XP 32b build...2gb to 4gb.

SideWinder · 7 Dec 2010 at 14:00

The IT support desk at work says i can't have a 2gb upgrade because my computer is a XP 32b build...

Can anyone shed any light? Does this mean that the computer just won't see it OR it won't actually work?

setter · 7 Dec 2010 at 14:01

It will only recognise 3.25gb iirc, you need a 64 bit os to fully utilise 4gb.

powelly · 11 Dec 2010 at 13:35

setter said:
It will only recognise 3.25gb iirc, you need a 64 bit os to fully utilise 4gb.

+1

K.C. Leblanc · 11 Dec 2010 at 16:43

setter said:
It will only recognise 3.25gb iirc, you need a 64 bit os to fully utilise 4gb.

That's roughly the amount, 32but OSes can address up to 4gb of memory. However as well as the main system memory you have to allow for graphics memory and various other caches.

That said at work we have bought 4GB machines knowing we won't get full advantage out of them.

Are you in a position to play it to your advantage and make a case to have the machine replaced with one running a 64bit os?

Merk · 13 Dec 2010 at 14:39

It's been a while since i've used XP so a tad rusty but doesn't the /PAE switch at least allow XP to address the 4gb?

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/pae/paedrv.mspx

Info on it...

http://www.brianmadden.com/blogs/brianmadden/archive/2004/02/19/the-4gb-windows-memory-limit-what-does-it-really-mean.aspx

i'm sure my copy of XP back in the day recognised the full 4gb although my memory (pardon the pun) isn't as good as it used to be!

DragonQ · 13 Dec 2010 at 15:11

IIRC the /PAE switch allows XP to assign up to 3 GB to a single application, rather than 2 GB. It doesn't allow it to address more than 4 GB (in most cases between 3.25 and 3.5 GB depending on what other devices are installed).