RAM Problems

[carlito6904]

Hi all,

I am having a problem with my RAM.

I have a Gigabyte M55SLI-S4 AM2 with AMD 64 X2 dual-core processor and Dual channel DDR2 800+.

I recently installed A-DATA 4GB (2x2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Ram. I installed a total of 8GB on my motherboard.

When I boot my desktop, it appears to read all 8 Gig (close to 8GB anyway) but windows does not seem to recognize the new RAM. When I right click on Properties for My Computer, it only shows 3.25GB of RAM and other programs, such as UniBlue's Speed Up My PC, also only register the 3.25 Gig.

I had originally installed Patriot 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-5300 when I built the computer a year and a half ago. I upgraded to the A-DATA RAM.

Please help, this is extremely aggravating.

 

[wicked23]

What os are you running, 32 bit or 64 bit?
32 bit can only use 3.25 gb. You need 64 bit to utilize all that ram.

 

[carlito6904]

After posting, I started reading about this issue. I am not completely sure, but I think it is only 32 bit. I am in the process of investigating this. Any help or advice would be appreciated

 

[wicked23]

start>run>winver

right click my computer>properties

 

[NightSurge]

What he said ^^^

If it is 64bit it will state this. If it is 32bit XP it will only say XP Home/Pro Service pack #. It won't list the 32bit if it is actually 32bit.

Can I ask why you upgraded to 8GB anyways? Any more than 4 is RARELY needed (usually only for servers, really).

 

[carlito6904]

I am pretty confident that I am only using 32 bit. I cannot identify anything that says my os is 64 bit. I followed a thread that led to the discussion about 32 or 64 bit, and I used the CPU ID and the Belarc Advisor.

 

[networkgeek]

yup you need to get a 64 bit OS like windows xp 64 bit or vista 64 or you wont be able to use more then 3.5 gb in windows.

 

[veedubfreak]

Also remember, that the ram on your video card counts towards that usable 3.5gb that the OS can address.

 

[KSoD]

You have 32 Bit. As noted by my topic here:

http://www.techist.com/forums/f9/difference-between-32-bit-x86-64-bit-x64-171390/#post1349279

32 Bit can only use and recognize 3.25 GB. So if you want to use all 8GB. You will have to get 64 Bit format and reinstall.

 

[carlito6904]

What he said ^^^

If it is 64bit it will state this. If it is 32bit XP it will only say XP Home/Pro Service pack #. It won't list the 32bit if it is actually 32bit.

Can I ask why you upgraded to 8GB anyways? Any more than 4 is RARELY needed (usually only for servers, really).

I upgraded to 8GB because I use Photoshop and Illustrator for Graphic Design work.