Vista 32 bits don't recognize 4GB RAM?

I've read somewhere in this forum that Vista 32 bits don't see or don't recognize if you have 4GB RAM in your notebook.

I did a quick search but I couldn't find it.

Thing is, I have installed 2x2GB DR2667 in my VAIO FZ140E and made a clean install, and now the system information says my notebook is running with 3GB RAM only. Is it normal?

Before the clean install, CCleaner could recognize all 4GB. I can't remember what the System Information returned though.

Thanks in advance.

 

I think you need to install the LATEST intel chipset to SEE the total 4GB of RAM.
Yet, 32bit OSes only can't FULLY UTILIZE 4GB of RAM. However, you still can see 4GB of RAM installed. Maximal RAM that can be fully utilize for 32bit OSes are 3-3.5GB of RAM only.

 

The OS can see 4GB of ram but will only use around 3.0-3.5GB dependent on how much video memory you have.

If you want to utilise all 4GB then install a 64 bit OS.

 

Thanks guys, I'll check if I have to install the latest version of the chipset. Just another question, much newbier than my first one( sorry ): where can I exactly check this and how to download the latest version, if needed?

 

dadozen , check manufacturer site for latest BIOS update and intel site for chipset update

 

Here:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/default.aspx

click the Run Intel Driver Update Utility (silver color button) and let it check. Then dl the drivers. done. hope it helps

 

Thanks guys, you are great!

I'm currently at work now, but I'll check that as soon as I get home. Thanks for taking your time to help a noob like me

rep+

 

Also, install SP2 for Windows Vista (if that is what you use). Only after Service Pack 1 you will be able to "see" 4GB of your RAM, but again it will not use it all. Only about 3.5GBs.

 

Remember this is not the 'fault' of Vista or any 32bit OS. It's the way the basic PC architecture segments out and reserves memory for DMA and (if necessary) video. UEFI biosii have the potential to take care of this (and presenting a full 4G to a 32bit OS for use), but other than what Apple has implemented on Mac hardware, the necessary features aren't available for PCs.

 

Having Windows "see" 4gb of RAM isn't very exciting anyways... but you should install SP2 anyways.

If you want it to use 4gb of RAM, then you'll need a 64-bit version of Windows.

 

Vista with SP1 or later sees all 4 GB of RAM and uses 3 -3.5 GB of RAM depending upon your hardware.

 

Thanks guys, after the clean install I spent a lot of time dling and installing all the necessary updates, and went to bed because it would take so long after finishing, so maybe that's what is causing this "problem".

I'm aware that my OS won't use the full 4GB, but I'm not planning to change it for a 64-bits, at least not for now.

I just wanted to check why the OS couldn't "see" the RAM.

Thanks!

 

Yes, but it only reports seeing 3+ gb. When SP2 was released Microsoft patched it to resport seeing all 4 gb even though both versions used the same amount. This was done to eliminate a bunch or support calls, "I just installed 4 gb of memory and Vista says it can only see 3.2 GB."

Gary

 

OK, I've installed all available updates for Windows( including all SP packages available ) and it still doesn't see all 4GB.

I have run the Intel update driver device and it says:

Product Detected Intel® GM965
Current Driver Installed 7.14.0010.1230
A customized computer manufacturer driver is installed on your computer. The Intel Driver Update Utility is not able to update the driver. Installing a generic Intel driver instead of the customized computer manufacturer driver may cause technical issues. Contact your computer manufacturer for the latest driver for your computer.

I don't know what else to do... Maybe that's a flaw during the reinstall( Gary explained to me that I didn't do a clean install ) process?

 

"Including SP3" ?

 

never mind, I just realized I hadn't installed SP1 yet. I'll check if that fixs the problem.

Thanks guys.

 

That will do it.