Topic: Computer Memory Question

[Corbomite]

I just bought two 2 gig memory chips and when I run DXDIAG it tells me that I only have 3326 MB. When I plug in one new chip and the two old 512's it tells me I have 3076 MB. What gives? Why am I losing 2/3 of a gig?

Any help would be appreciated.

P.S. I switched chips to make sure one of them wasn't bad or something and got the same result.
Running XP with 32 bit I believe with AMD 5400+ dual processors. Not sure of the Mhz.

[Bonk]

Onboard video?

[Corbomite]

Onboard video?

Nvidia with 256 MB.

[Corbomite]

I did get a message a few times when I ran DXDIAG saying it had a problem doing something with the system information and did I want to skip it. It stopped displaying that when I stopped putting in two different company's chips.

[Nemesis]

Windows XP 32 bit memory limit. 

[Corbomite]

Windows XP 32 bit memory limit.

Thought it might be that, but I was under the impression it was a full 4 gigs.

[Nemesis]

Windows XP 32 bit memory limit.

Thought it might be that, but I was under the impression it was a full 4 gigs.

Somewhere between 3 and 4 gb (it varies) the extra memory gets used up by various "preemption's". 

[Pestalence_XC]

Windows XP can use 4GB but only recognizes 3 GB memory. You have to trick it to use the full 4 GB that it can handle.

Find your boot INI file and add the command switch /3gb

/3GB
This switch forces x86-based systems to allocate 3 GB of virtual address space to programs and 1 GB to the kernel and to executive components. A program must be designed to take advantage of the additional memory address space. With this switch, user mode programs can access 3 GB of memory instead of the usual 2 GB that Windows XP allocates to user mode programs. The switch moves the starting point of kernel memory to 3 GB.

The OS will never display much more than 3GB system RAM.. but with the switch, your OS will use 1 GB leaving the other 3 GB free for programs.


Also another switch that augments this.. Also needs to be in the Boot INI file next to the /3GB switch

/userva
Use this switch to customize the amount of memory that is allocated to processes when you use the /3GB switch. This switch permits more page table entry (PTE) kernel memory but still maintains almost 3 GB of process memory space. Usually a setting of /userva=2900 will provide close to the maximum available number of system page table entries possible.

if possible, make sure all the memory is all the same for speed and latency.. if any is different for latency or speed, the system will error out and get frequent Blue Screens of Death.


Best to buy all 4 GB system memory at once from the same manufacturer at that being the same type. Newegg sells 4GB memory kits really cheap that will solve this problem for you.. however you will still need the /3GB switch in the Boot.ini system file.

[Nemesis]

Thanks for the details Pesty, my personal systems have never gone over 2 gb so I've never had direct experience with more.

[Pestalence_XC]

NP.. I just hope it helps

[stoneyface]

or install a 64 bit OS like win7 64!

well....it's true, it would fix it.

[Pestalence_XC]

Agreed it would fix it.. or to keep playing SFC OP.. he can install Windows XP x64 (basically a scaled up version of server 2003 x64 with all the bells and wistles added back in). Then his system will be able to recognize 8GB natively (hard limit on XP x64).

[Nemesis]

or install a 64 bit OS like win7 64!

So long as  your other programs will run under the 64bit OS.

Of course 64bit Linux distributions have vast repositories of 64bit software 

[Corbomite]

I haven't done this fix yet as it involves doing things that are "out of norm". I've updated my video card driver and the sound driver I have seems to be the most up to date (checking performance on that now). I'm pretty sure its not a memory problem as there are people running around with less system specs than me and are having no issues. The problem is consistant when it allows me to fix it "in game"; that is the game will freeze, then after a minute or so it will minimize down to desktop and my sound control panel is up and indicating that I have just plugged in the speakers. If I press OK to the query of what device I just plugged in, the game resumes just fine. It allows me to do this about 30% of the time. The rest of the time it just hard freezes and I have to do a restart from the button on the front of my box.

[FRA.E.Kehakoul_XC]

Do you use onboard sound or a soundcard?

ANd for the switch open msconfig and put it in looks like in the picture,.. the second switch follows obviously next..

[Corbomite]

Gee Keha, that might actually be helpful... if I spoke German! 

[FCM_SFHQ_XC]

Gee Keha, that might actually be helpful... if I spoke German! 

Here is a screenshot example for the switches engish version , first make sure "Hide Protected Operating System Files" is unchecked in Folder Options, then in C:\
open boot.ini with notepad then ad /3GB /userva=2900 as shown in the screenshot in the red box. the one above it is supposed to represent BEFORE modification then the one in the red is AFTER no need to have 2 of them, I just did it that way for easy comparision

[Pestalence_XC]

Thanks for the screenie SFHQ.. I gave him the information yesterday by way of PM, however your screen shot speaks volumes. and may have stated it more eloquently than my PM to him.. though relayed the same info.

[Corbomite]

Thanks for all the help and advice, but it seems to have been a driver issue. Updated and have been running smooth all day.

[Pestalence_XC]

Corb.. you will still need to do the Switch in your Boot.ini file.. if you don't.. your system will only use 3GB out of the 4 you have installed..

with the switch, your system will use all 4 GB..

Your choice, but the /3gb Switch is necessary evil for systems with over 3GB installed (on 32 bit OS that is).