asked on

Xp only shows 3gb ram when another shows 3.75gb

I have 2 virtual VM that were built with xp 32bit. they both have sp3 loaded and they both have 4gb assigned to them. they are running on esx4i. I just find it odd that one reads 3gb ram ans they other is 3.75gb. What in the OS is causing this?

Thanks

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Alan Henderson

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

rdefino

ASKER

No, Where do I check that?

keith_opswat

Type msinfo32.exe in the run area.

Windows XP 32 bit can only use up to 3 or 4 GB of RAM depending on the settings. However, it deducts the amount of RAm that your video card has. Say you have a 512mb video card you lose 512mb of your RAM to the video card that doesn't show up in windows anymore.

rdefino

ASKER

So under msinfo32.exe- components-display. it says adapter ram is 4mb. This is on the system showing 3gb.

Alan Henderson

"No, Where do I check that?"

Depends upon which VM software you're using. With VMware and VirtualBox you can change the amount of video graphics in the VM Settings when the VM is shut down.

21-08-2010-9-34-03-a.m..png

Alan Henderson

Clicked Submit too soon!

The procedure is similar in VMware.

21-08-2010-9-34-50-a.m..png

rdefino

ASKER

I checked in the vmware esx side for the display adapter settings and it shows that it is configured for 4mb.

SOLUTION

Alan Henderson

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

Jonvee

In general it's a subject that has been discussed a number of times. You may like to scroll through the following links.
First, here's some good advice by expert garycase which may help>
"Can Windows XP handle >2Gig RAM?":
https://www.experts-exchange.com/OS/Microsoft_Operating_Systems/Windows/XP/Q__24491106.html

Further reading ...
How much ram can I install in a motherboard under Windows XP?
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/23952232/How-much-ram-can-I-install-in-a-motherboard-under-Windows-XP.html?cid=238&anchorAnswerId=23086997#a23086997

"Windows memory detection":
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/23605838/Windows-memory-detection.html?anchorAnswerId=22117962#a22117962

"BIOS shows 1GB of RAM but Windows only shows 256MB":
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/23487743/Bios-shows-1gb-of-ram-windows-shows-256mb-how-come-ram-is-reporting-incorrectly.html?anchorAnswerId=21798685#a21798685

Older threads covering XP memory upgrades from 1GB to 4GB...
"Max memory":
https://www.experts-exchange.com/OS/Microsoft_Operating_Systems/Windows/XP/Q__22510635.html

"Memory upgrade":
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/22978146/memory-upgrade.html

Jonvee

So one option (mentioned in one of the above threads) is to go into the BIOS settings in both virtual VMs, and disable the OS install modes. As stated the OS install mode limits the amount of ram the OS will see.

ppdogs

address space is granted to external peripherals too. did you convert a physical machine? if so uninstalling. any unused peripheral drivers will free up RAM address space for the OS.

bgoering

Check your c:\boot.ini in the XP that only shows 3GB of RAM. I bet it doesn't have the /PAE switch - you will need to add it to line you are booting from.

Good Luck

coolsport00

"bgoering" is correct; W2K-W2K3 is the same way...I've assisted a few others about this very issue and each time was the /PAE switch. The following URLs should help you check:
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/pae/paemem.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/pae/paedrv.mspx (see 'Enabling PAE towards the bottom of the page)

Regards,
~coolsport00

Jonvee

Yes, the /PAE switch is mentioned in at least three of the listed links, in my comments above...