way seems winxp doesn't support it .
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124810.aspx
then i read this, and it seems that winxp pro can support it ,maybe or im reading it wrong .maybe they are not even talking about the 3gb switch on this site .
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEmem.mspx
jbennet 1,618 Most Valuable Poster Team Colleague Featured Poster
all windows xp versions support /pae and /3gb
but your apps wont use the extra space allowed by /3gb unless they are compiled for it (not many things are e.g exchange, sql server) and PAE wont work unless you have a recent Intel CPU and compatible chipset. /Userva= has the same effects sort of (google it).
Even if you got a 64 bit OS and compatible CPU and drivers, your 32 bit games etc... still wont take advantage of it, i dont think.
Its just the way things are. live with it. Over 3gb is a waste unless you are running a server.
darsh999 0 Junior Poster in Training
Hey Jbnet thanks for all the info ... but now what i want to know is that will Win Vista make use of the extra ram .
jbennet 1,618 Most Valuable Poster Team Colleague Featured Poster
No. Not unless you use the 64 bit version. Just stick with XP.
XP wil run amazingly on what you have atm. No need for more.
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