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Resolved Question

Win XP 32 Bit to Vista Ultimate 32 Bit

Sep 4, 2012 2:51PM PDT

Hi all.
As there are a lot of knowledgeable folk on here Happy
I am a little confused.
I have a HP desktop that presently has 4Gb RAM, 2x2Gb installed.
I wish to make available the full four slots, i.e. 8Gb to maximise video editing etc.
If I do an upgrade of the XP Professional to Vista Ultimate 32 bit, can I in fact then go out and buy more RAM to make the comp faster?
I have spare slots but obviously XP 32 bit can only recognise almost 4Gb.
What is the best scenario and solution here?
I have the OEM system builder pack here, this is why Vista upgrade, both for software and my hardware drivers etc. I will not have to do a clean install I presume? This is what the Internet tells me.
many thanks and please can you either help me out or just point me in the right direction. Happy

Discussion is locked

ConfusedinNZ has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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No. Microsoft has not supported method to change
Sep 4, 2012 2:54PM PDT

Microsoft has no supported method to change Vista 32 bit to any 64 bit Windows.

And it's been over 10 years since XP 64 bit rolled out and I have yet to see anyone hack their way through such an upgrade.

Why isn't the supported fresh install an option?
Bob

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No...
Sep 4, 2012 3:01PM PDT

Hi Bob.
I just want to run more RAM, would this be the option available if I have it sitting here?
Does Vista ultimate 32 bit only support maximum RAM of 4Gb too then?

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It's more involved than that...
Sep 4, 2012 3:16PM PDT

A 32-bit system can only see around 3.50 GB RAM. A 64-bit system can see 192 GB RAM; some servers using windows can see up to 2 TB RAM.

Here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa366778%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

Probably more information than you were looking for.

BUT: the system must also support 64-bit addressing. Processor must be 64-bit capable, and the motherboard must support 64-bit.

As an aside, my first computer ran only 128 MB of RAM. That was all the motherboard could support.

Maybe it is time for a new computer?

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I see Kees covered the 32 bit OS part. Here's the APP limit
Sep 5, 2012 1:43AM PDT

In the 32 bit apps, almost all apps are limited to 2.0GB each so increasing RAM as you did should be the best it will ever be for a 32 bit app.
Bob