Windows memory limits

Dave called after installing Microsoft Windows XP, and the issue of memory limits arose...

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Before you go to the website I'm about to mention, you may want to lower the volume on your speakers: I was greatly annoyed by an advertisement on this site that had sound. The best "plain English" answer I found was at the "Dan's Data" website:

"...you shouldn't install more than 3Gb if you're not running a 64-bit operating system.

"...a plain PC running a 32-bit operating system...shouldn't have more than 3Gb of RAM...

"If you install 4Gb, there is no way to make all of the RAM between 3Gb and 4Gb available without installing a 64-bit OS, which you can't do unless you have a 64-bit CPU. And even then it won't necessarily work."

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Per Microsoft...

Physical Memory Limits: Windows Vista
32-bit Windows
4 GB

Physical Memory Limits: Windows XP
32-bit Windows
4 GB