Question about computer RAM

[R1XPH]

My laptop came with 2GB RAM installed. I just bought 2 2GB sticks to take it up to 4GB.

I've put them both in and in the Bios it says 4096MB installed, but it says only 3326MB is available.

Can any one explain why it is that the 'available' amount is less than the actual amount?

 

[Munson]

32bit. It can only address ~3GB. Well...it should be able to adress more IIRC, but it can't.

You need 64bit Vista for it to 'see' the entire 4096.

 

[PinkoCommie]

Technically it's actually 4GB, but thats in total. This includes memory space on any adaptor cards, like your video card for instance.

But, yeah, you need 64bit OS for it to "see" all of it.

 

[172Ben]

my 34bit vista sees my 4gb of ran. There was a service pack released that allowed this iirc.

 

[DrR]

Graphics card could be using it?

Well lack of graphics card.

 

[MDP91]

If your using 32bit, which most likely you are, then even though you have 4gigs, the system will only show and use about 3.5gigs Max,

 

[KDF]

my 34bit vista sees my 4gb of ran. There was a service pack released that allowed this iirc.

34bit huh ? maybe that's whats wrong with Vista

 

[172Ben]

LOL fail!

32bit i ment

 

[R1XPH]

Running XP.

Random machines lol.

Cheers guys

 

[Brazo]

Anyone know if windows 7 will address all 4gigs++???

 

[Munson]

It is defo a 32-bit issue. The Beast v3.epic is running 64-bit Vista and its OS can see 4096. It's a known scenario.