So I just got my RAM back from warranty

[SanDiegoPC]

I've been running 4G of Crucial RAM for several months now. Timings 4-4-4-12 and Vista Business ran REALLY good...(see my sig for computer details)

Vista 32 always showed about 3.5G of RAM and I know that's normal.... but read on!

A month ago, Windows crashed and the system would not restart without errors. I pullled the RAM out in pairs and found a pair that the system didn't like. Sent 'em in to Crucial for replacement and I've been using the system with 2G Ram ever since.

Just now, the memory came back and I reinstalled. The system came up fast, normal, and I was happy. So then I look at the device manager and it shows 4.0G of RAM !!!!

Impossible, huh? I have always read that it's a 32-bit limitation that causes 4G to be seen as 3.3G or (in my case) 3.5G

But now, it's reporting 4.0G of RAM and I don't understand .... There have been absolutley NO OTHER CHANGES to this system from what I wrote above. Simply pulled two MB Ram out last month and just now put it back in.

Wierd?

 

[Elstupido]

I think Vista SP1 shows your full amount of ram vs, non SP1, which showed what "actual" usable ram was.

 

[SanDiegoPC]

Originally posted by: Elstupido
I think Vista SP1 shows your full amount of ram vs, non SP1, which showed what "actual" usable ram was.

Oh yea? I am indeed using SP1 but cannot remember when I did the upgrade; before or after pulling the RAM out.

I do know for a fact that it showed 3.5G RAM always, from the day I put it together.

So is SP1 *using* all of the RAM or is it just reporting it? Thanks for any light you can shed on this.

 

[Elstupido]

Not using all the ram, just reporting it. You are still limited to 3.5gb at best, being able to be used.

 

[RebateMonger]

True. MS changed the reporting system in SP1 to show how much memory is installed, rather than how much is being used.

 

[n7]

Open task manager & watch that 4 GB disappear