32-bit, 64-bit and RAM

butterbeanmash

Hi all,

Apologies if this is a dumb question, but...

I have Vista Home Premium and Windows 7 32-bit dual-booting on my Toshiba L40 17m laptop, with 2gb of RAM which is the maximum supported. I was wondering if I were to install a 64-bit OS (the processor is 64-bit capable) would I then be able to increase the RAM?

Many thanks

timbim_2

If 2GB is the max supported, then it'll be the mobo limiting it, so a 64bit OS will make no difference.

John_Gray

If you've never come across the full specifications for the Toshiba Equium L40-17M, here they are!

lesleyvhalifax

i have almost the same prob my board max is 4gb but will only recognise 2.5gb

-TangleFoot-

lesleyvhalifax wrote: »

my board max is 4gb but will only recognise 2.5gb

I suggest you read this then.

John_Gray

lesleyvhalifax wrote: »

i have almost the same prob my board max is 4gb but will only recognise 2.5gb

Are you sure you don't mean (about) 3.5 GB?

-TangleFoot-

John_Gray wrote: »

Are you sure you don't mean (about) 3.5 GB?

Depends how much address space the graphics card is eating. Some of them have nearly 2GB of on-board memory. :rolleyes:

pstones578

butterbeanmash wrote: »

Hi all,

Apologies if this is a dumb question, but...

I have Vista Home Premium and Windows 7 32-bit dual-booting on my Toshiba L40 17m laptop, with 2gb of RAM which is the maximum supported. I was wondering if I were to install a 64-bit OS (the processor is 64-bit capable) would I then be able to increase the RAM?

Many thanks

You need to check what your motherboard and chipset will support. If they will only take 2GB max then you are stuck. DO NOT rely solely on the official guides provided by your laptop manufacturer. I have a Dell Inspiron 9400 which all the Dell docs etc say will not go over 2GB, I and loads of other people are running 4GB in that, machine with no probs.

butterbeanmash

pstones578 wrote: »

You need to check what your motherboard and chipset will support.

The chipset will support more, and the CPU will support the x64 instruction set, so according to this article the only drawback is the BIOS and/or the motherboard. Except I have no idea how to check the capabilities of the motherboard...

Marty_J

pstones578 wrote: »

You need to check what your motherboard and chipset will support. If they will only take 2GB max then you are stuck. DO NOT rely solely on the official guides provided by your laptop manufacturer. I have a Dell Inspiron 9400 which all the Dell docs etc say will not go over 2GB, I and loads of other people are running 4GB in that, machine with no probs.

Your system might report that 4 GB of RAM is installed, but whether or not it's being used is another matter.

If you're using a 32 bit version of Windows, it's not.