Fresh 7 Install. Recognizes 4Gb Ram, Using only 2Gb


  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 7
       #1

    Fresh 7 Install. Recognizes 4Gb Ram, Using only 2Gb


    Hello everyone,

    I'm new to this forum and had a question. I have read a thread on this site, but that was from back in August. I just installed 32bit Win 7, but have Ram issues.

    I have a Dell XPS 600, with 4Gb of ram installed. When I look into the properties of My Computer, it states: "4Gb Installed (Using 2Gb).

    If I'm not mistaken, I've read the max Ram 32 bit can hold is 4Gb. If I have 4Gb, why won't it use 4Gb?

    I was running Vista, and had access to all 4 Gb. But once I installed 7, it immediately gave me this issue. I've looked into my BIOS so make sure something isn't checked off incorrectly, but all looks fine.

    I've noticed my machine is much slower without the extra 2Gb, and I'd like to know if there's a way that I may be able to get this working correctly.

    Any help is much appreciated, thanks ahead of time!

    -AR
    Last edited by angasreid; 26 Oct 2009 at 15:59.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 259
    Windows7 x64 7600 16385
       #2

    Run MSConfig and click on the boot tab. Click "advanced options" and and look to see if Windows7 is constraining any of your memory.

    Good luck.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Nope tried that. It's not restricted at all. I even manually added 4Gb worth of ram, restarted and got a blue screen that said Build 7600, and it never did anything else.

    BTW Subsonic, I'm also in Va, at VT. Cheers.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 259
    Windows7 x64 7600 16385
       #4

    OK, worth a look anyway. I'm sure some of the hardware techies will chime in with some more things for you to try. Go Hokies!
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 8,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64, Arch Linux
       #5

    There is an app that will patch win7's kernel and make it use full 4GB

    Ready For 4GB !Tested &Work Perfectly(fully use 4 GB Ram) - Rapidshare, Megaupload, Hotfile, torrent
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 173
    Windows
       #6

    yowanvista said:
    Ready For 4GB !Tested &Work Perfectly(fully use 4 GB Ram) - Rapidshare, Megaupload, Hotfile, torrent
    That doesnt sound like malware at all.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
       #7

    If im not mistaken a 32 bit OS can only address up to 2.9gig of ram and that is including video ram also. If you want full use out of your ram upgrade to a 64bit version
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 8,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64, Arch Linux
       #8

    32bit OS can only address up to 3.0-3.5GB but with this patch you can fully use your 4GB
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
       #9

    on Windows 7 they took the limit off and you should be able to use and address 4gigs of ram, but anything over 4 is impossible you would need a 64bit OS. The only thing I can think of is Dell is notorious for locking the bios and only letting you use a certain amount of ram. See if youre bios is locked to only use a certain amount of ram.

    Your 32bit OS can detect up to 8gigs of ram but only 4 will be usable, Vista was locked out at 3.2gigs or something.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 173
    Windows
       #10

    They have not removed the total 4GB physical address space limitation in 32bit Windows 7.
      My Computer


 

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