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    32 Bit Vista and Total Ram

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by RickyRix2009, Jan 20, 2009.

  1. RickyRix2009

    RickyRix2009 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok I've heard that the 32bit Vista is limited to only 3Gb of RAM. I've got the 8930G and it's installed with 4Gb of RAM. The system detects the 4Gb. My question how can have the 32Bit Vista detect the 4Gb in the Task Manager without changing to Vista 64Bit?
     
    RickyRix2009, Jan 20, 2009
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  2. Evolution

    Evolution Vox Sola

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    Either one of two things are happening here.

    1) You actually have a 64bit version of vista and you don't know it or

    2) You looked at the system properties and saw 4Gb of ram detected in the computer; however after Sp1 vista 32bit will detect the amount of memory in the computer but it can still only use ~3-3.5Gb.

    I suggest you run winver to see what version of windows you currently have. Press the windows key + R and then type winver in the run command and hit enter. What version(32bit or 64bit) does it show?

    I suspect if your notebook shipped from Acer with 4Gb of memory installed then you probably have vista 64bit.
     
    Evolution, Jan 20, 2009
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  3. TonyZ

    TonyZ Notebook Evangelist

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    The update was called "Vista Service Pack 1"
    Thats what allowed 32bit Vista 'detect' the full 4GB.
    BUT you still only get to use around 3.06GB

    edit ok, nevermind just re-read, "taskmanager" >_<

    seems you may have a 64Bit OS installed and just dont know

    edit again, seems we are as confused as you, look at this screenshot and tell us where you are looking (i'm 32bit vista with 4GB installed and 'taskmanager' reads 3069)
     

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    TonyZ, Jan 20, 2009
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  4. RickyRix2009

    RickyRix2009 Notebook Enthusiast

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    That thumnails shows the same as I'm getting on my laptop. I'm using the 32Bit. Is it possible to have the 32Bit use the full 4Gb or do I need to change to the 64Bit?
     
    RickyRix2009, Jan 20, 2009
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  5. TonyZ

    TonyZ Notebook Evangelist

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    You said your taskmanager showed 4GB :mad:

    no 32bit cant use the full 4GB, hence task manager shows 3GB still, you MUST have 64bit to use it all
     
    TonyZ, Jan 20, 2009
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  6. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    It's physically impossible for 32-bit OS to utilize the full 4GB of system memory. However, it will detect it and read it.
     
    sgogeta4, Jan 20, 2009
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