Just got my 4gb of RAM. I thought Vista wasn't supposed to detect it all...

Like the title says, I just received my 4gb of ram for my Dell 1520. I'm running 32bit Vista Ultimate. I started a thread last week discussing this upgrade. I was under the impression that Vista would only recognize 3 or 3.5 gb of ram. However, my OS is showing 4gigs of ram. Whats up with this?

 

It shows the amount of RAM physically installed. Open up the task manager and you'll see the amount actually available for use.

 

SP1 detects 4GB of RAM, but you can still only use the 3GB.

 

I guess Vista SP1 x86-32 does show 4GB in the system info, but doesn't use the whole 4GB.
Check the memory page in CPU-Z or TaskMgr. Microsoft

 

Vista SP1 reports the RAM installed, not the RAM it can address now.

 

after doing a quick calculation, according to task manager i'm using 3.75gb

 

Yea, what Greg said. There's what you have, and then there's what you can use.

You'll probably get about 3.2 GB

 

3.75 ?! Screenshot ?

 

What config of notebook do you have? Its, well, quite amazing you only need 256MB of addressing space for your system!

 

Here's a screenshot. According to task manager there is a total of 3837mb ram.

 

the machine is a dell inspiron 1520 (check the sig)

 

Nice! Gotta love that...

 

agreenbhm and what IGP do you have? If you have IGP that is what is going on! If not? I have no clue.

 

I assume you're asking about the graphics card? I have the 128mb Nvidia 8400m gs

 

Cross-check in CPU-Z or PC Wizard.

 

agreenbhm you do have discrete graphics so my hunch is off base. But the issue? Well you don't have the memory that is reported. Why it reports different? I don't know? But you don't have. Vista SP1 adjusted a problem that was not a problem because they got sick and tired of explaining. If your computer reported 5GB of RAM? Would you believe? You may have found a software defect.

 

Attached are the screenshots of cpuz. Looks like it's registering 4 gb. IDK what info you're looking for in this. The "Slot 2" page for the memory is identical to the "slot 1" page so i didn't include it.

 

Well, were trying to learn a little here. Your system seems to have an unusually high amount of RAM available. Especially with a 8400GS card installed.

 

Thats really useless man. Considering Memory-Mapping and stuff, I guess thats one screwed up OS you've got Have fun with it !!

 

attached is the dump file i got from cpuz. i saved it as .doc so i could get past the file size limit imposed on .txt files from notebookreview.com. either open it up in word or notepad.

 

Just to make very clear. OP does not have the RAM reported! He has less than 3.5GB. It is not like this is the resurrection of Christ?

You do not have. Now at this point let us deal with why it is misreported? That is what is going on. And on that I don't know? Not sure if I care? But the OS already falsely reports the amount of RAM so any derivative of that false amount is equally false? Is anyone feeling me on this? Seems straight forward to me?

 

CPU-Z will tell you what you have rather windows have used it or not. Do you have 3DMARK06 on your system? Just get into it and tell us what it says you have for system specifications, without running the benchmark. Actually, any of the 3DMARK test should work in telling what is about to be used in the calculation of the benchmark.

The only thing telling me I have 4GB of RAM is CPU-Z.


When you right click on My Computer and go into properties (system), does the basic information about your computer show 32bit operating system?

 

3dmark06 says 3840mb ram, which equals 3.75gb

 

Wow!

Now are you sure you're using a 32bit operating system? start-control panel-system and see what it says about which version you have?

 

yup, i'm using vista ultimate 32bit

 

I wished my Vista Ultimate 32bit would read my 4GB ram, I’m jealous!:cry:

 

do you have sp1? maybe that has something to do with it, as someone earlier was saying

 

It does. But sadly many feel it matters. It does not. The OS can still only make use of under 3.5GB. I really feel like this point is being missed in this entire thread?

 

powerpack, could you please explain in lamens terms why that is.

 

No I don’t have it, downloading SP1 now thanks! +1 rep to you sir!

 

Lamens terms? RAM needs memory addresses. With a 32bit OS you have 2^32=4GB's? Well more than RAM needs these addresses. If other things are using those addresses RAM can't use? So you are stuck at under 3.5. MS says 3.2 is the max for Vista for RAM? You figure out?

Oh god the new confusion!

 

Actually, you are stuck at 4GB - (Total System Addresses Needed). It could be anywhere between 2.5GB and 3.75GB, depending on system configuration.

 

And I did not explain in what way?

Confused?

 

You said there was a hard limit of 3.2GB or 3.5GB me thinks. I'm thinking this 3.75GB amount of this guy's laptop is legit.

 

Sorry Greg on this one you missied the boat. And you of all people thinking his 3.7GB is legit? I don't know? Have some starch or something? I think you are having a diabetic brain lock?

 

SP1 installed!


System properties showed 4GB, but task manager and 3dmark06 showed only 3GB being used. Its ok, I needed to upgrade to SP1 anyway. You’re lucky!

 

What do you mean lucky? I have been trying to express this entire thread? Lucky? OP does not have this RAM? If it said 20GB would think he was extra lucky? He has less than 3.5GB? What is baffling confusing or otherwise mystic is crap! Get it? OP does not have 3.8GB on a 32bit OS? Understood? If that makes him lucky? Then so be it?

 

agreenbhm, can you do me a favor. Can you please fill up the memory, by opening as much application as possible, and look at the amount of memory used on task manager. In other words, fill up the RAM.

By the way, I think it's awesome...after this, you just need to tell me what magic word you used when you purchased the system.

 

Seriously all you guys need is magic dust? And I never would of said before but I guess Greg is on board?

Have a mother ****ing ball! You guys are nuts.

 

LOL! I just saw this thread.

No worries Powerpack, I'm on your side. I think it's an OS error or bug of some sort, there's no possible way a 32bit OS can detect more than 3.5GB memory.

 

lol, i thnk its funny that PowerP is getting so frustrated ahhhh....

 

ROFLMAO!!



agreenbhm,

You’re so lucky. Now that I know what the 32bit system brings, time for me to test my 64bit operating system, I want my 4GB of RAM back!!

 

And I still don't get what PowerP is frustrated about...is he jelous or something?

 

its a bit frustrating when you say one thing that you know is correct, but people just jump over it and refuse to accept it. The 3.5gb memory issue is a problem with the x86 architecture, Its physically impossible for the OP to have the memory stated as its a limitation on the hardware.

 

Perhaps not from MS; but if you run other operating systems (Various Unices (BSD, Solaris, Linux and related releases et al) you certainly can detect and use all 4GB.

Cheers,

 

I don't see anywhere people are refusing to accept it. The OP simply shows the screen shots and are asking why. Some people speculate it's a bug, but as of right now, it's still just speculation.

 

Personally i don't understand why its speculation when its physically impossible. It most definitely is a bug and the OPs 1st post was stating he had 4gb displayed without SP1 installed which would never display 4gb of memory.
Oh well to each their own

 

Because there's always exception.

 

Sometimes your posts are beyond my understanding, PP.

 

Sorry to digg an oldish thread, but does D620 take the 4GB ok? (IE - no obvious issues).

Bit weary, but thanks for a response!