Question about my 4GB of RAM

[Imyourzero]

I'm running XP Pro and I know that a 32-bit OS won't utilize all 4GB, but I thought it would at least count all 4096 MB upon the system boot...however it only shows 3008 MB. I thought at first that I might have had a bad module or hadn't seated one of them correctly, but I ran CPU-Z and sure enough all 4096 MB are accounted for.

3008 is just such a weird number, LoL. I guess this is normal?

 

[happy medium]

I believe Xp pro will only reconize 3 gigs of ram. Only Vista or xp 64 bit will see more. Sorry to here that.🙁

 

[SuperNaruto]

In BIOS there might be a memory swap that might push the numbers corretly.. but if you use pci express or dual pcie video, you lose more

 

[Slick5150]

That is strange. While 32-bit XP Pro won't recognize 4gb, I would agree that the BIOS should. Maybe the BIOS needs an upgrade?

 

[LOUISSSSS]

vista 32bit only recognizes 3gb of ram u need a 64bit version to use more than 3gb

 

[theYipster]

Originally posted by: happy medium
I believe Xp pro will only reconize 3 gigs of ram. Only Vista or xp 64 bit will see more. Sorry to here that.🙁

Actually, only XP 64 or Vista 64 will properly recognize and utilize four gigs of RAM. The issue is two-fold: (1) A 32-Bit operating system, by its 32-bit nature, can only map four gigs of RAM and (2) Windows, by its nature, uses one address map for component memory (such as that on a video card) and system memory. Component memory is mapped first, so if you have a 512Meg video card, you will see a further decrease in the amount of available RAM.

The BIOS is a separate issue. Older BIOSes usually have a switch or setting that needs to be modified in order for it to see and map four gigs of RAM. Look in your Bios Setup screen for such a feature. If you have a relatively modern BIOS and can't find such a setting in the setup screen or elsewhere, then you may have a funky DIMM.

Good luck,

Mark.

 

[Imyourzero]

Guys, I know about the OS only recognizing a certain amount of the 4GB (as noted in my OP). Slick5150 is on the right track -- it's the BIOS that isn't seeing all 4GB which I thought was strange.

Perhaps I do need a BIOS update...

 

[0roo0roo]

qusetion is does it matter.
install a 64 bit os.... see if its usable even with bios misreport.
i guess you can always try 64bit linux

 

[Captante]

I have 4gb's installed in my Asus Crosshair 590 SLI & while XP-Pro & Vista 32-bit only see 3.25gb's the BIOS POST reports 4096mb's.

 

[vhx]

Since no one seems to be answering the OP's question and going on about the operating systems.

Yes, the BIOS should be recognizing all 4096MB of memory.
A) Check memory BIOS options.
B) Any BIOS updates
C) Check memory modules and memory slots.

 

[Rubycon]

Enable a feature called "memory hole" in your BIOS - you will see all 4096MB in the BIOS and the OS - if it supports it.

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: Imyourzero
Guys, I know about the OS only recognizing a certain amount of the 4GB (as noted in my OP). Slick5150 is on the right track -- it's the BIOS that isn't seeing all 4GB which I thought was strange.

Perhaps I do need a BIOS update...

I had this problem,there is a BIOS setting that allows it to see all 4GB of ram in BIOS,I think it was memory remapping setting.