Doesn't see that last Gb RAM

[JMF]

I just got a new computer - one of those where the computer shop assembles
it from the components. Has an Intel dual core processor, an ASUS P5W DH
Deluxe motherboard, and 4 gigabytes RAM.

I installed XP Pro on it. (An update version from Win2K Pro).

When I boot up, the BIOS sees all 4 gigabytes RAM.

But when I look at "My Computer" and its properties, it describes the system
as having only 3 gigabytes. As though it doesn't "see" that last 1 gigabyte.

So I'm wondering what this is all about.

Is there some maximum RAM size that XP Pro can handle? Or should I start
asking questions back at the computer shop?

Thanks for any insights,

John

 

[Al Pilarcik]

But when I look at "My Computer" and its properties, it describes the
system as having only 3 gigabytes. As though it doesn't "see" that
last 1 gigabyte.
So I'm wondering what this is all about.

Is there some maximum RAM size that XP Pro can handle? Or should I
start asking questions back at the computer shop?

A 64-bit Windows OS will not have the 4GB limitation.


http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEdrv.mspx



ftp://ftp.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/4GB_Rev1.pdf
1.1 Key Takeaways
.. Due to PC architectural requirements such as motherboard resources and OS
limitations,
desktop platforms using larger memory may be unable to take full advantage
of all memory
populated on the system.
.. When systems with chipsets that support 4 GB or less of system memory are
populated with
the maximum system memory of 4 GB, the operating system (OS) may report a
lower amount
of available memory
.. Standard PC Architecture System Resources require addressing which
overlaps physical
memory below 4 GB:
? System BIOS
? Motherboard Resources (I/OxAPIC)
? Memory Mapped I/O
? PCI Express* Configuration Space
? Additional PCI Device Memory (Graphics Aperture)
? VGA Memory
? Others as included, etc.
.. These requirements may reduce the addressable memory space available to
and reported by
the operating system

 

[Cooler Dude]

I just got a new computer - one of those where the computer
shop assembles it from the components. Has an Intel dual core
processor, an ASUS P5W DH Deluxe motherboard, and 4 gigabytes
RAM.
I installed XP Pro on it. (An update version from Win2K Pro).

When I boot up, the BIOS sees all 4 gigabytes RAM.

But when I look at "My Computer" and its properties, it
describes the system as having only 3 gigabytes. As though it
doesn't "see" that last 1 gigabyte.
So I'm wondering what this is all about.

Is there some maximum RAM size that XP Pro can handle? Or
should I start asking questions back at the computer shop?

Thanks for any insights,

John

See this link for an explanation:-
http://members.cox.net:80/slatteryt/RAM.html

 

[Guest]

Wow, 4 Gigs.
This does not answer you but I wonder how big the Pagefile is? One thing is
sure: if you choose not to use a Pagefile you will see at least 4Gigs more on
your hard drive!

 

[JMF]

See this link for an explanation:-
http://members.cox.net:80/slatteryt/RAM.html

Cooler Dude (and also Al), thanks so much. Indeed it is all explained now. I
was vaguely aware of this kind of thing, but now I know it for a fact.

Fortunately, it's not a serious problem. My main memory hog will be video
production programs, and I think they'll be happy enough with the 3 gigs.
And I'll be migrating over to ... well, I figured Vista ... at some point
and I'm sure that extra gig will be seen by the new OS, when that happens,
at some future date.

Thanks again very much for the insights,

John

 

[JMF]

:-DD

Will, I'll snoop around in the pagefile documentation now, you've got me
curious!

John

 

[bildos]

Please upgrade drivers for your mainboard, especially for chipset.

 

[Tim Slattery]

Wow, 4 Gigs.
This does not answer you but I wonder how big the Pagefile is? One thing is
sure: if you choose not to use a Pagefile you will see at least 4Gigs more on
your hard drive!

His pagefile has nothing to do with this problem. It's inherent in the
way the 32-bit hardware works.