XP only showing 2GB RAM when I have 4GB Installed!!!

Joebob · 20 Mar 2012 at 11:54

I have dug out an old machine and got it setup with XP and plan to use it in my home office until I can afford something better/newer.

Anyhow, I have 2 x 2GB DDR2 RAM sticks installed but XP only shows as 2GB... the whole 4GB is showing in CPU-Z though!

I have updated to Service-pack 3 as I know it never used to show above 2GB without service packs installed.

I have a lot of applications open at once and really need the whole 3.75GB (I believe this is the max that will show under XP 32bit).

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Pho · 20 Mar 2012 at 11:58

Check that a) your motherboard support more than 2GB and b) that your video card isn't using some of the memory as shared memory (disable the onboard card in the BIOS and use a dedicated one if you can).

Can't you just install the x64 version of XP?

Joebob · 20 Mar 2012 at 11:59

Pho said:
Check that a) your motherboard support more than 2GB and b) that your video card isn't using some of the memory as shared memory (disable the onboard card in the BIOS and use a dedicated one if you can).

Can't you just install the x64 version of XP?

I have a video card with 1GB dedicated memory. I don't have XP 64bit.

Simian · 20 Mar 2012 at 12:09

I think a 32bit OS will only see a maximum of 3.75Gb (ish) which includes the Memory (even if its on-board) of the Graphics Card

So your 1Gb will be included, but not shown there!!

(I Think

)

Burnsy2023 · 20 Mar 2012 at 12:32

How much ram does your bios recognize?

bledd · 20 Mar 2012 at 16:42

Run 'Speccy' and check the Memory section.

My guess is the GPU's 1gb preventing it from showing.

marc2003 · 20 Mar 2012 at 17:51

do you have a 64bit cpu? if so grab one of the following

1) trial version of windows 7 lasts 90 days
2) trial version of windows 2008 R2 server lasts 180 days
3) windows 8 CP lasts until next january i think.

3dcandy · 21 Mar 2012 at 14:10

time to ditch xp mate I'm afraid....win 7 x64 will be worth it

Azuse05 · 21 Mar 2012 at 14:20

Iirc the 2 gb limit was a bios issue, although that was years and years ago, how old is this mobo/when was the last time you checked the settings or updated the bios?

Nightglow · 21 Mar 2012 at 14:25

Azuse05 said:
Iirc the 2 gb limit was a bios issue, although that was years and years ago, how old is this mobo/when was the last time you checked the settings or updated the bios?

I had that problem at least 5 years ago with XP.

3dcandy · 21 Mar 2012 at 14:49

It's also to do with the address limit and a 1gb gfx card...some BIOS's just weren't up to the task

Joebob · 23 Mar 2012 at 09:03

Burnsy2023 said:
How much ram does your bios recognize?

BIOS only recognises 2GB - the thing that threw me is that CPU-Z recognises all 4GB!!!

I will try a BIOS update and get back to you!

If it was because of the 1GB in the GFX card then surely it would be showing as 2.75GB (3.75GB - 1GB in GFX).???

bledd · 23 Mar 2012 at 09:13

Try re-seating your ram too

Joebob · 23 Mar 2012 at 13:05

bledd. said:
Try re-seating your ram too

I dont think this is the problem as I originally had 3GB in and it was only showing as 2 so I assumed it was because it wasnt matched pairs - after changing to 2 x 2GB sticks though it is still the same!