Vista shows 3.25gb or ram, not 4gb

[illuminate]

okay, on saturday i got 2 x 2gb sticks of ddr2. I popped them in, the PC started fine. I checked cpu-z and it shows 4gb of ram. But, vista only shows 3.25 gb of ram.

My question is: Is Vista only *really* seeing 3.25 GB, or just saying that? CPU-Z picks up all 4gb, but Vista isnt. Any ideas on how to fix that?
Also, i know the OS is x32.. is that the reason why?

 

[Azureth]

You need a 64-bit OS. You can get an upgrade disc from Microsoft for like $10.

 

[an51r]

Yeah a 32 bit operating system will only recognize four GB of ram total. So with video card memory and the motherboards onboard memory it leaves the rest to your ram

 

[firebane]

You need a 64-bit OS. You can get an upgrade disc from Microsoft for like $10.

He doesn't need a 64bit OS but he may want one.

 

[Azureth]

He doesn't need a 64bit OS but he may want one.

He'll need one if he wants to use all of his RAM.

 

[firebane]

He'll need one if he wants to use all of his RAM.

He isn't going to notice a difference between that small amount he lost

 

[silent-circuit]

He isn't going to notice a difference between that small amount he lost

750MB is a small amount now?

 

[illuminate]

ah, okay. I had a feeling it had to do with video and motherboard memory. So, if i went with x64 Xp Pro (that's the other OS i have) i should be okay?
It will say that i have 4.00gb ram, and then ____ video memory?

 

[Dangman]

Also have you updated to SP1? With Vista SP1, Vista will report the 4GB of RAM. Though as everyone said, you'll need a 64bit OS in order to actually use all 4GB of RAM.

 

[silent-circuit]

ah, okay. I had a feeling it had to do with video and motherboard memory. So, if i went with x64 Xp Pro (that's the other OS i have) i should be okay?
It will say that i have 4.00gb ram, and then ____ video memory?

I'd spend the $10 to get 64bit media from Microsoft for Vista rather than using XP Pro X64, myself.

 

[illuminate]

Yes, i updated to SP1 last night, but it still says 3.25

I'd spend the $10 to get 64bit media from Microsoft for Vista rather than using XP Pro X64, myself.

Ah, okay. I might do that then.

 

[firebane]

Also have you updated to SP1? With Vista SP1, Vista will report the 4GB of RAM. Though as everyone said, you'll need a 64bit OS in order to actually use all 4GB of RAM.

Actually Vista still uses 3.25 or less but Microsoft made a change in the GUI that if you had 4gb and it showed 2gb it'll still show 4gb to avoid the question the OP asked.

 

[silent-circuit]

Actually Vista still uses 3.25 or less but Microsoft made a change in the GUI that if you had 4gb and it showed 2gb it'll still show 4gb to avoid the question the OP asked.

That is what he said. Exactly.

 

[Azureth]

ah, okay. I had a feeling it had to do with video and motherboard memory. So, if i went with x64 Xp Pro (that's the other OS i have) i should be okay?
It will say that i have 4.00gb ram, and then ____ video memory?

Vista 64>>>>>>>>>>XP 64.

 

[Azureth]

He isn't going to notice a difference between that small amount he lost

I don't understand why you're arguing with me. He wanted to know why he can't use all 4 GB, I told him why and what he needs if he wants to use it all.

 

[illuminate]

Vista 64>>>>>>>>>>XP 64.

lol. okay. On wednesday I'm gonna get the x64 upgrade. Gotta wait till classes are done for the week so that i'm not rushed to reinstall the school-needed apps.