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    I want my 4 GB ram recognized!

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by Playa, Dec 17, 2008.

  1. Playa

    Playa Notebook Geek

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    I'm starting to wonder, why in the hell acer installed vista 32 bit, which only recognize 3 gb ram max, in my 8920 while it has 4 gb ram. Or maybe there is a way in vista 32 bit for making it recognize the whole amount of ram. How much is vista ultimate 64 bit actually? Is it worth swapping OS if there is no other way?
     
  2. jjgoo

    jjgoo Notebook Deity

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    If you can install xp on it I would do that.
     
  3. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    XP is still 32bit. You need to upgrade to a 64bit OS for 4GB to fully work. There is no way to use 4GB of RAM in a 32bit OS.
     
  4. dougjr

    dougjr Notebook Consultant

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    Well from a selling standpoint higher numbers usually look better. Also while your machine only recognizes the 3gb some machines, with 32 bit, may actually see around 3.5gb depending on specs. With 4gb you always have the option of installing 64 bit and having the most amount of memory already in place. Whether or not you install 64 bit depends on what you will be doing with the laptop. For most people 32 bit with anything over 2gb should be sufficient with vista. My younger sister has vista 32 bit with 1gb of memory for 2 years and she hasn't had any problems or complaints.
     
  5. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    Well, there was a discussion of how to use the unaddressed memory in a 32-bit OS. Why don't you give it a try, and probably let everyone know if it actually works. :D
     
  6. Porter

    Porter Notebook Virtuoso

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    You may be able to use your 32 bit key to get Vista 64 bit activated. You will need an install disk though. I have done this twice already with both a Dell 1730 and a Dell 1330. One came with Vista 32 Ultimate and the other was Vista Home premium and both installed and activated fine. As far as I know this is totally legal since they activated fine.

    I would make certain that you have all the drivers first and even evidence that someone else has done it and got everything to work first. I doubt you will gain much performance unless you are running out of memory with the 3gb available already.
     
  7. Wishmaker

    Wishmaker BBQ Expert

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    That does not work properly. Tried all the PAE tricks in Vista and memory fluctuates between 3.55 and 3.12. It never stays the same.

    Want 4GB in Vista? Do like me. I just finished setting it up ;). I used my current key.



    Note:

    All these phrases that "You do not gain perfomance" are not accurate. I did not think I will gain any reading people's opinion on NBR. Of course you gain performance. Windows is snappier, thumbnails load faster than on 32, CS4 Master opens in half the time on a 64 bit OS.

    I wonder how many people have used 64 bit before bashing it performance wise? If I have no problems with it, I am NEVER going back to 32.
     

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  8. elijahRW

    elijahRW Notebook Deity

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    if you have vista home premium or any other version of vista that is 32bit, you can get a 64bit version of the version of vista you have and it will work with your key. You can get 64bit DVD's from ms for around $15 last time I checked.
     
  9. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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  10. Playa

    Playa Notebook Geek

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    But how do i find my key? When i bought this lap, it just came with cable n stuff. No installation CDs. Maybe becoz it's already in there, i don't know. And do i really have to back up all my drivers if i want to install new OS? I think some are already in there. Correct me if i'm wrong...
     
  11. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    It'll be printed on the COA sticker at the bottom of the notebook, or you can use the MagicBean Jelly something..KeyFinder.
     
  12. Playa

    Playa Notebook Geek

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    haha..it's magic jelly bean actually. thanks. maybe stupid question, but do i have to pay to get 64 bit installer? or just download because basically i've already purchased 32 bit one...
     
  13. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    Well, downloading will be illegal, since there are no legal links. You can order a 64-bit install disc from the windows marketplace for a couple of 10 bucs, or ask Acer if they can provide you with one (if yes, should be free). Even borrowing one will work.