Expert: Bobbert - 10/11/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Bobbert,
Just purchased a new pc. Running Windows XP Pro SP3, downgraded from Vista. It came with 1GB RAM. I had the store remove the 1GB and install 2-2GB modules. When I check Accessories/System Tools/System Information it recognizes 4GB as Total Physical Memory. But when I check Windows Task Manager/Performance the Physical Memory Total is only 3GB. When I check Properties in My Computer it shows 3GB memory. I am running AVG Internet Security v8.5.x. When I check the System in Help/About AVG it shows 3GB memory. In each case available memory is about 2.2GB.
Is the pc somehow still registering the 1GB instead of the 2GB installed to replace it? Is there a setting or parameter that needs to be changed to properly see the 2GB module or even a jumper on the motherboard? Thank you. Robert

ANSWER: Nothing at all is wrong with the system, this is simply a limitation of Windows XP's 32-bit architecture. There isn't a thing you can do to "fix" this issue, other than accept it as a limitation of software design. There will be no performance impact as a result of this, and I wouldn't be overly concerned as a result.

-bob


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Bob,

Thank you, I appreciate your help. The pc is a HP 12" ultralight. Since submitting the question I have found out the pc does not have a video card, it is using RAM to generate video and graphics.
Thanks again.
Robert

Answer
Actually, the memory is not being used "to generate video", it is shared between the system (the primary CPU), and the integrated graphics controller, knowing this, you can likely change this limit somewhat (I highly doubt this value is, or even can be, set to 1GB), which should free *some* memory, although the limitation of the 32-bit operating system is still going to prevent you from "seeing" all 4GB of memory (this will not impact performance one bit). Depending on the vendor of the graphics controller, you will either be able to adjust the allocated memory through drivers, or from the BIOS, I would probably set it somewhere between 64MB and 128MB, as the controller itself isn't likely capable of much in the way of 3D processing (meaning that anything which will demand greater than ~128MB of memory is likely far and away out of that controller's abilities), so spending the extra memory isn't worth it.

-bob