8.gig ram installed windows 8.1 only 3.25gig usable?

Jimbo · 9 Jan 2014 at 11:00

I was looking in my control panel and noticed the message 8.00 GB (3.25GB usable) Im running windows 8.1 on a slightly old ASUS P5Q-E motherboard, it does me fine. But how can I solve this? :confused:

Some info for you....

OS Name Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
Version 6.3.9600 Build 9600
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name JIMBO-PC
System Manufacturer System manufacturer
System Model P5Q-E
System Type X86-based PC
System SKU To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q9400 @ 2.66GHz, 2670 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. 2101, 06/04/2009
SMBIOS Version 2.5
Embedded Controller Version 255.255
BIOS Mode Legacy
BaseBoard Manufacturer ASUSTeK Computer INC.
BaseBoard Model Not Available
BaseBoard Name Base Board
Platform Role Desktop
Secure Boot State Unsupported
PCR7 Configuration Binding Not Possible
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United Kingdom
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.3.9600.16408"
Username Jimbo-PC\JIMBO-PC\Jimbo
Time Zone GMT Standard Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 8.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 3.25 GB
Available Physical Memory 1.87 GB
Total Virtual Memory 3.81 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.94 GB
Page File Space 576 MB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys
Hyper-V - VM Monitor Mode Extensions Yes
Hyper-V - Second Level Address Translation Extensions No
Hyper-V - Virtualisation Enabled in Firmware Yes
Hyper-V - Data Execution Protection Yes

Azraeluk · 9 Jan 2014 at 11:05

Did you happen to install the 32bit version of Windows 8?

32bit OS's have a physical restriction of only being able to access 3.2gb of RAM.

Jimbo · 9 Jan 2014 at 11:16

Damn yeah I only have 32bit os. So that's why? I should have bought the 64 bit version? I just went 32 bit for compatibility at the time.

Solaris · 9 Jan 2014 at 11:19

Yeah, 32-bit can't address memory beyond 3.25GB, you HAVE to have the 64-bit version. Compatibility issues are pretty non existent now and have been for a while...

marc2003 · 9 Jan 2014 at 11:28

Jimbo said:
Damn yeah I only have 32bit os. So that's why? I should have bought the 64 bit version? I just went 32 bit for compatibility at the time.

at the time?

most things worked on XP x64 edition without much trouble and that was 9 odd years ago. and when vista came out in 2006/7, that's when it went properly mainstream. i know some people had issues with it but it's fair to say there have been no problems at all since 2009 when 7 came out.

anyway, you can grab a 64bit ISO online and use your key with it. you're licensed for both versions- just one at a time, obviously. it will mean a complete re-install though.

Jimbo · 9 Jan 2014 at 11:44

Ah that's tremendous thanks Marc and guys. What a tool I am lol

Jimbo · 9 Jan 2014 at 11:50

Another stupid question... Anyone got a link to 64bit ISO ?

Jimbo · 9 Jan 2014 at 12:14

Aw this aint good. It seems upgrade advisor only lets me upgrade to 64bit if i have a 64bit system installed. As in win 7 x64 to win 8 x64. Not win 8x32 to win 8x64. it checks the OS version. Only way I can see me getting x64 bit win 8 is going on my nieces vista which i gave her and is 64 bit and running upgrade advisor and downloading the iso to dvd. Christ what a faff lol.

shankly1985 · 9 Jan 2014 at 12:14

Jimbo said:
Another stupid question... Anyone got a link to 64bit ISO ?

Maybe try following the Windows 8 upgrade software again and near the end it will ask how you want to install choose option to burn to disk.

The problem here you cant do it on your Windows 8 pc because it will see you have 32bit and it will auto download the 32bit again.

You need a PC with Windows 64bit so if you dont have one you will first need to install copy Windows 7 64bit and then follow this guide again.
This the only way I think you can download a iso from Microsoft I may be wrong though.

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?linkid=271128

Edit
See you posted above, you can install windows 7 again? download a iso of Windows 7 64bit and redo your upgrade.

Jimbo · 9 Jan 2014 at 12:23

Yeah thanks Shankly. Problem i have is i gave my niece a pc with my legit vista 64bit os running on it. I don't have a working legit version of windows 7, at least not 64bit. So my solution to this will be run upgrade advisor on that then download the 64 bit version of windows 8. But! of course this wouldn't work on my current windows 8 32bit version? as it has to be a x64bit os installed? what a mare. Seems i might just have to make do with what i have.

Jimbo · 9 Jan 2014 at 12:24

Unless I could install vista x64 bit on this pc and not activate it then download and upgrade? wonder if would work? hmmm.

shankly1985 · 9 Jan 2014 at 12:40

Jimbo said:
Unless I could install vista x64 bit on this pc and not activate it then download and upgrade? wonder if would work? hmmm.

I not sure if it will check the version is legit.

AStaley · 9 Jan 2014 at 12:45

I'm not currently in front of my PC so can't check the links, but you should be able find links to download the ISO's from Digital River. Quick Google should list them.

shankly1985 · 9 Jan 2014 at 12:48

Jim have little read this.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html

Jimbo · 9 Jan 2014 at 13:04

Thank you guys that's very helpful il try tonight after work : )

CaptainCrash · 9 Jan 2014 at 13:06

Jimbo,

Download the x64 ISO for your version of Windows 8.1 - if you're not a MSDN/Technet member it can be a bit of a faff to find a trustworthy source, but check out "The Windows 8.1 (& related) Repository" thread on the My Digital Life forum.

Install it using the 8.1 Pro placeholder key XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

When you're done and you're satisfied that everything's up and running OK, change the product key to the one you purchased.

Activate and enjoy.

shankly1985 · 9 Jan 2014 at 13:08

CaptainCrash said:
Jimbo,

Download the x64 ISO for your version of Windows 8.1 - if you're not a MSDN/Technet member it can be a bit of a faff to find a trustworthy source, but check out "The Windows 8.1 (& related) Repository" thread on the My Digital Life forum.

Install it using the 8.1 Pro placeholder key XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

When you're done and you're satisfied that everything's up and running OK, change the product key to the one you purchased.

Activate and enjoy.

Good idea

gareth170 · 9 Jan 2014 at 14:43

Jimbo said:
Damn yeah I only have 32bit os. So that's why? I should have bought the 64 bit version? I just went 32 bit for compatibility at the time.

you bought it from a retailer? 8.1 oem or upgrade version?

if it's oem then you can't use the 8.0 upgrade advisor. you could download the full 8.1 x64 iso if you bought the 8.1 oem version.

Tomsk · 9 Jan 2014 at 15:01

Jimbo said:
Yeah thanks Shankly. Problem i have is i gave my niece a pc with my legit vista 64bit os running on it. I don't have a working legit version of windows 7, at least not 64bit. So my solution to this will be run upgrade advisor on that then download the 64 bit version of windows 8. But! of course this wouldn't work on my current windows 8 32bit version? as it has to be a x64bit os installed? what a mare. Seems i might just have to make do with what i have.

When I was messing about with 8.0 upgrades, I'm sure I could use the download link I got by doing the upgrade process on my 32bit OS on a 64bit OS to download the 64bit ISO.

Jimbo · 9 Jan 2014 at 17:06

Brilliant captain crash thanks will do tonight. My windows is 8 pro upgrade, I got it when ms done the offer for £15 bargain I think. Il get it changed to 64bit thanks to you guys. I only relised by looking at control panel today it wasnt using my full 8gig ram. My stupid mistake baaaah.