Vista not utilizing all installed memory

[bonfire1030]

Ok, I have a problem. I currently have 4g (2g x2) of ram installed in vista home premium (32bit). I know that the most that vista will show available is 3.2g (due to the i/o swapping). My problem is that vista will show that I have 4g installed, but task manager only shows that I have 1022mb of physical memory that can be used. Any help or explanation of this would be appreciated.

running a lancaster8 mobo with an E2140, X1800gt, 4g ram

 

[Scotteq]

Are you sure you are not looking at what is being used? As opposed to can be?

 

[bonfire1030]

Yes, it shows
Physical Memory (MB)
Total = 1022
Cached = 542
free = 9

 

[Scotteq]

First thing to check - Go into the Bios - There should be a setting in there for Memory remapping. For a 32 bit OS, on most systems it should be disabled. Check that.

 

[bonfire1030]

ok, after looking at my bios, on scotteqs' recommendation; I have come to the conclusion that I will only be able to use 1g of ram. The bios is only configured for 1g total. After doing some investigation, I found out that I have a very crappy bios. The whole section for the memory has been locked out by the manufacturer. So it would seem that my best bet would be to get a mobo that actually has a decent bios.

Thank you scotteq for pointing me to the bios.

 

[Scotteq]

locked out by the maker? Bastidz!

Rebuild Time!

 

[Zoron]

Update the BIOS... that may help.