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    ram problem with xp32 Bit??need fix?

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by alaa2003, Mar 10, 2009.

  1. alaa2003

    alaa2003 Notebook Guru

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    hello
    iam running xp32 bit
    my total Ram is 4GB
    my windows discover only 3.5GB

    is there is effictive patch to use total ram ??
     
    alaa2003, Mar 10, 2009
    #1
  2. X2P

    X2P COOLING | NBR Super Mod

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    No 32 bit windows can only recognize 3.2-3.5 gb of ram due to restrictions. If yo want all 4 gb upgrade to a 64 bit os
     
    X2P, Mar 10, 2009
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  3. Mr.High-Pinger

    Mr.High-Pinger Notebook Consultant

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    Upgrade to a 64bit os to get all the ram :)
     
    Mr.High-Pinger, Mar 10, 2009
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  4. alaa2003

    alaa2003 Notebook Guru

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    but xp 64 bit only sp2 not sp3
    i canot see service packs update for it !!

    so i asked if there is any patch modify files to accept full 4 GB Ram ?
     
    alaa2003, Mar 10, 2009
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  5. Mr.High-Pinger

    Mr.High-Pinger Notebook Consultant

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    no, 64bits os are the only thing that can solve this.

    either use xp 64bits or vista 64, or even win 7 64.
     
    Mr.High-Pinger, Mar 10, 2009
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  6. AppraiserDan

    AppraiserDan Notebook Enthusiast

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    What this guy said. Your problem can't be patched. You need to install a 64 bit OS to make use of all that RAM.

    There is a "catch" though. Even in a 64-bit OS, unless you run 64-bit programs, you won't necessarily get all the benefit. 64 vs 32 bit has to do with memory addressing. Basically, a 32 bit operating system, processor or a 32 bit program can only see 2^32 (4 billion) spots in the memory. When you switch to 64-bit architecture you allow for more memory addresses.

    The operating system itself, graphics cards, physx cards, and sometimes audio cards, all take a chunk out of your address space. These are memory locations that are being assigned before your RAM even gets a chance at taking some address space. My desktop, for example, is Vista-32 w/ SLI'ed 512mb GFX cards. I have two 2gb Corsair Dominator chips installed. My system only shows 2812mb of RAM.

    2812 + 1024 = 3836mb

    4096 - 3836 = 260mb of junk from other stuff installed / the OS

    Now, lets makes a compelling argument for a 64-bit OS. With a 64 bit OS I can address everything and won't "lose" any RAM. I would have 4096MB of RAM + 1024MB of VRAM + the system crap. Sounds great, doesn't it?

    Well unless the game or program you plan on running is designed with a 64-bit executable, THAT particular game or program will only see the RAM MINUS the VRAM and other crap. Why? The code only sees addresses for the first 4096MB of anything. Even though your on a 64-bit OS, if the program can't see the extra RAM, it is still lost.

    Now, if you have something in mind that is designed for 64-bit, go ahead. Otherwise you are fine with 32-bit and save your money!
     
    AppraiserDan, Mar 10, 2009
    #6