How do I Enable 4GB Laptop RAM?
Much of today's software, including graphics programs such as Photoshop, employ 2GB of memory, which leaves less RAM available for background applications. Due to the inherent programming in 32-bit operating systems, they cannot detect when a laptop has 4GB of RAM installed. Windows Vista/7 32-bit can only detect a maximum of 3GB of RAM. This is due to the users hardware or the operating system itself. However, the operating system is capable of detecting and using 4GB of RAM.
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Instructions
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Enabling 4GB of RAM in Windows XP
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1
Click the "Start" button, then "All Programs," "Accessories" and then the "Notepad" icon.
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Drop down the "File" menu in "Notepad" and click "Open." Navigate to the "C" directory and locate the file "Boot.ini." Double-click the file to open it.
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3
Locate the line that reads "3GB switch" and replace it with "/PAE switch."
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Drop down the "File" menu and click the "Save" button and exit "Notepad." Restart Windows XP.
Enabling 4GB of RAM in Windows Vista/7
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5
Click the "Start" button, click "All Programs," click "Accessories" and then right-click "Command Prompt." Choose "Run in Administrator Mode." Alternatively you can press the "Windows" and "R" keys together. When the dialog box appears, type "cmd" and press "Ctrl + Shift + Enter" to run in administrator mode.
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Type "BCDedit /set PAE forceenable" at the command prompt and press "Enter."
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Type "BCDedit /set nx AlwaysOff" and press "Enter."
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Type "BCDedit /set pae ForceEnable" and press "Enter."
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Restart Windows Vista/7.
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Tips & Warnings
If Vista shows a drop in performance following the changes, you can type "BCDedit /set nx AlwaysOn" in the command prompt to return to the lower RAM amount. An alternative is to install the Windows Vista/7 64-bit operating system.
