Windows XP 4GB RAM showing 2GB RAM

[miaxou]

I have a new system running on a MSI board capable of addressing 4GB or
RAM. I have 4 - 1GB sticks installed; all of which are recognized
without any problems in the BIOS. When I boot into Windows XP (SP2),
the system properties box displays only 2GB installed; as does the tast
manager. The system information displays the proper amount installed
of 4GB however. Running memtest86 also showed that all 4GB were being
properly accounted for so the issue is certainly within Windows itself.
I read through a couple knowledge base articles on Microsoft's site
related to this but really wasn't able to find what I was looking for.
I did try to use the /3GB switch in the boot.ini, however that didn't
have any affect.

I basically have 3 questions: one, everywhere else I read of people
having similar issues they're still seeing 3 - 3.5 GB showing up
whereas I'm only seeing 2. Is there any reason for this?

The second question is, is there any way to resolve this? I mean,
obviously I would like the entire 4GB to show up, but I know short of
upgrading to x64 or 2003 that won't happen; but at the minimum I would
like closer to the 3 - 3.5 GB mark.

The final question is, even if there was a way to resolve this; would
Windows even take advantage of the increased memory, or would I be
better off just removing the extra 2GB or memory and holding on to it
until I do go ahead with an OS upgrade?

Any help would be greatly appreciated; thank you.

Chris

 

[Bill]

I have a new system running on a MSI board capable of addressing 4GB or
RAM. I have 4 - 1GB sticks installed; all of which are recognized
without any problems in the BIOS. When I boot into Windows XP (SP2),
the system properties box displays only 2GB installed; as does the tast
manager. The system information displays the proper amount installed
of 4GB however. Running memtest86 also showed that all 4GB were being
properly accounted for so the issue is certainly within Windows itself.
I read through a couple knowledge base articles on Microsoft's site
related to this but really wasn't able to find what I was looking for.
I did try to use the /3GB switch in the boot.ini, however that didn't
have any affect.

I basically have 3 questions: one, everywhere else I read of people
having similar issues they're still seeing 3 - 3.5 GB showing up
whereas I'm only seeing 2. Is there any reason for this?

The second question is, is there any way to resolve this? I mean,
obviously I would like the entire 4GB to show up, but I know short of
upgrading to x64 or 2003 that won't happen; but at the minimum I would
like closer to the 3 - 3.5 GB mark.

The final question is, even if there was a way to resolve this; would
Windows even take advantage of the increased memory, or would I be
better off just removing the extra 2GB or memory and holding on to it
until I do go ahead with an OS upgrade?

Any help would be greatly appreciated; thank you.

Chris

Try this link. Belarc will list which memory slots are used and
the values of each. I think the VIA chip set upsets the default
values in Windows.
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Bill