Anyone think XP sp3 will fix the 3gb limit?

[hypertek]

as titled, XP SP3 has already been leaked, anyone know if this might have solved the 3gb limit of xp 32??

[Rebel44]

Its limit for all 32bit OSs - you can adress only 4GB of memory so 4GB - GPU RAM- soundcard etc. etc. = +- 3GB RAM

Only way to use 4GB RAM or more is to switch to 64bit OS or use PAE (which would cause performance penalty and it enabled only in server versions of Windows).

[mr_tea]

go 64!

[Cyant]

as titled, XP SP3 has already been leaked, anyone know if this might have solved the 3gb limit of xp 32??
Yeah it might have fixed it if they managed to change how mathematics work DUH!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32-bit

[Nenu]

lol :)
Its a shame that 4GB is the max but it is true.

[xghidorax]

Its limit for all 32bit OSs - you can adress only 4GB of memory so 4GB - GPU RAM- soundcard etc. etc. = +- 3GB RAM

Only way to use 4GB RAM or more is to switch to 64bit OS or use PAE (which would cause performance penalty and it enabled only in server versions of Windows).

I am having many questions about this type of stuff as well.

How do I tell what type whether or not my version of XP is 32bit or 64bit?
I was thinking about buying 4 GBs of RAM and I don't want to waste money on something that isn't going to be utilized.

thanks for any help that can be given:D

[Finn]

If you get 3,5gigs of ram, it's 1,5 gigs more than the 2gigs you have now.

Think about it. Ram is cheap, it's no big deal to lose 500mb. You'll lose more than that by installing the bloated POS of Vista. Oh, and chances are you'll run into bluescreens and the sorts immediately upon install since Vista64 typically crashes when running with 4 gigs. Some can't even install it with all the ram in place.

[DeaconFrost]

How do I tell what type whether or not my version of XP is 32bit or 64bit?
Usually you just "know" because it's your computer, but you can check on the General tab of the system properties, or you can check if you have two Program Files directories, one of them being Program Files (x86).

Chances are, if you don't know, you have XP x86. XP x64 wasn't usually pre-loaded on systems

[LstOfTheBrunnenG]

as titled, XP SP3 has already been leaked, anyone know if this might have solved the 3gb limit of xp 32??This is indeed fixed in XP SP3. Also, Vista SP1 has been confirmed to fix the fact that Vista is not XP.

Vista SP2 and XP SP4 should each fix the fact that their target OS is not Linux.

[Blue Falcon]

Here's an idea....

USE THE 64-BIT VERSION OF WINDOWS XP

Seriously... it's screaming fast and doesn't have near the amount of driver availability issues it did when it was first released. (we can thank Vista for that I'm sure)

:)

[Jerome36]

I am having many questions about this type of stuff as well.

How do I tell what type whether or not my version of XP is 32bit or 64bit?
I was thinking about buying 4 GBs of RAM and I don't want to waste money on something that isn't going to be utilized.

thanks for any help that can be given:D

Like DeaconFrost pointed out, it's quite easy to tell whether your version of Windows is 32 or 64 bit. Still, even if you have the 32bit version of Windows, you can get 4 gigs of RAM. How much your computer can recognize and use can depend on something like your videocard. Like if you had 4 gigs of RAM, and you have a 512mb graphics card, your system memory will probably show up as 3.5 gigs. Then, if you eventually move to a 64 bit OS you'll be able to utilize all your memory.

[xghidorax]

Like DeaconFrost pointed out, it's quite easy to tell whether your version of Windows is 32 or 64 bit. Still, even if you have the 32bit version of Windows, you can get 4 gigs of RAM. How much your computer can recognize and use can depend on something like your videocard. Like if you had 4 gigs of RAM, and you have a 512mb graphics card, your system memory will probably show up as 3.5 gigs. Then, if you eventually move to a 64 bit OS you'll be able to utilize all your memory.

Thanks Deacon and Frost for the help!
Deacon, I did do that and I thing with the General Tab and it still isn't telling me what I want to know. I'm pretty sure that I have the 64bit joint since my OS was completely reloaded recently. It doesn't have anything to do with my processor being 64bit correct?
And Jerome I have a 256MB GPU so if I was to upgrade to 4 GBRAM then would you recommend that I also upgrade to a 512MB GPU?
I guess it also says that my Motherboard may have a limit on the speed of RAM that can go in to it DDR2 800... Does that sound right?
Thanks again for any help fellers!:)

[xghidorax]

Whoops I meant Deacon and Jerome!;)

[DeaconFrost]

You're correct that it has nothing to do with your processor being 64 capable. That just means it could be either. A quick trip to your C drive would tell you, based on the Program Files directory or directories.

[Jerome36]

Jerome I have a 256MB GPU so if I was to upgrade to 4 GBRAM then would you recommend that I also upgrade to a 512MB GPU?

No, I wasn't recommending you upgrade your videocard to 512mb. I was simply giving an example of how you won't get the full 4 gigs of memory to show up in a 32 bit OS, because even though a 32bit program can address up to 4 gigs, you end up having to subtract other sources of memory, which includes your graphics card.

[xghidorax]

No, I wasn't recommending you upgrade your videocard to 512mb. I was simply giving an example of how you won't get the full 4 gigs of memory to show up in a 32 bit OS, because even though a 32bit program can address up to 4 gigs, you end up having to subtract other sources of memory, which includes your graphics card.

AHH, I'm learning... haha!!

This guy I know down the street works in Software for ATI so he is going to give me his 512 in exchange for my 256, I just talked to him a couple of hours ago. He was like "I don't even play games so if you are in to that kind of stuff then you can have mine."
So I get to upgrade and don't even have to pay for it!
Off to buy some new RAM then I guess!

Thanks again both of you guys for your help.
Pretty sweet!

[PsichoDM]

I am having many questions about this type of stuff as well.

How do I tell what type whether or not my version of XP is 32bit or 64bit?
I was thinking about buying 4 GBs of RAM and I don't want to waste money on something that isn't going to be utilized.

thanks for any help that can be given:D

I actually have 4gb on my machine and I saw a noticeable improvement from just 2. Maybe it's just me, but it's worth the try.

[Finn]

AHH, I'm learning... haha!!

This guy I know down the street works in Software for ATI so he is going to give me his 512 in exchange for my 256, I just talked to him a couple of hours ago. He was like "I don't even play games so if you are in to that kind of stuff then you can have mine."
So I get to upgrade and don't even have to pay for it!
Off to buy some new RAM then I guess!

Thanks again both of you guys for your help.
Pretty sweet!

So he's trading your HD3850 256mb model to his X800 512mb? Go for it! :p

[DeaconFrost]

You would still see a difference, because, at the very least, it would be like going from 2 GB to 3 GB. But, considering it costs an extra $10, why not just make the leap to x64?

[Finn]

You would still see a difference, because, at the very least, it would be like going from 2 GB to 3 GB. But, considering it costs an extra $10, why not just make the leap to x64?

x64 will cost him a lot more than $10. A _lot_ more.

[pallesen]

They introduced the 4GB limited address space in SP2, to deal with bad drivers. So I don't think they will change it back in SP3

[Lepard]

They introduced the 4GB limited address space in SP2, to deal with bad drivers. So I don't think they will change it back in SP3

Wow

[cerebrex]

time to upgrade to vista.

[DeaconFrost]

They introduced the 4GB limited address space in SP2, to deal with bad drivers. So I don't think they will change it back in SP3
Wow
I'm holding out hope that the first comment a joke and not meant seriously.

[Hurdler]

They introduced the 4GB limited address space in SP2, to deal with bad drivers. So I don't think they will change it back in SP3

I really hope that you're joking. Pretty funny first post though.

[cerebrex]

I really hope that you're joking. Pretty funny first post though.

Yeah, proper introduction to hardforum - getting flamed. The 4GB limit is strictly hardware - no - to answer the OP's question - it will not be fixed. Upgrade to vista x64.

[pallesen]

Many years ago Intel invented something called PAE, which expands the physical address space in 32-bit systems.

Most systems today is running in PAE mode to support DEP in hardware. But because of the driver issue, Microsoft began to ignore the address space above 4G in SP2.

So with PAE and proper hardware support, the 4G-boundary is not the limit.

I'm not a joker, I actually research the stuff. A couple of links:

Changes in SP2:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457155.aspx

The amount of RAM reported is less than you expect after you install SP2:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888137

[Hurdler]

Yeah, proper introduction to hardforum - getting flamed. The 4GB limit is strictly hardware - no - to answer the OP's question - it will not be fixed. Upgrade to vista x64.

No, it is not hardware. The fact remains that at 32bit system can only deal with up to 4GB at one time (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32-bit. And yes, to raise such an interesting point without providing backup is pretty close to an invitation for a flame. Now that he has provided more information, I know that he's not just spouting shit like it first seemed.

pallesen: I did look over those articles, and it seems that it's still a limitation of the 32bit architecture. The Server OS's allow you to deal with much more memory, but I believe that one program can only use 4GB at one time.

[xghidorax]

So I got that four GBs of RAM that I wanted to get and I loaded her in and when I go to the properties of 'My Computer' it says that it's seeing 3.25 of it.
Is there anything recommended to bump this up.
Something that can be done in the BIOS?

...Something other than someone saying "Upgrade to Vista"

Thanks fellers for helping out someone who is obviously still learning,haha!:confused:

[DeaconFrost]

You don't have to go to Vista, but if you want to use all of your 4 GB of memory, you'll need an x64 OS. It's one of the few cut and dry issues we have on here now. To use all of your 4 GB of memory, you need an x64 OS.

As for bumping it up, that's not likely, mainly because that address space that's "missing" is reserved by some of your hardware resources.

[Jester1550]

So I got that four GBs of RAM that I wanted to get and I loaded her in and when I go to the properties of 'My Computer' it says that it's seeing 3.25 of it.
Is there anything recommended to bump this up.
Something that can be done in the BIOS?

...Something other than someone saying "Upgrade to Vista"

Thanks fellers for helping out someone who is obviously still learning,haha!:confused:

Answer was posted earlier


USE THE 64-BIT VERSION OF WINDOWS XP

[cerebrex]

Answer was posted earlier


Just delay the inevitable...? Everyone here will be running Vista, just get it over with and jump on the bandwagon now.

[RangerXML]

lol, for all we know we are gonna have die hards hanging onto XP tooth and nail till '09 and drag us along on the 32bit band wagon because they stubbornly convincing people that 64bit is bad because its not supported by any driver manufactures when in reality its because the manufactures wont develop 64bit because of holdouts. Its a vicious cycle.

[eeyrjmr]

ONLY is this SP is shipped with a 64bit CPU and replaces 90% of system files
its possible but severly unlikely

and its 4gig not 3gig (unless you have alot of other hardware that is taking 1gig worth of memory addresses)

[Dew]

lol, for all we know we are gonna have die hards hanging onto XP tooth and nail till '09 and drag us along on the 32bit band wagon because they stubbornly convincing people that 64bit is bad because its not supported by any driver manufactures when in reality its because the manufactures wont develop 64bit because of holdouts. Its a vicious cycle.

Not really. In order to get a "Vista Compatible" seal, hardware must have 32bit and 64bit Vista WHQL drivers.

[cerebrex]

Not really. In order to get a "Vista Compatible" seal, hardware must have 32bit and 64bit Vista WHQL drivers.


good. People need to stop delaying the inevitable.. what are you going to stop 64 bit? seriously... the more people that upgrade to vista 64, the more demand there will be to speed up the inevitable - more efficient and faster programs.

[pallesen]

pallesen: I did look over those articles, and it seems that it's still a limitation of the 32bit architecture. The Server OS's allow you to deal with much more memory, but I believe that one program can only use 4GB at one time.

I would like to think that PAE is also a part of the 32-bit architecture. PAE is just a "mode" you switch the CPU into. The structure of the page table changes, from a 2-layer to a 3-layer model, which allows to address more than 4GB of physical memory.

Server editions are also ordinary 32-bit OSes, just like XP and Vista. And as mentioned in the articles, both XP and Vista can be switched into PAE mode. They just contain some (different) program code in the memory manager that ignores physical addresses above 4G.

For example, Linux 32-bit is also capable of going beyond 4G.

Edit: It's true that without using the special AWE API, a single application is limited to the 2-3 GB user space.

[xghidorax]

You don't have to go to Vista, but if you want to use all of your 4 GB of memory, you'll need an x64 OS. It's one of the few cut and dry issues we have on here now. To use all of your 4 GB of memory, you need an x64 OS.

As for bumping it up, that's not likely, mainly because that address space that's "missing" is reserved by some of your hardware resources.

So there is a possibility that it is using all of it but the OS itself has taken its own little piece and is showing what is left over after that?

I thought because you said that I only have one Program Files directory that I do in fact have the 64 bit version of XP since it does not say when I pull up the My Computer properties?
If in fact I don't have that one, how would I go about updating said XP?
Also is there a possibility that new patches or drivers for hardware would do anything in this arena, should I look in to that?

Thanks Deacon

[Rebel44]

So there is a possibility that it is using all of it but the OS itself has taken its own little piece and is showing what is left over after that?

I thought because you said that I only have one Program Files directory that I do in fact have the 64 bit version of XP since it does not say when I pull up the My Computer properties?
If in fact I don't have that one, how would I go about updating said XP?
Also is there a possibility that new patches or drivers for hardware would do anything in this arena, should I look in to that?

Thanks Deacon


If you have 64bit OS and you system doesnt see all your RAM you need to enable "Memory remaping" in BIOS.

[DeaconFrost]

Not really. In order to get a "Vista Compatible" seal, hardware must have 32bit and 64bit Vista WHQL drivers.
If I understand it right as well, for a game to be branded as "Games For Windows", it must run on both platforms as well.

[Hurdler]

So there is a possibility that it is using all of it but the OS itself has taken its own little piece and is showing what is left over after that?

I thought because you said that I only have one Program Files directory that I do in fact have the 64 bit version of XP since it does not say when I pull up the My Computer properties?
If in fact I don't have that one, how would I go about updating said XP?
Also is there a possibility that new patches or drivers for hardware would do anything in this arena, should I look in to that?

Thanks Deacon

He said that if you have 2 program files directories then you have the 64bit version. Since you only have one Program Files folder, then you have the 32bit version. As has been said a couple of times, this is the limit of 32bit XP. There is currently nothing that can change this without upgrading your OS.

[der_jackal]

He said that if you have 2 program files directories then you have the 64bit version. Since you only have one Program Files folder, then you have the 32bit version.


The simple answer to "How do I figure out if I'm running 64bit"?

Start >> run "cmd"

You're in 32bit.

C:\Users\jerkwad>"%Processor_architecture%"
'"x86"' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.


You're in 64bit

C:\Users\jerkwad_x64>"%Processor_architecture%"
'"AMD64"' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.



I don't have any machines running C2D in EMT64 bit mode...but IIRC it still shows up as AMD64.

[Hurdler]

The simple answer to "How do I figure out if I'm running 64bit"?

<snip>

I don't have any machines running C2D in EMT64 bit mode...but IIRC it still shows up as AMD64.

Heh, cool! I didn't know that.

[MrGuvernment]

Here's an idea....

USE THE 64-BIT VERSION OF WINDOWS XP

Seriously... it's screaming fast and doesn't have near the amount of driver availability issues it did when it was first released. (we can thank Vista for that I'm sure)

:)

if your going to buy a new x64 bit OS you might as well get Vista.

[TechLarry]

Huh?

They introduced the 4GB limited address space in SP2, to deal with bad drivers. So I don't think they will change it back in SP3

[Hurdler]

Huh?

About the middle of page 2 he provided links to back up this claim.