Added RAM not what I thought it was.....

I just added 2GB of PNY DDR2 667MHz RAM. My system was already running 2GB Samsung RAM. My system is now only recognizing 3250MB of RAM. Is this normal? Does Vista use that much memory? Should I revert back to XP?

 

The system is only recognizing 3250mb because that is how much it can recognize. You should check your motherboard specs. I know that my computer will do that.

 

Windows Vista SP1 will correct your problem:
See here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605

 

Both of you are way off base.

Vista SP1, which isn't out yet, will report 4gb of ram, but will NOT use more than whats currently listed for you. 32 bit OSes cannot fully address 4gb of ram, which includes Windows XP, and for you MS haters, 32 bit Linux.

 

Adrynalyne is 100% correct.... due to the limitations of 32bit architecture, only 3200mb (roughly) can be fully addressed. No software fix, patch, update, or service pack is going to change that. It is built into the 32bit hardware. If you're really curious, a Google search should turn up plenty of sites that will show you the math involved.

 

Oh correctomundo to you Admin. First off, I said SP1 would correct his problem but I didn't say 4 gb will be reported as 4gb did I? Specifically, and if you read the article, some memory is not getting calculated correctly and that lost memory is scheduled to be reported properly with an SP1 fix. Here's a different article on the subject that may provide a clearer explanation: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946003/

 

That is pretty much what I said, except going into more detail.

No need to repeat it again.

 

so my only fix is to upgrade to a 64 bit OS?

 

correct.

 

thank you to everyone for the advice!