RE: Windows XP Pro SP2 - 4GB RAM but Windows only shows 3 GB

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance



Perhaps you have different architectures of Windows XP: 32-bit and 64-bit.

The 32-bit OS only recognizes 4 gigs of RAM, no matter how much you have in
there--and subtracts the amount of memory on your video card.

So, if you have the 32-bit version of XP and a 1-gig video card (not likely
on a laptop, I realize), you could have 4 gigs of RAM installed and XP would
only recognize 3 gigs of it.

The 64-bit version of XP does not have this limitation. Therefore, you
could have your theoretical 1-gig video card and 4 gigs of RAM installed, and
XP would recognize the entire 4 gigs of RAM.

So, you might look at possible differences in versions of XP, and/or what
your different computers are using as far as video memory is concerned.

Hope that helps.
--
Boone


"Michel" wrote:

Hi,

I have 2 Dell laptops with same hardawre configuration, 4 GB RAM and Windows
XP Pro SP2.
They have been bought in an interval of one month so BIOS is not exactly at
the same version.
On the oldest one, Windows correctly displays 4GB, for instance in task
manager when the most recent one only displays 3GB.
I precise hat winmsd displays that my RAM is 4 GB in both laptops.

Sorry if it is a FAQ but I didn't find the answer when I searched in this
forum.
Thank you for reading this message and thanks to those that can help to
solve this problem.

Michel

.



Relevant Pages

  • Re: All red screens (???)
    ... on any of my laptops or netbooks in under 10 minutes. ... Windows 7 comes in either the 64 bit version and the 32 bit version. ... your RAM memory options are greater and software ... Also, one main advantage of a desktop, to most laptops / netbooks, is ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Vista 64 New Ram BSOD
    ... Wanted to get 4 gigs ... Also note that you can install 4GB of RAM Under 32-bit Windows. ... Very likely because you don't have the proper 64-bit drivers for them. ... It's one reason why 64-bit Windows is a bad choice for many people. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.vista.performance_maintenance)
  • Re: All red screens (???)
    ... :o) Adela ... one with less than 3 GB of RAM. ... Laptops run hotter, get bumped and dropped, and are very much ... Windows 7 comes in either the 64 bit version and the 32 bit version. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Problem with M2N32 and 4x1GB RAM modules
    ... The IDENTICAL RAM modules that I bought when i ... Every time i sped through the windows boot process and got to ... was one game in particular that NEVER RAN properly with 4 gigs. ... Since the same 2 GB memory was really ...
    (alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus)
  • Re: Is WinXP Sp3 update necessary?
    ... I still have two Toshiba 2595XDVD laptops ... One I put Windows 98SE on it (they came with Windows ... They both came with 64MB of RAM soldered on the motherboard. ... And what makes these netbooks so much better ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)