Re: Vista 32bit can't recognize all the memory: Answer from MS

32bit Vista RC2 only sees 3 of 4GB memory installed on my Intel D975XBX
mainboard. Vista RC2 x64 sees all 4GB, so this seems not to be a mainboard
problem.
See Thread "Vista RC2 x86 PAE not working. Only sees 3 of 4GB memory" in
microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup.

I opened a service request with Microsoft (SRZ061127002189) to get a
definitive answer.

Here a summary of their answer:
32bit Vista does by design not(!) use the full 4GB of physically installed
RAM.
Technically it could use 4GB (by using PAE to access the memory remapped by
the mainboard above the 4GB address boundary). By a marketing design
decision all Windows Vista 32bit editions are limited to 4GB address space.
Vista Starter ist limited to 1GB. "This is based on marketing decisions and
cannot be cheated with the PAE-Kernel."

I find it hard to believe that someone made such a marketing decision: I can
understand that MS limits physical memory of some Vista edtitions to 4GB. I
do not understand a design decision to not fully use this memory even though
it is technically possible. I assume there are technical or security issues
involved - but this is just my feeling and not based on facts.

Some background links:

Intel® Chipset 4 GB SystemMemory Support
http://www.polywell.com/us/support/faq/4GB_Rev1.pdf

Memory Limits for Windows Releases
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de..._for_windows_r
eleases.asp

Information regarding PAE-Kernel:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms791485.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system...AE/PAEdrv.mspx

"cavarpe" <> wrote in message
news:75F6C20F-8873-4BFD-A820-...
>I have an IBM Intellistation A Pro with 2 x Dual Core Opeteron's 275 with
>4GB
> of RAM. If I install Vista 64bit RTM I can see all the 4GB of RAM but If I
> use Vista 32 bit I only see 2.8GB of RAM.
>
> Have any body experience this?