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    Vista 32-bit supports 4GB ram?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by hanime, May 27, 2008.

  1. hanime

    hanime Notebook Evangelist

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    This is strange, I've always heard you need to go 64-bit in order to see the 4GB ram. Is this true? For some reason, my buddie built a new desktop computer and installed Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit) and he sees 4GB ram. Am I missing something?
     
    hanime, May 27, 2008
    #1
  2. miner

    miner Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    If your buddy has Vista SP1 installed then it will display the amount of RAM installed on the system not just the amount of available for Windows. The limitation still is the same for 32bit. You will need 64bit version to make use of 4GB+ RAM.
     
    miner, May 27, 2008
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  3. hanime

    hanime Notebook Evangelist

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    hanime, May 27, 2008
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  4. firbrdformula

    firbrdformula Notebook Consultant

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    also when you have vista and install sp1 when it boots up you'll get the control panel screen and at leaset mine says 4gb ram i hear it will only do thi after sp1...no tsure i just upgraded from xp to homepremuium vista. and it had sp1 already on disk
     
    firbrdformula, May 27, 2008
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  5. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    It does not matter. MS made it so it shows the actual RAM installed so that customers would stop calling Dell/HP/etc and asking why they didn't get all the RAM they paid for. You still can't use all 4GB.
     
    Greg, May 27, 2008
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  6. L.Rawlins

    L.Rawlins Notebook Evangelist

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    If 32bit computing has as it appears reached its natural plateau, can we now comfortably move to 64bit safe in the knowledge that all of the major players are finally making great strides in this area? Or are we still left severely wanting for support?

    This is probably fodder for a new thread but I was just thinking out loud reading this, and I'm yet to make 'the jump' myself... :)
     
    L.Rawlins, May 27, 2008
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  7. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Not yet. MS still is pushing 32bit as mainstream, and until that changes 64bit will be a small afterthought. I'm sick of program issues with 64bit, and I probably won't be moving any time soon to it again.
     
    Greg, May 27, 2008
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  8. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    Windows 7 will have both, but Windows 7 Server will be 64 bit only. I use Vista x64 and it does a great job with 64 bit and emulating 32 bit. However, if you have any legacy programs that are 16 bit you are out of luck.
     
    atbnet, May 27, 2008
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