only 3.19GB ram usable out of 4GB

[yas1320]

Hi,

 

Could someone tell me why the system properties is saying 4.00GB (3.19GB usable).  I am running windows 7 home premium 32 bit.  I would have thought if i have 4GB, the system would use 4GB.  

 

PS I don't know much about computers.

 

Thanks

 

Yas1320 

[LaP]

32 bits ....

[devHead]

You just explained why in your question.  A 32-bit operating system can not use a full 4GB of RAM.  Why did you install a 32-bit OS with that much memory?  I think your post is number 768 of the people that have asked this question.  

Sorry, I don't mean to beat you up.

[yas1320]

thanks +devHead.  I had my pc made sometime ago and wasn't told it was pointless putting that much ram on a 32-bit OS system.  Thanks again for giving this info.  So, I am right in thinking the 32-bit OS system will only support no more than 3.19GB?

[Hum]

You may be able to move up to 64-bit with Anytime upgrade:

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/videos/upgrade-to-another-edition-of-windows-7-by-using-windows-anytime-upgrade

 

Here is a 64-bit for $130 -- depending on what you want to spend:

 

http://www.softwareking.com/microsoft-windows/microsoft-windows-7/microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-oem-dvd-x64bit

 

Here is a Windows product key/download for $88:

 

http://www.tek-micro.com/ms-windows-7-pro-64-bit-download/

[LaP]

You may be able to move up to 64-bit with Anytime upgrade:

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/videos/upgrade-to-another-edition-of-windows-7-by-using-windows-anytime-upgrade

 

 

I think you can install the 64 bits version using the 32 bits license.

 

If i remember correctly i bought the 32 bits version of Vista and got the 64 bits cd later paying the cd only from ms web site. COuld be wrong that was a long time ago.

[TAZMINATOR]

You may be able to move up to 64-bit with Anytime upgrade:

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/videos/upgrade-to-another-edition-of-windows-7-by-using-windows-anytime-upgrade

 

Here is a 64-bit for $130 -- depending on what you want to spend:

 

http://www.softwareking.com/microsoft-windows/microsoft-windows-7/microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-oem-dvd-x64bit

 

This.

 

Before you make a purchase that Hum suggested. Check your system to see if the hardware is 64bit with the checker at the following URL:

 

http://www.igorware.com/64bit-checker

 

If your system is not 64bit, then you can not install 64bit OS on it but the installer will install 32bit instead.

[yas1320]

thanks guys you all have been a great help.  My CPU does support 64-bit operating system.  Something for me to look into now.  Cheers Guys!

[Radium]

32-bits of address space is limited to exactly 4 GB.

The problem is that the RAM is not the only thing that uses the address space. x86 (16, 32, 64) only has ONE address space. The first part of the address space is reserved for certain legacy functions as well as new standards. Devices with DMA function are directly mapped onto the space as well, such as graphics cards.

There is no fixed amount of address space that is used by RAM. If you add more devices that get mapped to the address space that you have, less RAM can be mapped onto that address space.

The amount of bytes that can fit into the address space is (bits^2)+1.

[Mindovermaster Global Moderator]

Radium, don't get technical, he understands now.

 

And the amount of RAM you can see includes you GPU RAM as well.

[+Ryster Subscriber²]

Why anybody would even contemplate installing the 32-bit version of Windows on a machine fully capable of 64-bit is beyond me.  Who built your computer for you? If it's a computer store, I'd be seriously questioning their competence right about now.

 

I had my pc made sometime ago and wasn't told it was pointless putting that much ram on a 32-bit OS system.

 

It's the other way around really, it's pointless putting a 32-bit OS on a machine with 4 GB of RAM and above.

[yas1320]

Why anybody would even contemplate installing the 32-bit version of Windows on a machine fully capable of 64-bit is beyond me.  Who built your computer for you? If it's a computer store, I'd be seriously questioning their competence right about now.

 

 

 

 

It's the other way around really, it's pointless putting a 32-bit OS on a machine with 4 GB of RAM and above.

Unfortunately it was a computer store.  They were recommended by someone.   Can't do anything about it now, its been about 4 year or so.

[xWhiplash]

Why not just install 64-bit on even 2GB of RAM?  If you ever decide to upgrade later to 4-16GB, you wouldn't need to reinstall the OS to get 64-bit.  

[farmeunit]

You don't need to buy the 64-bit version.  Just find a 64-bit disc matching the version you have.

[Deihmos]

yas1320, on 15 Aug 2014 - 20:18, said:

thanks guys you all have been a great help.  My CPU does support 64-bit operating system.  Something for me to look into now.  Cheers Guys!

 

The license for 32bit is the same for 64bit

[rsrcomp]

If you need the ISO this site has them.

 

2nd one down: Home Premium 64 bit.

 

IF THE KEY does not work call the Microsoft Activation # - Windows activation: (888) 571-2048

tell them it does not work with 64 bit they will give you a new one.

 

http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/

 

 

[spy beef]

32-bits of address space is limited to exactly 4 GB.

The problem is that the RAM is not the only thing that uses the address space. x86 (16, 32, 64) only has ONE address space. The first part of the address space is reserved for certain legacy functions as well as new standards. Devices with DMA function are directly mapped onto the space as well, such as graphics cards.

There is no fixed amount of address space that is used by RAM. If you add more devices that get mapped to the address space that you have, less RAM can be mapped onto that address space.

The amount of bytes that can fit into the address space is (bits^2)+1.

 

Excellent explanation.

[PGHammer]

You may be able to move up to 64-bit with Anytime upgrade:

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/videos/upgrade-to-another-edition-of-windows-7-by-using-windows-anytime-upgrade

 

Here is a 64-bit for $130 -- depending on what you want to spend:

 

http://www.softwareking.com/microsoft-windows/microsoft-windows-7/microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-oem-dvd-x64bit

 

Here is a Windows product key/download for $88:

 

http://www.tek-micro.com/ms-windows-7-pro-64-bit-download/

Actually, he should be able to crossgrade -  as long as the SKU (not the bitness) is identical, the key does not change.

Also, some PCs got hobbled due to BIOS quirks, despite being more than capable of swallowing 4+GB.

 

True story - my Mom's HP DC7600 (refurbished) came with 2 GB (eight DDR2 RAM slots) but has 5 GB onboard today.  The issues were twofold - when she bought it, four of the eight DIMM slots were populated with 512MB sticks (cheap), AND there was a BIOS bug which resulted in an address "hole" - which is why it came with XP32.  After updating the BIOS, I reinstalled Windows 7 x32 (which Mom's old PC was running), then crossgraded to 7 x64 (same key), and used the USMT to migrate her settings.  The crossgrade worked because she was also going to a larger HDD than her old one - a crossgrade requires an HDD the same size or larger.