I have a Dell quad core with 2 gb of ram on Vista 32 bit system. I added 2 gb of ram and it still shows 2 gb. I thought Vista 32 limited the RAM to 3 GB. How do I check whether the extra 2 GB was installed correctly. Under System Properties only 4 GB is listed. I know somewhere it should say 4 GB. SAince I am not too computer savy, please give details for "dummies".And is the extra 2 GB even helping me in FSX assuming I installed it correctly?

The easiest way is to open the Welcome Center and click "Show more details" on the upper right corner. On this next screen, halfway down will be the System section. Memory (ram) is the third line. Whatca got? The extra ram helped, but go to Vista 64 at your first op. I have 4 with Vista 64 and am constantly getting ram loads Above 3 gigs.

Is going to Vista 64 an easy install, or will I need to reload all my flight sim programs?Anyway, It shows 2047 MB. I added 2 gb more to 2 gb. The Dell tech says it won't show up here, but somewhere else - which I can't find.

Try this: Click the start orb. In the search box type DXDIAG. The first screen will have your system specs. Now download and run CPUZ. If everything's still still showing 2 gig, find anther Dell tech. Your ram is MIA. I seriously doubt 64bit can be overloaded onto a 32 bit install. You will likely have to start from scratch. This is one of those "Pay me now or pay me later" things. Eventually you're gonna have to do it. Might as well get it out of the way.

Thanks for your help. Under DXDIAG I see:Memory 2048MB RAMPage file 1329 MB used 2980 mb available.Does page file have anything to do with RAM?I downloaded CPUZ and it indeed says 4096 mb ram. So I guess I am good.Thanks

Yea, it's there. Page file is extra, quick access storage, in addition to ram. Windows will manage this. Leave it alone. Now run FSX with task manager's performance tab up. Watch ram usage as you fly. Even in a 32 bit system, you should see it run well over 2 gig.

I have a question about RAM speed. If I am getting a Q6600 which runs at 1066 am I better off getting 1066 RAM or will the 800 be sufficient? I do plan on o/c, not by much though I don't want to use water to cool.ThanksKevinhttp://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y81/kconl.../DCAFO_ADOM.gif

With the Q6600, you should set your front side buss (FSB) to 400mhz. "DDR" means the ram will Double the Data Rate of the FSB. If the FSB is 400, then any DDR ram will run at 2 x 400 = 800. You need ram that is rated to run at 800mhz. That's what the -800 means in DDR-800. So, DDR2-800 is the stuff you need. If you are running a decent mobo, setting the FSB to 400 and the CPU's (Vcore) voltage to 1.4 v will provide a stable CPU speed of 3.6ghz. You must buy a $60 aftermarket aircooler, but with the Q6600/GO there's really no reason to "go for" less than this.