Solved Dell XPS RAM not recognized

[Bare Foot Kid]

You're welcome, glad we could help and thanks for the update.

 

[LiquidSnak]

My pleasure

 

[GeneO]

So, would I be able to install 64-bit version of Windows 7 on my system? And if I can, are there any other benefits?

Yes, your manual states it will recognize up to 8GB with 64 bit OS. Dell technicians are wrong too. Maybe they want you to buy a new DELL.

For some reason, for 32 bit OS, they decided to have their BIOS limit the memory to a maximum of 2GB instead of 4GB. For 64 bit OS it will see all of your memory up to *GB.

btw google is your friend.

- Gene

 

[bobkn]

If using a 32-bit operating system such as Microsoft® Windows® XP, your computer will support a maximum of 2 GB of memory. If you are using a 64-bit operating system, your computer will support a maximum of 8 GB (2-GB DIMMs in each of the four slots) of memory.

I don't build computers for a living, but this strikes me as unusual.

32 bit Windows normally supports 4GB, although the amount available to Windows is always less. Why would the machine be limited to 2Gb with 32 bit Windows, but go up to 8 with a 64 bit OS? Are there any other PCs in existence that share this limitation?

Discussion of the BIOS seems odd as well. Does the BIOS check the boot drive to see what sort of OS installed before the BIOS does its memory check? That would be unusual as well.

Is the XPS 600 really that unique?

 

[GeneO]

That is a good point, but if you google there are many reports of people installing 4 or more GB and seeing only 2 in 32 bit windows on this machine. There are posts of people upgraded to 64 bit vista or Windows 7 with 8 GB of RAM. and the DELL documentation (which of course could be wrong) says 2Gb for 32bit, 8GB for 64 bit.

From a thread:

"The XPS 600 will only present 2 GB of memory to a 32-bit operating system, so don't bother buying more. I bought 2 GB more and returned it.


It is NOT a limit in Windows XP. It is a limit in the XPS 600. It appears to know when you're running a 32-bit operating system (Windows, Linux, etc.) and only uses 2 GB. If you have 4 GB, check the BIOS event log after you've booted into a 32-bit OS, and you'll see a message about "memory size decreased".

 

[SleazyRider]

Well, after the hassles of trying to run today's games on a 32bit system....with severely limited RAM, I decided to buy a new machine, an HP Pavillion Elite. 64bit, 6G of RAM, 1tb hd, tho the vid card could be better, but I can change that later as needed.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Well done.

 

[SleazyRider]

That is a good point, but if you google there are many reports of people installing 4 or more GB and seeing only 2 in 32 bit windows on this machine. There are posts of people upgraded to 64 bit vista or Windows 7 with 8 GB of RAM. and the DELL documentation (which of course could be wrong) says 2Gb for 32bit, 8GB for 64 bit.

From a thread:

"The XPS 600 will only present 2 GB of memory to a 32-bit operating system, so don't bother buying more. I bought 2 GB more and returned it.


It is NOT a limit in Windows XP. It is a limit in the XPS 600. It appears to know when you're running a 32-bit operating system (Windows, Linux, etc.) and only uses 2 GB. If you have 4 GB, check the BIOS event log after you've booted into a 32-bit OS, and you'll see a message about "memory size decreased".

The thing that I don't understand is why do these computer manufacturers, knowing that 32bit systems can only recognize 2gb of RAM, advertise their 32bit machines, "....up to 8gb of RAM", when it can only recognize 2gb? Sure sounds like false advertising, or at the very least, untruthful. Had I known that, I don't think that I would have a 32bit system. Tho, I will have to say that 5 years ago and if I remember right, 64bit systems were even out yet. (I could be wrong on that)

Bob

 

[LiquidSnak]

Would you buy it if you knew that it was 2GB limited?



I volunteer regularly at a computer recycling place, that builds computers for schools and people with lack of funding. On the motherboard rejection checklist, it lists "If the word DELL is anywhere on the board, it is a reject."

 

[SleazyRider]

Are you saying that ONLY Dell has a 2GB RAM limit on their motherboards?

 

[LiquidSnak]

It's not exactly a motherboard limit, since the motherboard can recognize and utilise 8GB of RAM. It is a Dell limit. As for other companies that do this, I would not be able to tell you off the top of my head.

However, all DELL boards are rejected due to them being a lowest bid company. They don't care about the quality as long as it is cheap.



I guess it is cheaper for them in the long run to replace parts rather than make a computer that is built to last.

 

[SleazyRider]

Well, let's hope that my new HP will last! lol

 

[ccatlett1984]

FYI that 2gb limit for the 32bit OS is not present in the Dell Optiplex line. I can confirm this all the way back to the GX620 (which is a P4) through to the Optiplex 980. They all see 3.5 out of the 4gb of ram (just as they are supposed to.)