Windows 7 - Memory installed 4BG (usable 2.97GB)

**ash2278** · 12-16-2009

I recently upgraded from Vista home premium 32 bit to Windows 7 Home premium 32 bit. My system now shows RAM 4GB installed (2.97GB usable) this never happened in my vista version.

I have searched numerous threads on this forum but and have found similar issues but none of the threads seem to have been resolved.

Hence my new post.

I am thinking to revert back to Vista if i cant make full use of my RAM.

Please help !!!!

**nate42nd** · 12-16-2009

32 bit operating systems only address 3GB of RAM. You'll need to go 64 bit to take advantage of 4GB.

Vista will not be any different.

This id the short answer. See posts about the difference between 32 and 64 bit for more.

http://www.vistax64.com/vista-news/9...-just-ram.html

From what I'm reading, at SP1 MS made Vista "read" 4GB of it was insatlled, but it still does not use it all. Hope this helps.

**Tews** · 12-16-2009

Windows 7 may by default claim up to 50% of available RAM for caching... it is limited to @3.5bg of accessible RAM due to licensing restrictions from Intel.. You may be losing some to your gfx card.... Just some things to ponder before going back to Vista...

**nate42nd** · 12-16-2009

Here it is from MS. At SP1 they "changed the way components report memory"

The system memory that is reported in the System Information dialog box in Windows Vista is less than you expect if 4 GB of RAM is installed

**ash2278** · 12-17-2009

Thanks for all the information.

I suppose I'll just have to leave it as it is. Still not sure if I should go back to Vista or stay on to Windows 7.

If possible please let me know your recommenndation.

Windows 7 - Memory installed 4BG (usable 2.97GB)

Memory installed 4BG (usable 2.97GB) problems?