4GB RAM reads as 3GB RAM

Hi,

I own a custom built computer using a LanParty UT NF4 motherboard. I'm currently at work so I don't know the full setup (I could update this when I'm at home later with what else I have in there if need be). I know I have a nVidia graphics card, a pci wireless, and some sound card. Additionally I have 1 harddrive and 1 laptop harddrive connected inside as well as a Sony CD drive. On the outside I have an external harddrive(which I usually leave off), a usb wireless(only because my pci one wasn't working for awhile..but I just worked on my computer and got it working so I'll probably remove this once i find the antenna), a JamLab, Presonus Firestudio, mouse, and keyboard (i believe that's everything).

Originally I had 1GB of RAM attached to my computer because my fan was too big and covered the other slots. Just yesterday I received my new fan in the mail and installed it (now allowing me to put in more RAM). After installing it I placed in my other 3 sticks of 1GB RAM.

So I am running Windows XP Pro 32bit and when I right click My Computer and click Properties, all my computer shows is that I have 3GB of RAM. Shouldn't this show 4GB of RAM as I had 1GB in there and added 3GB more?

I never checked to see what it listed before I inserted the new RAM. I checked and found out XP 32bit has a limitation of 4GB...in which case I fall under spec. Is the RAM listed as 3GB because that is all that is available to me after all of the hardware and background programs are done using up RAM? As in I have a total of 4GB but only 3GB free to use on whatever I want? Or is there something I need to do to get my computer pushing out the 4GB instead of 3....?

Any help is appreciated...I've been googling this for awhile and almost everything is about Windows Vista or some out there way of fixing things. Most threads I found, everyone gives an opinion and then 10 other people tear that person apart and tell them they're wrong. Ouy vey...

 

Alright thanks alot. I was worried that that was the case.

but..IMO...DOWN WITH VISTA! lol i'll stick to XP Pro...and I would go 64 bit but my Presonus Firestudio still after years hasn't come out with the drivers for it. I used to dual boot 32 and 64...record in 32...everything else in 64...but i'm too lazy to set that up again.

Thanks Again,

Tader

 

There is nothing wrong with vista 64x.

I run Windows Vista Ultimate 64x flawlessly and I have only had one problem which is VMware, but thats because it does not have digitaly signed drivers.

I'd prefer 4GB RAM anyday, even vista over XP.

 

I don't believe anyone is bagging on Vista. His only issue is he has special hardware which has no 64 bit drivers. It would make upgrading pointless.

 

A little more detail, if you want it.

 

Nah I was bagging on Vista a little bit. I'm not upgrading to 64 because i need 32 bit drivers. I'm not dual booting 64 bit even tho i should because i honestly just dont feel like taking the time to set it up. And i hate vista less because of all the problems it has and more because microsoft was dumb and didn't keep everything in the old places. I'd rather be able to troubleshoot my computer easily from XP rather than learn a whole new system and search out where things are. You know...just the stupid things like changing Add/Remove Programs to now just being Programs and moving other things to different folders. I notice a lot of minor changes like that that just make it a pain to find everything until you've been using the program for awhile. I'll just wait for Windows 7 and see what it can do.