OS (MS XP Pro) not detecting 4gb ram!!!

Shan2nu · 12th February 2010, 13:16

Upgraded my 2GB system with an additional 2GB card. But the OS (XP Pro 32bit) is only detecting 3GB.

I read some articles on 3gb switch and PAE.

Can someone tell me how i can enable 4gb on my system?

Shan2nu

sj_koova · 12th February 2010, 13:23

As far as I know, it is not possible with 32bit OS.
I installed 64bit Windows 7 yesterday and it shows me 3.5gig usable out of 4gig.

sreedotk · 12th February 2010, 13:28

With my limited knowledge of the Systems i was told that 32 bit operating systems can utilise upto 3.5 GB of Ram and 64 bit Operating Systems can detect upto 192 GB of Ram.

Since your system is detecting the 1 GB in the additional 2GB it might be the case. I have also read that VISTA service pack 1 allows the extra ram to be also utilised( I did read that you are using xp pro). You have already read up on PAE and that was the other info i thought of adding up.

Can you not upgrade to xp 32 bit for a nominal upgrade cost. Or better still upgrade to win7 64 bit. A little off topic you can get Win7 on student ID for 30 usd . If you have some one you know whose student eligibility would let you do that then it would be the solution you need.

Sankar · 12th February 2010, 13:40

Nothing wrong with your system. 32bit Windows will only tell you that its got 3GB RAM even if you have installed 4GB memory modules.

Technocrat · 12th February 2010, 13:42

I thought the restriction was 4 GB & not 3 GB?

Shan2nu · 12th February 2010, 13:49

Quote:

Nothing wrong with your system. 32bit Windows will only tell you that its got 3GB RAM even if you have installed 4GB memory modules.

But does it mean its using 4gb ram and only showing 3gb?

Shan2nu

mtnrajdeep · 12th February 2010, 13:52

Yes, it will show up as 3 GB only. If you want the actual 4 GB to show up, you need to upgrade to a 64 bit OS. I think that this is due to addressing limitations of the 32 bit OS. And since it is an addressing limitation, you will not be able to use the additional 1 GB of RAM.

Sankar · 12th February 2010, 14:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shan2nu

But does it mean its using 4gb ram and only showing 3gb?

Shan2nu

Maybe, but i'm not sure.

Memory Limits for Windows Releases (Windows)

Rehaan · 12th February 2010, 14:02

Shan,

I just did the same thing a week back - except i knew that the full 4GB would not be registered with Win XP.

From what i understand, the 32bit XP does have enough headroom for the address space of 4GB of memory -- however, this memory also includes graphics card memory etc (?) - so in the end you get <4GB of ram being used.

Mine shows as 3.5GB if im not mistaken.

Anyway, chances are you aren't gonna use up all 4GB unless you are doing some heavy photoshopping or video editing etc.

What helps the performance a lot is to turn OFF the swapfile/pagefile in the windows settings (ie virtual memory). This prevents the OS from writing from RAM to the HDD all the time.

However, the issue with that is if and when you do get to the limit of your RAM, your program will probably crash

Though i'll say again - its pretty impossible to get to that limit in day to day computer usage. My vitrual memory is always turned off.

cya
R

Shan2nu · 12th February 2010, 14:15

Quote:

Anyway, chances are you aren't gonna use up all 4GB unless you are doing some heavy photoshopping or video editing etc

Thats the very reason i upgraded. Small psd files are no prob but the large ones (especially when i have to design 30-40ft backdrops) that go into 100s of MB (and upto 1GB when the ppi is boosted) take a lot of time to load and save.

Have spoken to my comp guy. Have asked him to load the 64bit version.

Shan2nu

Sankar · 12th February 2010, 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shan2nu

Have spoken to my comp guy. Have asked him to load the 64bit version.

Shan2nu

You will definitely notice an increase in performance when this is done. I have 4Gb memory and was using 32bit OS replaced 32bit with 64bit and theres a noticeable difference in speed.

But i'll not suggest turning the pagefile off if you are into editing large files in Pshop.

vdiatech · 12th February 2010, 14:29

hi, what does the BIOS screen show the memory installed as ?

this would rule out mother board capacity issues, if any.

cheers

Shan2nu · 12th February 2010, 14:33

How do i see the bios details?

Shan2nu

vdiatech · 12th February 2010, 14:35

when you turn your system on, it will ask you to hit a key to enter setup immediately (before windows loads).

it is usually DEL key or F2.

debugged · 12th February 2010, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shan2nu

Have spoken to my comp guy. Have asked him to load the 64bit version.

One suggestion though. If your computer needs special drivers not shipped with windows by default, then please make sure the 64-bit versions are available before you upgrade.

12th February 2010, 13:16	#1
Shan2nu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli - Karnata Posts: 5,533 Thanked: 125 Times View My Garage	OS (MS XP Pro) not detecting 4gb ram!!! Upgraded my 2GB system with an additional 2GB card. But the OS (XP Pro 32bit) is only detecting 3GB. I read some articles on 3gb switch and PAE. Can someone tell me how i can enable 4gb on my system? Shan2nu
	() Thanks

12th February 2010, 13:23	#2
sj_koova BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 673 Thanked: 620 Times View My Garage	As far as I know, it is not possible with 32bit OS. I installed 64bit Windows 7 yesterday and it shows me 3.5gig usable out of 4gig.
	() Thanks

12th February 2010, 13:28	#3
sreedotk BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 247 Thanked: 90 Times	With my limited knowledge of the Systems i was told that 32 bit operating systems can utilise upto 3.5 GB of Ram and 64 bit Operating Systems can detect upto 192 GB of Ram. Since your system is detecting the 1 GB in the additional 2GB it might be the case. I have also read that VISTA service pack 1 allows the extra ram to be also utilised( I did read that you are using xp pro). You have already read up on PAE and that was the other info i thought of adding up. Can you not upgrade to xp 32 bit for a nominal upgrade cost. Or better still upgrade to win7 64 bit. A little off topic you can get Win7 on student ID for 30 usd . If you have some one you know whose student eligibility would let you do that then it would be the solution you need. Last edited by sreedotk : 12th February 2010 at 13:31.
	() Thanks

12th February 2010, 13:40	#4
Sankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Location Posts: 5,766 Thanked: 9,054 Times	Nothing wrong with your system. 32bit Windows will only tell you that its got 3GB RAM even if you have installed 4GB memory modules.
	() Thanks

12th February 2010, 13:42	#5
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,813 Thanked: 2,700 Times	I thought the restriction was 4 GB & not 3 GB?
	() Thanks

12th February 2010, 13:52	#7
mtnrajdeep BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 904 Thanked: 338 Times View My Garage	Yes, it will show up as 3 GB only. If you want the actual 4 GB to show up, you need to upgrade to a 64 bit OS. I think that this is due to addressing limitations of the 32 bit OS. And since it is an addressing limitation, you will not be able to use the additional 1 GB of RAM.
	() Thanks

12th February 2010, 14:02	#9
Rehaan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 24,046 Thanked: 34,080 Times	Shan, I just did the same thing a week back - except i knew that the full 4GB would not be registered with Win XP. From what i understand, the 32bit XP does have enough headroom for the address space of 4GB of memory -- however, this memory also includes graphics card memory etc (?) - so in the end you get <4GB of ram being used. Mine shows as 3.5GB if im not mistaken. Anyway, chances are you aren't gonna use up all 4GB unless you are doing some heavy photoshopping or video editing etc. What helps the performance a lot is to turn OFF the swapfile/pagefile in the windows settings (ie virtual memory). This prevents the OS from writing from RAM to the HDD all the time. However, the issue with that is if and when you do get to the limit of your RAM, your program will probably crash Though i'll say again - its pretty impossible to get to that limit in day to day computer usage. My vitrual memory is always turned off. cya R Last edited by Rehaan : 12th February 2010 at 14:04.
	() Thanks

12th February 2010, 14:29	#12
vdiatech BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 414 Thanked: 10 Times	hi, what does the BIOS screen show the memory installed as ? this would rule out mother board capacity issues, if any. cheers
	() Thanks

12th February 2010, 14:33	#13
Shan2nu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli - Karnata Posts: 5,533 Thanked: 125 Times View My Garage	How do i see the bios details? Shan2nu
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12th February 2010, 14:35	#14
vdiatech BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 414 Thanked: 10 Times	when you turn your system on, it will ask you to hit a key to enter setup immediately (before windows loads). it is usually DEL key or F2.
	() Thanks