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Windows Vista > Forums Home > Windows Vista Forums > Hardware and Drivers > Windows Vista does not report all my memory
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AnswerWindows Vista does not report all my memory

  • Monday, December 08, 2008 10:58 PMRobyn-Support Engineer Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
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    I’m running Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit and I have 8 GB of memory installed. My Bios sees the 8 GB of memory. When I check system properties it only shows 3 GB of memory. How do I get my computer to show all 8 GB?
    • Edited byRobyn-Support Engineer Monday, December 08, 2008 11:53 PM
    • Edited byTheresa-Support EngineerMSFTWednesday, December 10, 2008 6:44 PMedit
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  • Monday, December 08, 2008 10:59 PMRobyn-Support Engineer Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
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    This is a limitation of the 32-bit operating system. For more information on this, please see the following Article:

    The RAM reported by the System Properties dialog box and the System Information tool is less than you expect in Windows Vista or in Windows XP Service Pack 2

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888137/en-us

    Please also see:

    The system memory that is reported in the System Information dialog box in Windows Vista is less than you expect if 4 GB of RAM is installed

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605/en-us

    • Marked As Answer byRobyn-Support Engineer Monday, December 08, 2008 10:59 PM
    • Edited byTheresa-Support EngineerMSFTWednesday, December 10, 2008 6:44 PMedit
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  • Tuesday, December 16, 2008 9:07 PMMuek Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
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     The easiest answer for this question will be:
    Upgrade your Vista to Service Pack 1 (SP1). You still will not be able to use RAM memory over amount about of 3-3,5 GB but your Vista show you all 8 GB
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  • Wednesday, December 24, 2008 8:29 PMGoof2000 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
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    How can I use the memory above the 3,5 GiB?
    Another question about it: is the swap file a part of the limitation of the 3,5 GiB?

    I am now running: Windows Home Premium 32 bit and thinking about upgrade to run 64 bit.
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  • Friday, December 26, 2008 9:59 AMRami - Support EngineerMSFTUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
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    Goof2000, you will require upgrading to a 64-bit OS, as such RAM limitation is related to the system architecture
    Rami
    Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.
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