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Weird RAM problems...please help!!

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by dlindner999

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Hi,
I recently upgraded my RAM from 2BG to 4GB in my WinXP system. In BIOS, I show 4 slots having 1024MB each of RAM. However, my System Properties screen shows 3.25 GB of RAM. I downloaded the Microsoft Windows Memory Diagnostic, and it passed with all 4 sticks of ram installed, although it said it couldn't test all my memory because the 'memory map' exceeded 4GB. I ran the test on each stick one at a time, and they each passed. The memory map warning it gave me makes me think that maybe Windows by default does not know how to accommodate over 4GBs of RAM. Does anyone know this to be correct, and if so, how to fix it?

I should note that I am using two different types of RAM, one matched pair of 667Mhz and one matched pair of 533Mhz. Would this make a difference? Do I need 4 matched sticks of RAM?

Additionally, I ran the Belarc Advisor, which shows 4 slots of 1024MB RAM, but 3326MB of total installed memory. I use a memory monitor program called Freemeter, and it has stopped functioning, even after I completely uninstalled and reinstalled it. It always shows 0% memory used and 2097MB available.

Thanks in advance for the help,
Dan

System Specs:
1 yr. old Micro Express Microflex 66B
Windows XP SP2
Intel DP965LT Motherboard
Intel Dual Core 2.4Ghz E6600 processor

7 replies

by thumbsup2

Even though you have 4GB installed, Windows only makes roughly 3GB available to applications. The rest is reserved for system usage. In your case, you're seeing 3.25 GB available to applications. Tests will give varying results because Windows won't let them see it.

There are many articles written on MS TechNet about this limitation. Basically, they all say the same thing. Windows will allow up to 4GB to be installed, but you'll only get to use about 3GB of it, depending on your video configuration.

By the way, just in case you didn't know, 1024MB is 1GB. So, don't get confused when you see more than 1000 of anything thinking you have more than what you have.

by rob miners

information. The slower Ram will limt your performance as all RAM will be running at 533Mhz.
I am comfortably running XP on 2Gb of RAM with no problems playing Generals or the Dawn of War series. Another PC running Vista with only 1Gb of RAM. These are only 2.4GHz PC's. I also have an old Dell that is running XP comfortably with 1 Gb of RAM.

If I were you I would get a couple more sticks of the 667MHz RAM or just remove the 533MHz.

by paul

Windows XP cant see 4gig of RAM because it's 32 bit. You need the 64bit versions of Windows if you have want more than 3.25 ;)

As for your two different types it depends on your motherboard it usually won't matter but if you get unexplained restarts then set both to ran at 533mhz just in case. You won't see any performance change really. I'd probably do this anyway for peace of mind.

by paul

The difference between 533mhz and 667mhz is absolute minimal and is pretty much unimportant when it comes to RAM. You would never tell the difference yourself unless you were rendering massive films or music. Suggesting buying new RAM because of this is nonsense.

by thechas

There is a hardware limitation when using a 32 bit operating system and CPU.

The maximum amount of memory that a 32 bit system can address is 4 GB.

While your BIOS recognizes that you have 4GB of RAM installed, the full 4GB is NOT available to Windows.

Windows IS correct in telling you that there is only 3.25GB or RAM available.

Where is the other 750 MB?
The chip-set and BIOS use the upper RAM addresses for a number of system tasks and storage registers. No changes to RAM, your BIOS, or your operating system will allow you to use the full 4GB of RAM you have.

If you want to need to run with more than 3GB of RAM, you need both a 64 bit motherboard and a 64 bit OS.

Chas

by butch_firefox

you said you combined two pairs of ram which are:one, with 667MHZ and the other with 533MHZ...i think it's not compatible...if you are using 667mhz then it must be all 667mhz..if you ARE USING 533MHZ THEN IT MUST BE ALL 533...you could not combine RAMS with different FSB's...for dual core 2.4, 4gb of memory is much...try using first a pair of 667...hope it works and if u wanna make it to 4gb..use the same fsb..that is the front side bus...U

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