Total vs Available Physical Memory Prob

[NevR]

Now, I know for sure this is prob the wrong spot to post in...But never the less I'm hoping someone can help...

I have Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit and the problem I'm having is my computer is not using its full Memory, like, It came with 3gigs, and I upgraded it to 4.50 gigs and it says I still have 1.56 remaining.

Now I've heard people say have I remaped it...But I dont know how. Apparently I can use my extra 1.56 thats...Not being used since I upgraded it...I thought it was automatic.

I'm just looking for a answer so I can use my extra RAM.

(I have looked at a hotfix and when I go to download it, it says a server error or whatever and I can't download it.)

Thank-you for reading, Prob not all the information is here but I'll be looking for a reply.

 

[mansrm81]

You will have to upgrade to 64bit to use all of the ram you will only be able to use 3.2 or something of the ram you have installed.

 

[NevR]

I thought 32 bit could use up to 4 and nothing higher? In any case, any instructions on how to use my unused ram (if need be Ill upgrade but I would like a answer )

 

[Alex95]

32 Bits system can handle max 3 gb of ram.
64 Bits system can handle more than 4 gb ram (max of 64 gb i remember) so your unique solution is to upgrade to a 64 bits version.

 

[NevR]

Ok, once I upgrade to 64. Will it do it automatically? Or is the a guide to show me how to manage it

 

[Alex95]

Like i answered in another topic, there's no way to upgrade a 32 bits version to a 64, so you will need to buy another Vista DVD 64 bits and do a clean install of it.
REMEMBER THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!: Be sure your system IS CAPABLE of running 64 bits OS, check your motherboard/pc/laptop or whatever documentation before. Some manufacturers include a 64 bit version of the system in addition of the 32 bits version installed on the system, but only with systems capable to run a 64 bits version.
So:
1)Be 100% sure your system can run 64 bits version of the OS
2)Call your manufacturer and ask if it gives a free 64 bit DVD as an upgrade, if not, go buying it
3)Do a clean install
If your system cannot handle the 64 bits version, you will need to sell your RAM, there's no way to make use so much ram in a 32 bits version.

 

[whs]

Here is a little reading material ( Reader Question: Maximum Memory in 32-bit Windows Vista - Windows Vista help ). It explains the problem of the 4GB RAM in a 32bit system. It's a matter of available address space.
And, by the way, it i not a firm 3GB that is being used. It can be anything between 2.5 to 3.5GB depending on your configuration.

 

[Dwarf]

I think whs has made the point. Just to clarify - a 32-bit Vista OS can only address a total of 4GB of memory. As well as RAM, this address space also includes the addresses of your system devices. These addresses cannot be used for RAM access, thus reducing the amount of memory that can be used by that amount. Depending on your system hardware and configuration, a 32-bit system can actually only access between 3.25GB and 3.75GB (typically, 3.5GB or lower). You can get a bit of this memory back by going into your BIOS and disabling any devices you don't need. For example, if you have a parallel port but don't use it, you can disable it and release the resources (including address allocation) that it would normally use.