New System won't boot into windows with 4GB, just 2!

[pepsi71ocean]

So im running Xp SP3 32bit edition and i can't get windows to load, i tried both sticks seperately, tested both, system checks out fine with Linux, but wondows doesn't like it.

Is there a patch or something i need to get windows to run with 4GB's of ram,

Or is it because my graphics card is 1280mb of ram, p0lus the 2gb for ram is 3,8GB total? can anyone explain this to me?


System specs are in the systems tab to the left.


Thanks Guys.

 

[v12dock]

Question: Why are you using Windows XP?

 

[trickson]

It could be that you have SP3 installed . I would caution you against even using XP it is no longer a supported OS by MS .

 

[pepsi71ocean]

im just still a little behind the times with upgrading windows, im waiting for the newest OS to become stable.

And when did they stop support for XP?

 

[erocker]

Windows 7 is stable. XP support stopped about a year ago.. I think.

 

[pepsi71ocean]

If i was to upgrade to windows 7, what version should i go with, being that i know of nothing beyond Vista, and that vista sucked.

what do you guys think, i use this computer for trading, and gaming and video editing.

 

[erocker]

Windows 7 Proffesional x64 is a good pick. Plus since you game and have a DX11 graphics card, you should be using Windows 7.

I like to use this guide to set it up: http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/Install_7/install_7a.htm

and this: http://www.blackviper.com/Windows_7/supertweaks.htm

 

[pepsi71ocean]

can i upgrade it without loosing everything already installed, i have installed about 90% of the programs used on my pc, along with files and everything,

can i install it over top as ive heard on new egg, or do i have to wipe and do it over?

 

[erocker]

You're going to want to do a fresh install and reinstall your programs.

 

[pepsi71ocean]

i guess i'll have to add it to the list of things to do before the trading week starts up again.

 

[TheLaughingMan]

So im running Xp SP3 32bit edition

You answered your own question. 32-bit Windows has a limit of 4 GB of addressable memory space. That means anything that needs an address on your mobo (graphics card memory, bus locations of Ethernet port, USB hub, etc.......and RAM last). Once your computer got around to addressing your memory, it didn't have enough unique numbers to do so. 64-bit OS has enough to not have to worry about it (192 GB of just RAM is the software limit for Win7).

Windows 7 was Stable on release thanks to an 8 month open Beta. Stop using XP, never use 32-bit OS ever again, and Vista doesn't suck now (all the issues with it have been sorted out). On that last note...why use Vista when 7 is so much smoother and faster. It is impossible to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista/7. It will need to be a fresh install.

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for...

 

[micropage7]

xp sp3 known sometimes it aint perform well like it should
i guess you could consider to switch into 7 since many software and driver out for 7
microsoft has been stopping support on xp so ita another reason to switch into 7
if you plan to max your ram take 64bit version, 64 bit is the future but some apps may not work on 64bit, 32bit limits the ram to 3.25 gig
and the rest, for new os it would be nice if you make clean install