why can't xp see more than 2GB of ram???

blastman · 30 May 2008 at 11:46

Hi all,

I've recently jammed some new ram in my system. I used to have 2GB and I've managed to blag another 1GB, so I chucked it in, but windows will only see 2. :confused:

I'm aware of how memory is addressed and the differences between physical and virtual, but my machine, which has only 256mb onboard graphics, LAN card and the other basic components won't register anything above 2GB.

I've read about PAE, but that seems more for server's than XP, and I've tried the /3GB switch on my boot.ini file, but all to no avail.

Any one got any pearls of wisdom???

Cheers in advance.

NathanE · 30 May 2008 at 11:50

What motherboard and chipset is it? Many older motherboards couldn't address more than 2GB of physical memory.

You don't need to use PAE or the /3gb switch. In fact these are misnomers in your case.

blastman · 30 May 2008 at 11:57

I have a FSC server as my desktop. It came with 2003, but I've install xp on it instead.

spec's;

mobo - D2679 (Intel I think)
chipset - Intel 3200

oh, and the graphics is onboard but it's only 32mb not 256!!!

dirtydog · 30 May 2008 at 12:07

A quick google suggests your board supports up to 8GB. I know XP wouldn't see that much, but it should see 3GB.

blastman · 30 May 2008 at 12:10

full pc spec.

if anyone has idea how i can get it see the other gig, I'd be well happy!!!

cheers again!!

dirtydog · 30 May 2008 at 12:12

Is the RAM recognised by the POST screen? You have used ECC RAM right?

blastman · 30 May 2008 at 12:51

cheers for the reply...

Yes, the BIOS can read all 3GB. The post screen flash's to fast to see.

No, I'm not using ECC ram. The machine came with 1GB ECC, but I've removed it and replaced with 2 x 1GB and 2 x 512MB DDR2's. I've paired them up right as well.

I've also got a few extra stick's of DDR2 and no matter what I put in, only 2GB is ever seen.

Dark_Angel · 30 May 2008 at 13:05

I believe you can use the "pause" key to pause post, I could be wrong though.

dirtydog · 30 May 2008 at 13:11

blastman said:
No, I'm not using ECC ram.

I wonder if that's the problem. It would help to know if the 3 gigs are recognised on the POST screen, I don't know if that's possible on your system

blastman · 30 May 2008 at 13:12

I'll have a go now.

back in a bit.......

blastman · 30 May 2008 at 13:24

well all 3GB shows in the POST screen. (and yes pause did the trick!)

any ideas?

cheers again!

blastman · 30 May 2008 at 15:00

anyone?

lsg1r · 30 May 2008 at 17:05

I needed to tick a ram setting in the bios to allow windows to see it all - something to do with blackhole iirc.

blastman · 31 May 2008 at 17:12

lsg1r said:
I needed to tick a ram setting in the bios to allow windows to see it all - something to do with blackhole iirc.

i've been through the BIOS serveral times but there s no option for blackhole iirc, can anyone shed any light on this??

cheers guys.