Windows Memory problem (upgrade problem)

[skyjames]

Hi, I am having a problem upgrading my memory for my HP Media center PC m7360N. I bought it with 2GB of memory already installed and am trying to install 2 gb's more.  I purchased 2 1GB chips PNY PC2-4200  (533MHz) it's also compatible with PC2-3200 (400MHz) when I boot up my bios is able to detect the entire 4gb's 1GB each chip.. when I get log on to windows it can only see 3.5gb's nothing more.. I have tried changing order of the chips but can't seem to get it to work.. When I go system information I am told it sees 4GB.. but under system properties or task manager they only are able to see 3.5GB I am trying to get my task manager and system properties to see the rest of the memory.. I was told that my video card may be the problem but I don' think so.. it's a nvidia geforce 9800gt I believe 1GB of memory (can't remember right now) below is a copy of my system information thanks for any help in advance..
James
 

OS Name   Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version   5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer   Microsoft Corporation
System Name   HP
System Manufacturer   HP Pavilion 061
System Type   X86-based PC
Processor   x86 Family 15 Model 6 Stepping 2 GenuineIntel ~2800 MHz
BIOS Version/Date   Phoenix Technologies, LTD  3.19, 12/8/2006
SMBIOS Version   2.4
Total Physical Memory   4,096.00 MB
Available Physical Memory   2.10 GB
Total Virtual Memory   2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory   1.92 GB
Page File Space   5.34 GB
Page File   C:\pagefile.sys

[Allan]

32 Bit OS's are limited to the 3.5 gb you see.

[urboy4mbx]

32bit OS is limited to 4GB of RAM. the reason why you can only see 3.5GB RAM is because the rest is being shared with the Video card.

[Allan]

32bit OS is limited to 4GB of RAM. the reason why you can only see 3.5GB RAM is because the rest is being shared with the Video card.

You think the system shares 500 mb ram with the video card? Please. The 4Gb limit is optimal - 32 gb systems can see and use about 3.5Gb.

[urboy4mbx]

Allan- maybe you misunderstood my answer.

*32bit OS is CAPABLE of seeing 4gb of installed RAM. (I've seen it under system properties. this varies from vendor)
*it will only use from 2gb to 3.6gb because certain devices reserve address space for their use below the 4gb limit
*I had 2 1Gb video cards installed on Vista SP1 - these were taking 256MB each consumed 512MB (although this is not the case)
*If you really want to go deep into it and look at what's taking the rest of your memory space you can view the devices that do this by opening Device Manager ----->Resources by Connection in  View Menu and EXPAND the Memory node.

-Bottom line, you are partially right Allan. Windows x86 CAN SEE up to 4gb of installed RAM but it will only use up to 3.6Gb

[patio]

And there you have it...

[Allan]

sigh