Extra RAM not recognized after clean install of Vista

Hello.I've reinstalled Vista Premium (32 Bit) last night because I've had some kind of a virus that I just couldn't get rid off.And since I have not done a clean install since I've bought the computer 3 years ago , I thought it would be a good idea.

OK , lemme cut to the chase.BEFORE I reinstalled Windows I've upgraded my RAM from 3 GB to 4 GB.I have 4 x 1 GB sticks where before I had 2 x 1 GB plus 2 X 512 MB.
As I said , before I reinstalled Vista , after replacing the 2 x 512 MB with 2 x 1 GB sticks , Vista DID recognized all of the RAM which was 4.0 GB.

But as of last night after reinstalling my OS with the Recovery Cds that came with my PC , Vista shows only 3326 MB which is not the full 4 GB that is installed.

Was I supposed to leave the original 3 GB while reinstalling Windows and THEN add the extra 1 GB AFTERWARDS ?

Or does this have to do with something entirely different?

I would really appreciate some help because I just bough the extra RAM not long ago and if Vista is not recognizing all of it as it should , well than it's kind of a waste.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Yha thats common.

32bit windows can only use 4Gigs in total. This is ALL Memory including you video card, and seeing as you have va 1Gig card, Windos has to spill over and steal, in theory, from your system memory.

You nhed 64bit to see all 4Gigs

OK I've read somewhere that what you say is true.But so why would be be that BEFORE i reinstalled Vista it DID show that it recognized the 4 gigs?
Could it have been some kind of bug since my computer was acting up? As in I had a virus.

It's probably because you reinstalled and windows is now properly registaring your ram.

Double check in the bios, but when i had 4Gig and a 786 meg video card it was 3.5Gigs ram showing.

OK I'll look in BIOS.I don't like the fact Vista isn't using the whole amount of RAM though.Thanks...

I have no comment about why it was recognized before, but the answer that you were given is correct. Many have asked it in this forum, our Seven Forum and on Google.

Itsz EVERY 32bit software. Windows can only address 4Gigs of meory, including all systems and video cards.

Even linux does this.

evilaton said:

OK I've read somewhere that what you say is true.But so why would be be that BEFORE i reinstalled Vista it DID show that it recognized the 4 gigs?
Could it have been some kind of bug since my computer was acting up? As in I had a virus.

Click to expand...

Some places within Windows tell you the physical hardware total RAM (eg 4GB) whereas others tell you what is usable (eg 3.2GB). It is often difficult to tell the difference. Did you read this value from another place? Otherwise I don't really know...reporting error?

Hi,

This is what is shown on my system data fields & All CPU meter monitor: -

This does not answer the question but demonstrates the what is being asked!

I had a similar issue with my Windows 7 comp however it is 64 Bit but Basically a possible cause could be the one stated above or that your RAM needs Remapping (Only some Motherboards support this) and mine unfortunately doesn't. also If your using onboard graphics found on your motherboard then that Memory used will be reserved and Vista will not be able to see it

Hence why Lottiemansion can see all of his because he isn't using onboard graphics

To my knowledge this is correct however I haven't done a lot of research into this

Josh