my t60p sees 4 gb ram - why oh why?

[leland]

From the stickied post here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=49703, I learned that my new T60p system should not see more than 3 gb of RAM under any circumstances.

However, I installed Vista x32, and see 4.00 GB as my installed memory.

I was thinking of reinstalling w/ x64, but what would the point be?

Can someone help me out with two things:
1) Why do I see 4 GB of RAM?
2) Should I reinstall w/ x64? Is there any benefit given the T60p hardware limitation?

Thanks.

[barrywohl]

As I understand it, Vista x32 sp1 correctly reports the amount of installed memory but only uses a maximum of 3 gb.

Vista x32 pre sp1 reported a maximum of 3 gb and used a maximum of 3 gb.

Vista x64 uses the installed memory up to some huge limit.

I don't know the answer to your last question.

[muffd]

I'm not sure about why it would see the 4gb but that's a good thing.
As far as the 64 bit vs 32 bit installation. I would leave it at 32 bit unless you have something you need to do and can only be done with a 64 bit operating system.

[aaa]

There was a thread discussing this, about how SP1 suddenly started showing 4.00GB. The bios also shows 4gb when it is installed (even though it isn't all used), for some reason Microsoft decided to do this as well. Installing x64 will not increase the usable ram on the T60/p, so unless you have some 64-bit program you want to run there's no point.

[leland]

Thanks for the help. Would be interesting to know why, but I suppose it doesn't make a difference. Perhaps the upgrade is just taunting me?