Vista showing RAM at 3GB but have 4GB

[enzu1221]

So I just got a new computer recently for multi boxing and when I started it up, it says it only has 3GB of RAM. I checked inside the system and the 4 chips were there with 1GB each. I also checked the BIOS and it said there was 4GB. But when I run my 4-boxing on my one computer, the Task Manager shows my Max RAM as 3GB.

Anyone know what is happening?

My system specs:
20" widescreen
Inter Core2 Quad CPU 2.40GHz
Windows Vista Home Premium
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX

[Xzin]

Windows Vista Home Premium

Not Vista 64 is what is happening.

[enzu1221]

Is Home Edition placing a limit or something on my RAM? And which version is Windows Vista 64? Sorry, but I know nothing about how the versions affect my hardware. :(

[Xzin]

Found after 30 seconds of Googling....

"The Ultimate edition comes with both x86 and x64 DVDs in the box, with all the other retail editions you only get the x86 DVD in the box, but you can send off for the x64 DVD for the cost of postage & packing. With OEM discs you have to specify which version you want up front, so if you buy x86 and want to move to x64 you would have to buy a new OEM disc."

In short, you have a 32 bit OS but 64 bit hardware. Install a 64 bit OS and go to town with 4 gigs.

[enzu1221]

It looks like my OS/PC is running on 32bit. If I do a clean install of Windows Ultimate, will I be able to run the 64bit version?

[Xzin]

Only if you install the 64 bit version.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid&ID=929605

[yarr]

OK i may be wrong on this but i read somewhere on microsoft's site that you can download a 64-bit upgrade if you already have a liscense for the 32-bit vista.

Again i could be wrong because im a newbie who knows very little about vista (i dont even own vista ^_^)

[enzu1221]

I went out today and bought a copy of the "Upgrade to Vista Ultimate" package and made sure it had the 32bit and 64bit DVDs in it.

When I got home, I popped in the 64bit DVD and it gives me this error from trying to start it on desktop:

"Setup can not run on this version of the Operating System. To install Windows please try booting from the install media."

So I decided to boot the PC from the disc and install it that way. And it gave me another error saying something similar to:

"You must have a genuine copy of Windows to install this on."

And that's where I'm stuck.

[Xzin]

If you want my opinion, I think you were stuck the moment you decided to buy Vista.

[laeelin]

If you want my opinion, I think you were stuck the moment you decided to buy Vista.

At least Vista is getting close to SP1 (if i remember correctly it's due jan/feb)

[enzu1221]

I didn't have a choice sadly. Vista came with my system. They wouldn't let me pick XP.

[Xzin]

You didn't have to buy that system.

[Wilbur]

To be honest, Vista isn't *hugely* buggy, it just takes a bit more configuring to get how you'd like it than XP does.

The only drawback with Vista as far as I can see is the Drivers people have written for it don't take full advantage of some of the new lower level functionality that Vista has.

[Xzin]

The only other drawback with Vista is that it is Vista.

More overhead, little to no compelling upgrades, worse performance. Useless Aero interface. Annoying and thus not very useful security features. Driver problems. 64 bit problems. No downgrade path.

In my opinion, it is still not ready for prime time. And will not be for at least 1.5 - 2 years.

But YMMV.

[Zoroaster]

The only other drawback with Vista is that it is Vista.

More overhead, little to no compelling upgrades, worse performance. Useless Aero interface. Annoying and thus not very useful security features. Driver problems. 64 bit problems. No downgrade path.

In my opinion, it is still not ready for prime time. And will not be for at least 1.5 - 2 years.

But YMMV.

Same reason that I haven't upgraded from XP Pro to Vista. There are too many bugs and not enough good reasons to upgrade. If you are going through a computer store that is more customer friendly they should allow you the option of getting XP instead, I know I chose that option when I got my latest laptop.

[Wilbur]

..Store?

Buy parts, build it yourself, win.

[Robash]

..Store?

Buy parts, build it yourself, win.

QFT, the last time I bought a complete system was around 1988 :D

[Zoroaster]

..Store?

Buy parts, build it yourself, win.

I build all my desktop systems, but laptops are out of my league.

[Wilbur]

Laptops are easy to build its just the parts are harder to source.

[d0z3rr]

Strange! I've been running 64bit vista ultimate for about 2 months. It's been great. I am currently dual booting xp and vista. I decided to keep xp just in case vista didn't work with something.

I've really been enjoying vista. It runs so much better than xp did. Since vista actually uses your memory, it caches alot of frequently used programs.

I've had no driver issues either, played cod4 and hellgate london dx10 with no issues.

The aero interface is really nice, but that's definitely a matter of opinion.

I can't comment on the 32bit version of vista though. But 64bit ultimate is working great. Whenever I go back to my old xp install, it feels like crap!

[Moxy]

I have the same problems with 4 1G sticks in a 64 bit Vista. Haven't found a solution yet.. working on it. :)

[Eteocles]

OH LAWD THREAD NECROMANCY! lolz

[Moxy]

NECRO! WHERE?

[Stabface]

I have the same problems with 4 1G sticks in a 64 bit Vista. Haven't found a solution yet.. working on it. :)

Check for a "remap memory hole" option in your BIOS.
Although if you posted more details about what exactly your computer set up is (mainboard, mostly) then maybe we can help more.



obligatory 'it's a trick, get an axe' here

[Moxy]

Thanks, I'll check. Board is an Asus A8N-E.


*edit*


Whoohoo- that was an easy fix. :)

[Poolboy]

ROFL, props for using search to find an answer/similar prob I'm guessing.... but jebus this was an old thread =)

[Oswyn]

I think the Vista experience varies. I've been using it to game on for the past 9 months and have been lucky not to experience any issues.

Regarding your store bought system. Was the system advertised as having 4GB? Or was that an upgrade you did? I'm working with one of the larger computer OEMs and they are specifically shipping their systems with 64bit Vista if they advertise the system as having 4GB. Apparently has something to do with false advertising. At minimum, there should be a disclaimer stating that you would not get full use of your 4GB.