Tech Question: XP X64 Only Recognizes 3.25 GB Memory

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  • ModelPerfect
    Confirmed User
    • Nov 2003
    • 2862

    #1

    Tech Question: XP X64 Only Recognizes 3.25 GB Memory

    So I'm building a new system with a Core2Quad Q6600 processor, 512 MB NVidia 8800GT, and 4 GB RAM (the Asrock 4Core1600P35-WiFi+ motherboard actually supports 8 GB). I did some researching and was under the impression that I needed a 64-bit OS to recognize the full amount of RAM. Not wanting to go to Vista, I opted for XP Pro X64 and upgraded to SP2.

    The BIOS does indeed recognize the full amount of RAM, but the OS only sees 3.25 GB, which is what most people said would be the case under a 32 bit OS. I have already have the latest version of BIOS, but it doesn't have a memory remap option (something some articles mentioned).

    Anyone have any clue what's going on, and how to get my system to recognize the full amount of RAM? If I can't get full use of the 4 GB, is there any advantage to using a X64 system, rather than my trusty old XP Pro X86 version? What's the GFY gurus take on Vista X64?

    Thanks a lot in advance....

    -Logan
    Logan
    modelperfect [at] gmail.com
    http://www.modelperfect.com

    (Proudly hosted at www.webair.com )
  • farkedup
    Confirmed User
    • Nov 2007
    • 2490

    #2
    there's a boot line that you can add thats a bit of a "hack" but your 512Mb video card counts towards that 4Gb limitation
    -- QUOTE ME IT MAKES ME FEEL SPECIAL --

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    • _Richard_
      Too lazy to set a custom title
      • Oct 2006
      • 30991

      #3
      i don't know much about it, but i heard that 2G is the basic limit for this? i thought everything above that didn't work so well yet

      Comment

      • farkedup
        Confirmed User
        • Nov 2007
        • 2490

        #4
        oh you installed the 64bit already? doesn't sound like it... the 64 bit installs I've done have all recognized 4Gb RAM properly and even the 8Gb one I was running

        64 bit windows simply isn't worth it yet. Just stick with XP 32 bit where you only "need" 2Gb RAM and avoid Vista where you "need" 3Gb.

        If you seriously have to do things that need much more than 3Gb RAM you'll have to go OSX or linux. I have a 64 bit ubuntu installed and it works GREAT in my media server/encoding box in the corner.
        -- QUOTE ME IT MAKES ME FEEL SPECIAL --

        Comment

        • ModelPerfect
          Confirmed User
          • Nov 2003
          • 2862

          #5
          Originally posted by farkedup
          there's a boot line that you can add thats a bit of a "hack" but your 512Mb video card counts towards that 4Gb limitation
          There's a /PAE hack for the 32-bit system, which I tried with the x64, but it didn't work either. There shouldn't be a 4 GB limit on a x64 OS...in fact, I think the limit is supposed to be 128 GB or something ridiculous like that.
          Logan
          modelperfect [at] gmail.com
          http://www.modelperfect.com

          (Proudly hosted at www.webair.com )

          Comment

          • ModelPerfect
            Confirmed User
            • Nov 2003
            • 2862

            #6
            Originally posted by farkedup
            oh you installed the 64bit already? doesn't sound like it... the 64 bit installs I've done have all recognized 4Gb RAM properly and even the 8Gb one I was running

            64 bit windows simply isn't worth it yet. Just stick with XP 32 bit where you only "need" 2Gb RAM and avoid Vista where you "need" 3Gb.

            If you seriously have to do things that need much more than 3Gb RAM you'll have to go OSX or linux. I have a 64 bit ubuntu installed and it works GREAT in my media server/encoding box in the corner.
            I'm actually considering going back to 32-bit, if I can't resolve the 4 GB issue...
            Logan
            modelperfect [at] gmail.com
            http://www.modelperfect.com

            (Proudly hosted at www.webair.com )

            Comment

            • ModelPerfect
              Confirmed User
              • Nov 2003
              • 2862

              #7
              Oh yeah, I also ran memtest, so I'm pretty sure there's no errors in the RAM...
              Logan
              modelperfect [at] gmail.com
              http://www.modelperfect.com

              (Proudly hosted at www.webair.com )

              Comment

              • Marky333
                Confirmed User
                • Jun 2006
                • 974

                #8
                my advice: go back to 32 bit

                Comment

                • tranza
                  ICQ: 197-556-237
                  • Jun 2003
                  • 57559

                  #9
                  Why 32 bit?
                  I'm just a newbie.

                  Comment

                  • JOKER
                    Facit Omnia Voluntas
                    • Apr 2003
                    • 2105

                    #10
                    Same happened to me... in the end I installed the latest bios and tada - 8GB visible in x64 and usable as well - the bios always recognized it though, just didn't work within the OS.

                    Turned out the bios upgrade switched memory remap to automatic (I didn't see any option before) so this did the trick.

                    Nothing additional in the boot.ini / boot line either.

                    Your solution lies within the memory remap, or whatever it's called in your bios.

                    Good luck man, I know it's frustrating
                    Facilitation - BizDev - Traffic - Consulting - Marketing
                    Skype: jokerempire | Silent Circle: joker

                    Comment

                    • ModelPerfect
                      Confirmed User
                      • Nov 2003
                      • 2862

                      #11
                      Originally posted by tranza
                      Why 32 bit?
                      Yeah, I'd like to see explanations with recommendations myself.

                      BUT, if memory wasn't an issue with 32-bit, I'd definitely go that route, because it's simply more compatible with what's out there, and doesn't require as many resources.

                      One issue I'm not sure about is if the quadcore processor is as effectively used on a 32 bit system...
                      Logan
                      modelperfect [at] gmail.com
                      http://www.modelperfect.com

                      (Proudly hosted at www.webair.com )

                      Comment

                      • ModelPerfect
                        Confirmed User
                        • Nov 2003
                        • 2862

                        #12
                        Originally posted by JOKER | JOKEREMPIRE Inc.
                        Same happened to me... in the end I installed the latest bios and tada - 8GB visible in x64 and usable as well - the bios always recognized it though, just didn't work within the OS.

                        Turned out the bios upgrade switched memory remap to automatic (I didn't see any option before) so this did the trick.

                        Nothing additional in the boot.ini / boot line either.

                        Your solution lies within the memory remap, or whatever it's called in your bios.

                        Good luck man, I know it's frustrating
                        Yeah, I've searched and searched, but can't find anything related to memory remap in the BIOS. I downloaded the latest BIOS, but it's the same version I currently have, so I doubt that'll help me... I emailed AsRock tech support, but nothing back yet...
                        Logan
                        modelperfect [at] gmail.com
                        http://www.modelperfect.com

                        (Proudly hosted at www.webair.com )

                        Comment

                        • ModelPerfect
                          Confirmed User
                          • Nov 2003
                          • 2862

                          #13
                          Woohoo! I searched BIOS again, and finally found the memory remap feature (don't know how I missed it before...). Turned it on and all my memory is recognized.
                          Logan
                          modelperfect [at] gmail.com
                          http://www.modelperfect.com

                          (Proudly hosted at www.webair.com )

                          Comment

                          • JOKER
                            Facit Omnia Voluntas
                            • Apr 2003
                            • 2105

                            #14
                            Originally posted by ModelPerfect
                            Woohoo! I searched BIOS again, and finally found the memory remap feature (don't know how I missed it before...). Turned it on and all my memory is recognized.
                            Congrats
                            Facilitation - BizDev - Traffic - Consulting - Marketing
                            Skype: jokerempire | Silent Circle: joker

                            Comment

                            • digifan
                              The Profiler
                              • Oct 2002
                              • 14618

                              #15
                              Originally posted by ModelPerfect
                              There's a /PAE hack for the 32-bit system, which I tried with the x64, but it didn't work either. There shouldn't be a 4 GB limit on a x64 OS...in fact, I think the limit is supposed to be 128 GB or something ridiculous like that.
                              If you ever build a 128 GB, I want one
                              [email protected]
                              Webair Rocks

                              Comment

                              • CunningStunt
                                Confirmed User
                                • Aug 2006
                                • 5594

                                #16
                                Your machine will only recognise 3.25 Gig of ram.

                                Comment

                                • digifan
                                  The Profiler
                                  • Oct 2002
                                  • 14618

                                  #17
                                  You should start a blog about it, it would be a success
                                  [email protected]
                                  Webair Rocks

                                  Comment

                                  • Penny24Seven
                                    So Fucking What
                                    • Jun 2007
                                    • 6287

                                    #18
                                    mine said 3.25 for the longest time and now it shows 8GB , one of the updates fixed it in the last 2 weeks
                                    Our site is coming soon. It will be one of the best ever! I know so. Brian and Penny

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                                    • munki
                                      Do Fun Shit.
                                      • Dec 2004
                                      • 13393

                                      #19
                                      Just make the vista hop... I'm running 6 gbs in my main quad processor on vista ultimate 64... runs like a dream.

                                      I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.” -Oscar Wilde

                                      Comment

                                      • Bake
                                        Confirmed User
                                        • Jan 2001
                                        • 5915

                                        #20
                                        I have 64 and it shows 4gb and have 512 card , still not happy dosent seem any quicker than running 2 gb on 32
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