3GB Switch Does Not Work In XP Pro SP1

[MK]

My system has 4GB of RAM installed, and XP only 'sees'
3GB. I had received some advice (several times,
actually..) stating that I needed to add the ' /3GB'
switch after ' /fastdetect' in the boot.ini file.

I did that and the results were less than pleasing: My
system would no longer boot. The BIOS just kept looping
trying to get the system to boot to no avail. Recovery
console did not work and there was no way to get the
system into safe mode - or even to a command prompt.

So now I have reinstalled everything and am starting from
scratch. Is there ANYONE out there who knows the right
way to get Windows XP Pro SP1 to 'see' more than 4GB of
RAM? Please help!

 

[Dave]

I thought the 3gb switch was only about how Windows
partitions memory between kernel and application space
(and only when used with 3gb-aware applications.)

I don't know if it's going to help Windows 'see' more
total memory, but you might want to look at this URL:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=328269

(Windows XP SP1 May Not Start with the /3GB or /USERVA
Switch)

 

[Peter Hutchison]

My system has 4GB of RAM installed, and XP only 'sees'
3GB. I had received some advice (several times,
actually..) stating that I needed to add the ' /3GB'
switch after ' /fastdetect' in the boot.ini file.

I did that and the results were less than pleasing: My
system would no longer boot. The BIOS just kept looping
trying to get the system to boot to no avail. Recovery
console did not work and there was no way to get the
system into safe mode - or even to a command prompt.

So now I have reinstalled everything and am starting from
scratch. Is there ANYONE out there who knows the right
way to get Windows XP Pro SP1 to 'see' more than 4GB of
RAM? Please help!

Check this:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;328269&Product=winxp

Peter Hutchison
Windows FAQ
http://www.pcguru.plus.com/