RAM question.

**Starscream** · by **Starscream** on Mon 19 Jan 2009 - 21:12

can someone translate this to simpler terms.

Thank you for contacting HP Total Care.

I apologize for the delay in answering your message. Due to the increased volume of
messages we receive daily, our response time has increased.

From your email, I understand that you have installed 4GB of memory in the notebook
and you would like to know whether 32 bit version Operating System takes the
advantage of 4GB memory. Let me assist you in this regard.

Chris, this behavior is the expected result of certain hardware and software
factors. I would like to share some information about the usage of notebook memory.
Windows Vista 32-bit Operating System only shows 3GB memory as installed memory
though 4GB memory is installed in the notebook. However, it will use the 4GB memory
and remaining unshown memory will be allocated to any external devices attached,
shared video memory, BIOS, etc.

Memory above 3GB, may not be available due to system resource requirements. The
memory above 3GB is used for PCI I/O and other system resources.

To confirm the total installed memory after upgrading to 4GB, please follow the
steps provided below:

* Turn on the computer.
* Press the F10 key as soon as a message stating "Press F10 to enter setup"
displays. The total memory should then be displayed.
* Press Esc and follow the on-screen instructions to resume startup.

Also, various devices in a typical computer require memory-mapped access. This is
known as memory-mapped I/O (MMIO). For the MMIO space to be available to 32-bit
operating systems, the MMIO space must reside within the first 4GB of address space.

For example, if you have a video card that has 256 MB of onboard memory, that memory
must be mapped within the first 4GB of address space. If 4GB of system memory is
already installed, part of that address space must be reserved by the graphics
memory mapping. Graphics memory mapping overwrites a part of the system memory.
These conditions reduce the total amount of system memory that is available to the
operating system.

The same information is provided in the HP weblink provided below:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&objectID=c01192612&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

NOTE: Clicking the link may give an error indicating
it is invalid. Copy and paste the entire link
in a new browser window and press enter.

For more information about this, please refer the Website provided below:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605

NOTE: The URL above will take you to a non HP Web site. HP does
not control and is not responsible for information outside
of the HP Web site.

I believe this information will help you. If you need further assistance, please
reply to this message and we will be happy to assist you further.

Sincerely,

Marena
HP Total Care

**Starscream** · by **Starscream** on Mon 19 Jan 2009 - 21:13

when i did the F10 thing it said 4gb were installed.

**Spartan 117** · by **Spartan 117** on Mon 19 Jan 2009 - 21:27

then what is your question?

**Starscream** · by **Starscream** on Mon 19 Jan 2009 - 21:30

is my computer using 4gb of memory or not? or should i say should it be using it?

**Spartan 117** · by **Spartan 117** on Mon 19 Jan 2009 - 22:05

**Starscream** · by **Starscream** on Mon 19 Jan 2009 - 22:20

yes. wait what did you mean?

**neoraptor** · by **neoraptor** on Tue 20 Jan 2009 - 22:06

In laymans terms:
Vista only uses 3gb
your extra gb is being used for other, stuff (what I have no idea, but I imagine graphics stuff that vista don't do (e.g your precious C&C))
To make vista use 3gb you do all that f10 crap