Hack 32 bit Windows 7 to use more RAM

[labon210]

Is there a way to make Windows (specifically Windows 7) utilize more than 4 GB or RAM? I have a user that purchased a 32 bit version of Windows 7 Ultimate and doesn't want to send it back for a 64 bit replacement.

[NickCat11]

Nothing yet, at least nothing I came across. Are they going to charge him for the replacement? If not, 64bit is the way to go so I would push him that route anyway.

[Tweak]

IF it matters that much you might try this.

http://www.msfn.org/board/lofiversion/index.php/t135806.html

:)

Can't say it will work with 7 though.

[joydivision]

It is just a limitation of any 32-bit operating system. Although I am sure 32-bit can address upto 16GB in theory?

[labon210]

IF it matters that much you might try this.

http://www.msfn.org/board/lofiversion/index.php/t135806.html

:)

Can't say it will work with 7 though.

Thanks for the update I'm checking into it now.

[JosephLeo]

Sorry, 32-Bit is limited to 4GB in Windows 7 (2GB in Starter edition). Luckily 64-Bit is 2GB on starter, 8GB for Home Basic, 16GB for Home Premium, and 192GB for Business, Enterprise and Ultimate editions.

Also- why are you stuck in the past in the first place? Move to 64-Bit already...we're already starting to talk 128-Bit for windows 8 and at the very least Windows 9.

[MrUnknown]

Is there a way to make Windows (specifically Windows 7) utilize more than 4 GB or RAM? I have a user that purchased a 32 bit version of Windows 7 Ultimate and doesn't want to send it back for a 64 bit replacement.

I believe the license key is valid for both 32 and 64 bit, so if you can get a 64bit disk, just install that.

[usacvlr]

Supporting 64 bit anything in a business environment is asking for a headache.

Sorry, 32-Bit is limited to 4GB in Windows 7 (2GB in Starter edition). Luckily 64-Bit is 2GB on starter, 8GB for Home Basic, 16GB for Home Premium, and 192GB for Business, Enterprise and Ultimate editions.

Also- why are you stuck in the past in the first place? Move to 64-Bit already...we're already starting to talk 128-Bit for windows 8 and at the very least Windows 9.

[JosephLeo]

Supporting 64 bit anything in a business environment is asking for a headache.

Yeah, I always forget about the business world and it's hatred of 64-Bit...(sigh)

[i.t-works]

4GB is a limit of the 32bit architecture (x86) and not a limiatation of the O.S

"By definition, a 32-bit processor uses 32 bits to refer to the location of each byte of memory. 2^32 = 4.2 billion, which means a memory address that's 32 bits long can only refer to 4.2 billion unique locations (i.e. 4 GB)."

[JosephLeo]

4GB is a limit of the 32bit architecture (x86) and not a limiatation of the O.S

"By definition, a 32-bit processor uses 32 bits to refer to the location of each byte of memory. 2^32 = 4.2 billion, which means a memory address that's 32 bits long can only refer to 4.2 billion unique locations (i.e. 4 GB)."


Then why does Windows Server 2003 32-Bit support more than 4GB?

[labon210]

Thanks everyone I'm going to suggest moving to 64 bit.

[i.t-works]

Then why does Windows Server 2003 32-Bit support more than 4GB?

I had to look that up :) It uses Physical Address Extension, where "physical address size is increased from 32 bits to 36 bits - max of 64GB" (Wikipedia) This feature is only avaliable on 32bit Server editions.

"However, desktop versions of Windows limit physical address space to 4 GiB for driver compatibility reasons" (Wikipedia)

[JosephLeo]

I had to look that up :) It uses Physical Address Extension, where "physical address size is increased from 32 bits to 36 bits - max of 64GB" (Wikipedia) This feature is only avaliable on 32bit Server editions.

"However, desktop versions of Windows limit physical address space to 4 GiB for driver compatibility reasons" (Wikipedia)

Interesting. Another "The more you know" moment on technibble.

[barry3652]

Is there a way to make Windows (specifically Windows 7) utilize more than 4 GB or RAM? I have a user that purchased a 32 bit version of Windows 7 Ultimate and doesn't want to send it back for a 64 bit replacement.

Where did your customer buy from?. Here in the UK we got both disk's 32 bit and 64 bit?

[labon210]

Newegg. When I purchased the family pack for home use I received both a 32 and 64 bit. I'm not sure why Ultimate had only one disk (the 32 bit). Thanks for all the info.

[MobileTechie]

You can enable PAE in XP, Vista and I assume Win7.