[biw31230]

i've just added another 2GB DDR2 800MHz make it a total of 4GB..it states 4GB in BIOS but when i try to test 3D MARK 06, it states only 3GB..and also in the task manager it states 3GB..so which one is right actually??

[Dave Hybrid]

I'm fairly sure Windows can only see 3GB max.

[Dave Hybrid]

Found on another site:

Windows XP Pro can use up to 4GB of RAM, but when you first install all of it you will only see 3 GB. this is caused by one or both of the following;
1. There is a BIOS setting that uses a portion of the RAM and a temp file backup solution, which can be disabled in the BIOS.
2. Add the /PAE switch to the boot.ini file, this will access the full 4GB, but will limit 2GB to the OS and 2GB to other programs. If you add the /3GB switch after the /PAE it will allocate 1GB RAM to the OS, and 3GB to all other apps.

[chrisbell17]

Also wht version of windows is it, its a normal 32bit or a 64bit?

[Gazmondo]

32bit OS can only ever use a maximum of 3.5GB, whereas 64bit can use (can't remember the exact figures) a lot more. Depending on what you've upgraded your RAM for, then 512mb isn't MUCH of a compromise to keep using 32bit XP.

[mrdaveyk]

i had this problem, 4gb kept giving me blue screen and dave helped me try and figure it out which lasted about 5 pages hehehe, but yeh dude i got vista 32 and can only have 3gig,

its not just you