4Gb RAM, 32bit Vista

[LL]

After installing SP1 on Vista, the system properties report that I have 4Gb
RAM installed, which is true.
However it seems that from the Task Manager, it only can handle up to 3 Gb
RAM. So is the other 1Gb wasted? Or is it actually in use for other invisible
purposes?

 

[Jawade]

After installing SP1 on Vista, the system properties report that I have 4Gb
RAM installed, which is true.
However it seems that from the Task Manager, it only can handle up to 3 Gb
RAM. So is the other 1Gb wasted? Or is it actually in use for other invisible
purposes?

It is wasted.

 

[Dustin Harper]

It is pretty much wasted. It is a limitation of the 32 bit operating
systems. It can only address 4 GB of memory. This includes the BIOS, I/O,
video memory, etc. So, you have ~3.2 GB of RAM left in that address space.
In order to fully use the 4 GB of RAM, you'd need to upgrade to a 64 bit OS.

 

[Jawade]

It is pretty much wasted. It is a limitation of the 32 bit operating
systems. It can only address 4 GB of memory. This includes the BIOS, I/O,
video memory, etc. So, you have ~3.2 GB of RAM left in that address space.
In order to fully use the 4 GB of RAM, you'd need to upgrade to a 64 bit OS.

But for upgrade to 64-bit OS, the hardware must even be 64-bit.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Nothing has changed except what is reported on the system properties page.
It now reports installed ram. Type winver in Start/Search and you will see
the memory available for user programs just as before.

 

[f/fgeorge]

After installing SP1 on Vista, the system properties report that I have 4Gb
RAM installed, which is true.
However it seems that from the Task Manager, it only can handle up to 3 Gb
RAM. So is the other 1Gb wasted? Or is it actually in use for other invisible
purposes?

NO it is NOT wasted, yes it is available, just not reported.

 

[LL]

i feel confused seeing different answers. some say it is wasted, some say it
is not.
i heard that the rest of RAM is used for hardware addressing purposes. can
someone clearify on that please?

HP says my notebook can run 64bit vista, but i dont think i'd spend time to
change it fearing that something may not work.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

i feel confused seeing different answers. some say it is wasted, some say
it
is not.
i heard that the rest of RAM is used for hardware addressing purposes. can
someone clearify on that please?

HP says my notebook can run 64bit vista, but i dont think i'd spend time
to
change it fearing that something may not work.

Install Vista 64 only if you have a requirement to use MORE than 4gb. Not
all hardware devices have 64bit drivers written for them. Also, some 32bit
programs do not work as well as they might..

--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

The "shortfall" is reserved by the BIOS for things like memory-mapped IO for
your video card and such. It is in use but not by user programs. There are
two of you using the computer, you and the computer. Don't worry about it.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

There is no 3.12GB limit. Reread the KB and you will see that this is only
an example that the author uses. The memory available for user programs
varies widely according to the BIOS as set by the mobo manufacturer. It can
range from as little as 2GB to 3.5GB (it ranges from 2.5GB to 3.5GB across
my own systems). Throw a pair of SLI video cards with lots of video ram
into your box and you will see the differences.

Yes, it is wasted.

The 32-bit versions of Windows Vista limit the total available memory to
3.12 G.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605
-------
*Report back, please*
[When responding to posts, please include the post(s) you are replying to
so that others may learn and benefit from the issue]

[How to ask a question]
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

The "shortfall" is reserved by the BIOS for things like memory-mapped IO
for your video card and such. It is in use but not by user programs.
There are two of you using the computer, you and the computer. Don't
worry about it.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Bob, it is NOT 3.12GB. You are not reading the article carefully. That is
just a number the author pulled out of the air as an example. The range
across computers is from as little as 2GB to 3.5GB or so.

For all practical purposes there is a 3.12GB limit on a 32-bit system.

There is no 3.12GB limit. Reread the KB and you will see that this is
only an example that the author uses. The memory available for user
programs varies widely according to the BIOS as set by the mobo
manufacturer. It can range from as little as 2GB to 3.5GB (it ranges
from 2.5GB to 3.5GB across my own systems). Throw a pair of SLI video
cards with lots of video ram into your box and you will see the
differences.

Yes, it is wasted.

The 32-bit versions of Windows Vista limit the total available memory to
3.12 G.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605
-------
*Report back, please*
[When responding to posts, please include the post(s) you are replying
to so that others may learn and benefit from the issue]

[How to ask a question]
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

The "shortfall" is reserved by the BIOS for things like memory-mapped
IO for your video card and such. It is in use but not by user
programs. There are two of you using the computer, you and the
computer. Don't worry about it.

i feel confused seeing different answers. some say it is wasted, some
say it
is not.
i heard that the rest of RAM is used for hardware addressing purposes.
can
someone clearify on that please?

HP says my notebook can run 64bit vista, but i dont think i'd spend
time to
change it fearing that something may not work.

:

After installing SP1 on Vista, the system properties report that I
have 4Gb
RAM installed, which is true.
However it seems that from the Task Manager, it only can handle up
to 3 Gb
RAM. So is the other 1Gb wasted? Or is it actually in use for other
invisible
purposes?

NO it is NOT wasted, yes it is available, just not reported.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Bob, the range that I see on my machines starts at 2GB, not 3.12, and it is
significant to users or there would not be postings about it nearly every
day.

3.12 vs 3.5. The difference is insignificant.
-------
*Report back, please*
[When responding to posts, please include the post(s) you are replying to
so that others may learn and benefit from the issue]

[How to ask a question]
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

Bob, it is NOT 3.12GB. You are not reading the article carefully. That
is just a number the author pulled out of the air as an example. The
range across computers is from as little as 2GB to 3.5GB or so.

For all practical purposes there is a 3.12GB limit on a 32-bit system.

There is no 3.12GB limit. Reread the KB and you will see that this is
only an example that the author uses. The memory available for user
programs varies widely according to the BIOS as set by the mobo
manufacturer. It can range from as little as 2GB to 3.5GB (it ranges
from 2.5GB to 3.5GB across my own systems). Throw a pair of SLI video
cards with lots of video ram into your box and you will see the
differences.

Yes, it is wasted.

The 32-bit versions of Windows Vista limit the total available memory
to 3.12 G.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605
-------
*Report back, please*
[When responding to posts, please include the post(s) you are replying
to so that others may learn and benefit from the issue]

[How to ask a question]
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

The "shortfall" is reserved by the BIOS for things like memory-mapped
IO for your video card and such. It is in use but not by user
programs. There are two of you using the computer, you and the
computer. Don't worry about it.

i feel confused seeing different answers. some say it is wasted, some
say it
is not.
i heard that the rest of RAM is used for hardware addressing
purposes. can
someone clearify on that please?

HP says my notebook can run 64bit vista, but i dont think i'd spend
time to
change it fearing that something may not work.

:

On Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:10:01 -0700, LL
<[email protected]>
wrote:

After installing SP1 on Vista, the system properties report that I
have 4Gb
RAM installed, which is true.
However it seems that from the Task Manager, it only can handle up
to 3 Gb
RAM. So is the other 1Gb wasted? Or is it actually in use for
other invisible
purposes?

NO it is NOT wasted, yes it is available, just not reported.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Because the BIOS reserves the memory for device buffering and it is not
shown to user programs (the user). It depends on the devices as to how much
the BIOS reserves.

Colin, the posts you see are questioning why the installed 4GB cannot be
seen.
-------
*Report back, please*
[When responding to posts, please include the post(s) you are replying to
so that others may learn and benefit from the issue]

[How to ask a question]
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

Bob, the range that I see on my machines starts at 2GB, not 3.12, and it
is significant to users or there would not be postings about it nearly
every day.

3.12 vs 3.5. The difference is insignificant.
-------
*Report back, please*
[When responding to posts, please include the post(s) you are replying
to so that others may learn and benefit from the issue]

[How to ask a question]
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

Bob, it is NOT 3.12GB. You are not reading the article carefully.
That is just a number the author pulled out of the air as an example.
The range across computers is from as little as 2GB to 3.5GB or so.


For all practical purposes there is a 3.12GB limit on a 32-bit system.

There is no 3.12GB limit. Reread the KB and you will see that this
is only an example that the author uses. The memory available for
user programs varies widely according to the BIOS as set by the mobo
manufacturer. It can range from as little as 2GB to 3.5GB (it ranges
from 2.5GB to 3.5GB across my own systems). Throw a pair of SLI
video cards with lots of video ram into your box and you will see the
differences.

Yes, it is wasted.

The 32-bit versions of Windows Vista limit the total available
memory to 3.12 G.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605
-------
*Report back, please*
[When responding to posts, please include the post(s) you are
replying to so that others may learn and benefit from the issue]

[How to ask a question]
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

The "shortfall" is reserved by the BIOS for things like
memory-mapped IO for your video card and such. It is in use but
not by user programs. There are two of you using the computer, you
and the computer. Don't worry about it.

i feel confused seeing different answers. some say it is wasted,
some say it
is not.
i heard that the rest of RAM is used for hardware addressing
purposes. can
someone clearify on that please?

HP says my notebook can run 64bit vista, but i dont think i'd
spend time to
change it fearing that something may not work.

:

On Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:10:01 -0700, LL
<[email protected]>
wrote:

After installing SP1 on Vista, the system properties report that
I have 4Gb
RAM installed, which is true.
However it seems that from the Task Manager, it only can handle
up to 3 Gb
RAM. So is the other 1Gb wasted? Or is it actually in use for
other invisible
purposes?

NO it is NOT wasted, yes it is available, just not reported.

 

[dennis]

Because the BIOS reserves the memory for device buffering and it is not
shown to user programs (the user). It depends on the devices as to how
much the BIOS reserves.

How do you define "user programs" ?

All software, Windows kernel or just normal applications?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Anything the user has access to.

How do you define "user programs" ?

All software, Windows kernel or just normal applications?

 

[JW]

A good example is a graphics card. Lets say you have a graphics card with
256MB of onboard memory. The cards drivers needs to reserve 256MB of
available memory address in order for the card to use its own memory.
Secondly the card drivers reserve additional system address space for use to
transfer graphics buffer content from the system and the card. The
additional space reserved for the buffer creation and transfer must always
be available and is therefore not available to the OS to use for any other
application. AFAIK his space does in fact get used when buffers are being
created by the cards driver prior to their transfer to the cards own memory.

Because the BIOS reserves the memory for device buffering and it is not
shown to user programs (the user). It depends on the devices as to how
much the BIOS reserves.

Colin, the posts you see are questioning why the installed 4GB cannot be
seen.
-------
*Report back, please*
[When responding to posts, please include the post(s) you are replying to
so that others may learn and benefit from the issue]

[How to ask a question]
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

Bob, the range that I see on my machines starts at 2GB, not 3.12, and it
is significant to users or there would not be postings about it nearly
every day.

3.12 vs 3.5. The difference is insignificant.
-------
*Report back, please*
[When responding to posts, please include the post(s) you are replying
to so that others may learn and benefit from the issue]

[How to ask a question]
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

Bob, it is NOT 3.12GB. You are not reading the article carefully.
That is just a number the author pulled out of the air as an example.
The range across computers is from as little as 2GB to 3.5GB or so.


For all practical purposes there is a 3.12GB limit on a 32-bit
system.

There is no 3.12GB limit. Reread the KB and you will see that this
is only an example that the author uses. The memory available for
user programs varies widely according to the BIOS as set by the mobo
manufacturer. It can range from as little as 2GB to 3.5GB (it
ranges from 2.5GB to 3.5GB across my own systems). Throw a pair of
SLI video cards with lots of video ram into your box and you will
see the differences.

Yes, it is wasted.

The 32-bit versions of Windows Vista limit the total available
memory to 3.12 G.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605
-------
*Report back, please*
[When responding to posts, please include the post(s) you are
replying to so that others may learn and benefit from the issue]

[How to ask a question]
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

The "shortfall" is reserved by the BIOS for things like
memory-mapped IO for your video card and such. It is in use but
not by user programs. There are two of you using the computer, you
and the computer. Don't worry about it.

i feel confused seeing different answers. some say it is wasted,
some say it
is not.
i heard that the rest of RAM is used for hardware addressing
purposes. can
someone clearify on that please?

HP says my notebook can run 64bit vista, but i dont think i'd
spend time to
change it fearing that something may not work.

:

On Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:10:01 -0700, LL
<[email protected]>
wrote:

After installing SP1 on Vista, the system properties report
that I have 4Gb
RAM installed, which is true.
However it seems that from the Task Manager, it only can handle
up to 3 Gb
RAM. So is the other 1Gb wasted? Or is it actually in use for
other invisible
purposes?

NO it is NOT wasted, yes it is available, just not reported.

 

[IkidUnot]

That's correct, it will vary, based on system configuration, but the numbers
won't be that different. And yes, it all adds (system RAM, graphics card
RAM, etc.).

LL: allow me to give a simple example of why the 32-bit OS just can't
utilize all 4GB of RAM.
Let's stick with decimal numbers (because most of us think better in decimal
than binary or hexadecimal), and let's keep it simple:
Let's say I have 4 digits available, How high can I count? Right: 9999 is
the biggest number I can represent with just four digits. So what if I want
to count to one million? Well, I can't - unless I get more digits, right?
In a simplistic way, this is the basic issue with the 32-bit OS vs the
64-bit OS. with 32-bits I can only go up to approx 4 billion. If I get more
digits - 64 bits - I can count higher.
I hope this is helpful, and that I didn't make you read it for nothing...
--
-me.
Let this forum know if this helps or if you figure out the problem, so
others can benefit.

Bob, it is NOT 3.12GB. You are not reading the article carefully. That
is
just a number the author pulled out of the air as an example. The range
across computers is from as little as 2GB to 3.5GB or so.

On my 32 bit system with 4 GB, I get 3.325 GB of the 4 GB from the
physical memory. Each 32 bit system will be slightly different depending
on configuration.


--
.Joe

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