Author Topic: 4GB of Ram in Vista = 2.8GB?? (Read 2961 times)

Petch · « **on:** June 17, 2008, 06:17:09 PM »

Sorry about the size of the pic, when I resized it in paint (didn't really install any other apps yet) it wasn't legible.

Anyway before I reinstalled XP saw my 4GB of Ram as 2.8Gig, and I understand why, I don't need an explanation on that. I'm wondering why Vista sees 4GB but is only using 2.8! WTF M8! I thought they fixed this with Vista!

sully! · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2008, 06:40:56 PM »

Damnit, Petch! Google is your friend...

http://www.vistaclues.com/reader-question-maximum-memory-in-32-bit-windows-vista/

Petch · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2008, 06:47:39 PM »

I don't wana use it! NO I WONT DO IT!

Actually I was sitting down for dinner when I posted that and didn't wana look!

Thanks though!

Petch · « **Reply #3 on:** June 17, 2008, 06:50:16 PM »

That's pretty much the same thing they said about XP... bah whatever, I guess I'll be turning my paging file back on then, because when I was playing COD4 I got a low mem warning.

GARBAGE!

Thanks again.

The Shoctor · « **Reply #4 on:** June 17, 2008, 06:54:04 PM »

Haha it has nothing to do with XP vs Vista it's 32bit vs 64bit!

sully! · « **Reply #5 on:** June 17, 2008, 07:03:19 PM »

Also, you could have 32GB of RAM and you still should not turn off your paging file. It's just bad practice. Windows expects it to be there and it acts stupid when it's not there. To add to that, Vista will preload many of your frequently used apps into RAM (a feature called SuperFetch) so it will want to use as much RAM as you throw at it.

Petch · « **Reply #6 on:** June 17, 2008, 07:53:38 PM »

Shadow always tryin to be a peckerhead! Sully, I didnt know about the SuperFetchness with Vista, as I'm just easing into it.. So I'll look at going back and optimizing my paging file instead of having it shut off.

Shadow, I am very well aware of the 32bit vs 64bit shenanigans, but when SP1 for Vista was being released I thought from what I had read they figured out how to utilize the memory addressing better thus allowing the full use of your 4GB of memory. I guess what it really was saying was tough Crap Vista will see 4GB but you cant use it! And your still a pecker!

The Nstuff · « **Reply #7 on:** June 17, 2008, 07:55:34 PM »

Sigh... the actual question has nothing to do with 32/64 or xp vs vista. He's asking why Vista says he has 4gb yet task manager clearly says it's only seeing 2.8gb

Starting with Vista, Microsoft decided to show "installed" memory vs "usable" memory. Let's not debate on the merits of this change, but the fact remains that people with 4gb installed, Vista will now say you have 4gb installed, regardless of how much the OS can actually use after the motherboard, SLI, take their piece along with limitations of 32bit.

Just an FYI, starting with SP3, Windows XP will do the same now.

I suppose this will let non-technical people who actually bought 4gb of memory for their 32bit OS to stay in stupid-land thinking they are using it all. I'm just waiting for the lawsuits...

The Shoctor · « **Reply #8 on:** June 17, 2008, 08:00:02 PM »

There is a way for 32 bit OS to secretly address more, but the applications have to be written for it.
I remember reading it somewhere. I think it was called PAF, but I can't find anything on it at the moment.

The Nstuff · « **Reply #9 on:** June 17, 2008, 08:15:11 PM »

There's a change in the boot.ini that you can make for Windows XP... not sure how to do it in Vista 32 or if it's possible. Doctor is right... it has to do with the /PAE switch.

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEdrv.mspx

However, if you are running Vista retail, just get 64 and be done with it. I've been running Vista 64 for the last 8 months and I know of only one issue that was caused by 64bit and that was with Itunes which was fixed shortly after. You can get MS to ship you the 64bit cd:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

If you got OEM, then you are stuck with 32bit that you have... unless you got it from Dell or some other Manufacturer in which case you can call them up and beg for 64bit media.

Petch · « **Reply #10 on:** June 17, 2008, 08:30:23 PM »

Quote from: nstuff on June 17, 2008, 08:15:11 PM

There's a change in the boot.ini that you can make for Windows XP... not sure how to do it in Vista 32 or if it's possible. Doctor is right... it has to do with the /PAE switch.

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEdrv.mspx

However, if you are running Vista retail, just get 64 and be done with it. I've been running Vista 64 for the last 8 months and I know of only one issue that was caused by 64bit and that was with Itunes which was fixed shortly after. You can get MS to ship you the 64bit cd:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

If you got OEM, then you are stuck with 32bit that you have... unless you got it from Dell or some other Manufacturer in which case you can call them up and beg for 64bit media.

Good call on the free CD... Ill try it out, but I got my copy of Vista Ultimate for free from a Microsoft Conference I went to, so I dont know...

Petch · « **Reply #11 on:** June 17, 2008, 08:32:38 PM »

That's a big 10-4 negative good buddy.

The system can't "find" my product key.

The Nstuff · « **Reply #12 on:** June 17, 2008, 08:45:56 PM »

hmm, that sucks. i think i've seen the free vista you are talking about. A bunch of guys at work went to the celebration for Windows 2008 server and they got free vista ultimate. If you know of someone with access to msdn... i know for a fact that you can download the one with SP1 already included... the iso has both 32 and 64 bit versions of Vista on the same disc. I tried it out in a virtual PC image to make sure it would take my cdkey and it did. Next time i format, i'm going to use it so i'll have SP1 native.

Mr.Tibbs · « **Reply #13 on:** June 17, 2008, 08:46:44 PM »

Have you tried the Maigc Jellybean Keyfinder?

Or this:

"If you have Vista all you need to do is go:
Control panel/system maitenance/
Find which version of Windows you are using/
Show more details

And there you will find your Product ID (or Key). "

Petch · « **Reply #14 on:** June 17, 2008, 08:53:53 PM »

Quote from: nstuff on June 17, 2008, 08:45:56 PM

hmm, that sucks. i think i've seen the free vista you are talking about. A bunch of guys at work went to the celebration for Windows 2008 server and they got free vista ultimate. If you know of someone with access to msdn... i know for a fact that you can download the one with SP1 already included... the iso has both 32 and 64 bit versions of Vista on the same disc. I tried it out in a virtual PC image to make sure it would take my cdkey and it did. Next time i format, i'm going to use it so i'll have SP1 native.

As soon as my application goes through for the Masters program I just enrolled into at UMUC goes through I should have a student account for the MSDN.

Author Topic: 4GB of Ram in Vista = 2.8GB?? (Read 2961 times)

Petch

4GB of Ram in Vista = 2.8GB??

sully!

Re: 4GB of Ram in Vista = 2.8GB??

Petch

Re: 4GB of Ram in Vista = 2.8GB??

Petch

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The Shoctor

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sully!

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Petch

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The Nstuff

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The Shoctor

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The Nstuff

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Petch

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Petch

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The Nstuff

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Mr.Tibbs

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Petch

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