Memory question

[Dune]

Maybe not strictly TG, but I'm sure you guys can help me out. I just switched some memory from another pc to this one (making sure it fitted of course, DDR2, etc), increasing it from 2GB to 4GB. But what AIDA32 gives me is this: image 1
What task manager gives me is this: image 2. Down at the bottom it say 3893MB... that sounds like almost 4GB, doesn't it?
So how can I determine whether I actually have more memory now? I've got the /3GB switch in boot.ini, and read something about a /PAE addition in boot.ini to increase usage more. If I understand well.
Can anyone enlighten me?

[geekatplay]

Depend on what OS you are using, you may restricted to full memory addressing by OS, here nice thread about it :
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/639540/how-much-memory-can-a-32-bit-process-access-on-a-64-bit-operating-system

[choronr]

I've posted your question to my friend Nick who is also my PC guru. Here is his reply: That sounds like a 32-bit operating system issue. If you're running Windows 32-bit it can only use a total of 4GB of memory (including video memory and on board motherboard memory). The number I would go off of is in the second page in the bottom right it says "Geheugengebruik: 419/38393MB".

So he's probably getting as much out of the 4GB as he can get (really close to it) about 1.8GB more than he had with only 2GB before.

[Dune]

Thanks, guys. I've read quite a lot of posts and threads about the limits, but it's still confusing. One says this, another says that, so I'm still unconcluded about how I can see what I really have available now with 4GB installed.

[Kadri]

Did you look at the  "System"  icon in the "control panel"  Ulco ?
That is one of the basic places you can find that information the easiest way.

The task manager includes the amount of the swap file and what is going on in a dynamic way.
Not sure but this looks like XP. I use Windows 8. That can be confusing too.
But when you look at the "System" you will be sure how much of Ram you have from a hardware point of view.

[Dune]

I did, and it says only 2GB, like AIDA32. Which I don't understand with 4GB installed and the 3GB switch in boot.ini. Must be something else that's wrong. Maybe in BIOS.

[Kadri]

Hard to say anything about this in this way.
But if your computer bios does says 4 GB when you are starting the PC
there is probably no hardware problem and you should look closer to the OS.
There are many different posts about this on the Web as you said unfortunately.

It could be that the Bios does see the Ram but some options there holds it back from XP.
Did you looked more closely in the options in the Bios ?

[Kadri]

Ram can be problematic too Ulco.
I had a mainboard that was supposed to be ready to use 16 GB Ram.
Windows crashed always when i tried more then 4 GB.
The mainboard i use now had no problem from day one to use 32 GB Ram.

Sometimes until you use the same Ram from the same vendor the new Ram can be a problem too.
Swap the Ram's and use them 2 by 2 to see if there is any problem.

You could test the Memory with another software, but because that you took it from the other PC i doubt that the Ram is faulty.

Mostly depends on what your BIOS does show at the post Ulco.

Edit: http://www.ocinside.de/go_e.html?http://www.ocinside.de/html/workshop/less_memory.html
         Not the same but something mainboard related.

[Dune]

Thanks for thinking along, Kadri. My bios says 2gig as well, so it's probably the memory that doesn't 'fit'. It's PC5400 and the 'old' memory is PC6400. I've asked the firm who sold me the machines, see what they say. Otherwise I'll just leave it. Maybe a few added sticks of the old memory will do better.
The why of my asking is that my museum wall file is taking a bit more than 2gig of memory just having it loaded. The more I add, the smore sluggish TG reacts, so it's very fiddly working... not pleasant. Exceptional file of course, so maybe install win 7 64 bit here (if that is possible on that 'old' mainboard of 2007... time flies).

[Kadri]

Good that you found the problem Ulco.

A computer with 16 gig or more would be much better for you with scenes like that