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I don't understand the 4 GB 32 Bit

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Name: Kay Tee Pren Tiss
Date: April 1, 2008 at 16:07:43 Pacific
OS: Windows XP 32 Bit
CPU/Ram: Quad Core Q6600
Product: ASUS P5B-E
Comment:

Okay, here is what I am not understanding. I understand that a 32 Bit operating system will NOT utilize ALL 4 GB of RAM (i don't understand why though), so I better off using the 64 bit operating system, which will let me have all 4 Gigs of RAM and more.

Now, on one of the school computers is an HP xw4400 Workstation. It has 32 Bit Windows XP Professional installed on it (for the same reason I have, NONE of the programs run in 64 Bit) and that computer is giving me 3.5 GB of RAM!

I don't understand this. Why is MY ASUS P5B-E Motherboard only giving me 2.93? Actually thats if memory remapping feature is turned off. When I turn it on for 64 bit and BIOS to detect all 4 Gigs of RAM, why am I only getting 2 Gigs when it should be showing a little less than 4 Gigs of RAM? This is what I am not understaning. I need all the RAM for Multitasking (Virtual Machines, Audio and Video, Games, etc.)

I am not asking for to help me get 4 Gigs of RAM working on my system, I am only complaining because the HP xw4400 workstation has 3.5 when I only have 2 gigs with the same memory amount installed.

Kute Punk Kay Pee Kay Tee Pren Tiss Kute Punk Kay Pee Kay Tee Pren Tiss



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Response Number 1
Name: Cuffy
Date: April 1, 2008 at 16:27:08 Pacific
Reply:

What makes you think you have 4GB memory installed?


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Response Number 2
Name: jam
Date: April 1, 2008 at 16:42:20 Pacific
Reply:

1st of all, what does your post have to do with CPUs or overclocking?

2nd, did you not read my response in your other post(s) or click the links I supplied? Your Asus board has a problem recognizing 4GB RAM. Try googling "ASUS P5B 2.93GB" (without the quotes) & you'll see what I mean. Did you temporarily remove one of the 1GB sticks like I recommended?

As for the 4GB limit for 32-bit OS's, that issue has been explained several times before along with why there is such a limit & why less than 4GB is actually recognized.

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/ar...


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Response Number 3
Name: Kay Tee Pren Tiss
Date: April 1, 2008 at 17:32:18 Pacific
Reply:

I tried researching the ASUS board and I can't seem to find a solution. What is the solution if you mind answering my question straightforward.

Also, I KNOW flat out that a 32 Bit operating system will NOT detect the 4 Gigabytes of RAM, but the only reason I am pressing on with this subject is because the expecations are a LOT lower than what I thought it should be. 2.00 or 2.93 is NOT 3.5 Gigabytes.

I am not forcing anyone to give me a solution to detect ALL 4 gigs in the 32 bit operating system, I heard that there is an ASUS update but I don't know how to update it.

Kute Punk Kay Pee Kay Tee Pren Tiss Kute Punk Kay Pee Kay Tee Pren Tiss


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Response Number 4
Name: jam
Date: April 1, 2008 at 19:56:49 Pacific
Reply:

"I heard that there is an ASUS update but I don't know how to update it"

Have you ever flashed a BIOS before? It's a relatively simple procedure, but if it's done incorrectly, it could turn your motherboard into a doorstop.

Find the updated BIOS, the flash utility & instructions here:

http://support.asus.com/download/do...

BTW, if you read the link I provided in my previous response, the last couple of sentences pretty much tell the tale:

"Here's one parting bit of advice: if, like me, you're planning to stick with a 32-bit operating system for the next few years, don't waste your money on 4 GB of RAM. You won't be able to use it all. Buy 3 GB instead. Every motherboard I'm aware of will happily accept 2 x 1 GB and 2 x 512 MB DIMMs."


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Response Number 5
Name: Cuffy
Date: April 4, 2008 at 10:10:15 Pacific
Reply:

With the help of some friends over at DonationCoder_.com I've rounded up a couple of apps and some info that may help answer the memory questions.
http://www.tmurgent.com/Tool_ATM.aspx
http://www.ks-soft.net/hostmon.eng/...
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/procme...

For one thing, these little utilities will show you how much of your memory you are actually using. I've got 2GB installed and never get close to using all of it. Surprisingly, my RSS reader seems to be my biggest consumer.
YMMV


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