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    £200 for Vista to see 1gb Ram

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by gordonramsey, Dec 5, 2008.

  1. gordonramsey

    gordonramsey Notebook Enthusiast

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    I went to PC world today and bought a Samsung Q210 and asked about taking it from the supplied 3Gb Ram to 4Gb and was told that the Vista operating system installed could only see 3GB and I'd have to buy Vista Business Premium for it to see an extra gig which would be £200 to install along with fitting the Ram?! I politely just took the laptop! Apparantly even XP can only see 3Gb.

    So my question is how do I add usable Ram without paying for an expensive operating system which I imagine only sees the extra Ram as it probably uses more too? Has anyone removed the Vista side bar which apparantly frees up 500mg of Ram and is tis easy to do?
     
    gordonramsey, Dec 5, 2008
    #1
  2. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

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    Hi.

    Just install Vista64 it will see the full 4gb, you have the option to install it, if you have a valid Vista32 licence.

    You just need a copy of Vista64 , it will accept your Vista32 Key!

    Regards

    John.
     
    Tinderbox (UK), Dec 5, 2008
    #2
  3. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    A 32-bit OS can only see ~3GB. Nothing to do with Vista or XP, etc.

    If your notebook came with Vista 32-bit pre-installed, you can install its 64-bit version by getting a 64-bit install disc, use the serial code printed on the COA, and activate via phone if necessary.

    And just close the siderbar, and disable the auto-start feature in it.
     
    Andy, Dec 5, 2008
    #3
  4. ArmageddonAsh

    ArmageddonAsh Mangekyo Sharingan

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    500mb? ive stopped using the sidebar but it wasnt even using 100MB let alone 500mb and its very easy to do, on the task bar theres an option for the sidebar right click on it and go to options and it should be here, its been several months since ive stopped using it
     
    ArmageddonAsh, Dec 5, 2008
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  5. tianxia

    tianxia kitty!!!

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    there is no such thing as vista business premium, the people at retail electronic shops usually don't know anything about what they sell.
    vista is fine with more than 2gb of ram.
     
    tianxia, Dec 5, 2008
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  6. gordonramsey

    gordonramsey Notebook Enthusiast

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    Where can I get a copy of the 64 bit install disc? Can it be downloaded from Microsoft update site if I give them the 32 bit code from new purchase?
     
    gordonramsey, Dec 5, 2008
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  7. gordonramsey

    gordonramsey Notebook Enthusiast

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    Also with me declining the extra Ram in store do you know specifically which spec/ type/ brand Ram is required with the Q210?
     
    gordonramsey, Dec 5, 2008
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  8. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

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    Hi.

    If you have an OEM vista32 you are out of luck, but if it`s retail and you live in the US then Microsoft will send you Vista64 for free.

    Regards

    John.
     
    Tinderbox (UK), Dec 5, 2008
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  9. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

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    Hi.

    Do you have 3gb or 4gb in your Q210 , as 3gb is all you really need unless your into graphics design or similiar.

    Regards

    John.

     
    Tinderbox (UK), Dec 5, 2008
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  10. gordonramsey

    gordonramsey Notebook Enthusiast

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    I ordered today with the standard 3gb and it's being delivered on Monday so I'm guessing it will come pre installed. I'm in UK but surely if Microsoft know one of their products has been purchased they'd oblige whether bought via purchase of a alptop or on it's own retail as you call it. Is it easy to get a copy of the disc and then use the code I'VE PAID FOR!

    I just assumed 4gb would be ideal with Vista taking up SO much Ram
     
    gordonramsey, Dec 5, 2008
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  11. CooLMinE

    CooLMinE Notebook Deity

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    Doubt Vista will use more than 3gb ram in games or applications (hopefully). Main reason why i ordered mine with 4gb ram but Vista 32.

    Of course as Tinderbox said, you will be better with the 64bit version if you are into graphic designing since high resolution works can use a lot of the ram. Other than that i believe its just an overkill, for now.
     
    CooLMinE, Dec 5, 2008
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  12. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

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    Hi.

    I have a Q210 with 3gb and i have over 2gb free , you don't need 4gb unless you have a specific reason.

    Regards

    John.
     
    Tinderbox (UK), Dec 5, 2008
    #12
  13. Deathwinger

    Deathwinger Notebook Virtuoso

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    Thank god for imperfect consumer knowledge. For without it, these places would never survive.
     
    Deathwinger, Dec 5, 2008
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  14. gordonramsey

    gordonramsey Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thank god for common sense otherwise I'd have spent an extra 30% for 1gb of Ram
     
    gordonramsey, Dec 5, 2008
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  15. Full-English

    Full-English Notebook Deity

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    I've spoken to microsoft about this as i wanted to put 64bit vista on my system. The reason they will not supply you with a disk if you have an OEM version of windows is because the end user support for the OEM version is from the manufacturer of the laptop not microsoft, also, companies such as Acer, Dell, HP etc will buy the licences in bulk from Microsoft, so are cheaper than the retail version, so for this reason also they will provide the disks.
     
    Full-English, Dec 5, 2008
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  16. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    One more point.
    I've got a feeling that Vista may use more RAM actively when more is available.
    My SZ with 4GB starts off at about 970MB and goes up to about 1,2GB - did some tweaking and tidying.
    My mother's Medion with 3GB of RAM uses about 900MB actively...

    (I'm aware that my Sony utilities use some RAM - but I don'T think its 200-300MB...)

    Edit:
    With "active RAM use" I mean no cached data
     
    DetlevCM, Dec 5, 2008
    #16