Any simple way to maximize memory available on 32-bit Win-7 (under the 4 gb limit that is) ?

[Nomen]

I've upped the ram in my Dell 6420 from 4 to 16 gb (I might set up a 64-bit Win 7 on it some day) but for now I'm running Win-7 ultimate 32-bit and system properties is reporting 2.92 gb usable memory.  I know it can't use all 4 gb but I've read where it should (?) be able to use a little more - maybe up to 3.5 gb ?  What can I do to maximize that, bring it close to that 3.5 gb number ?

 

[j7n]

That depends on the devices you have plugged into your computer. Like a video adapter might map around 300 MB to it. Other PCI cards get some. The consumers can be found in the device manager (View -> Resourced by type, Memory). So you can only get more memory by not having a good video card, which is not fun. There is no 32-bit Windows Server anymore, so that is not a possible path. It is either Windows NT 6.1 x64, or, Server 2003/2008 with PAE  (not R2 but "Vista").

[ED_Sln]

Or install fix128. It will install the kernel from Server 2008 R2, and the OS will see and use all available memory, i.e. 16 GB. However, not all drivers are compatible with the current PAE mode, so you need to check.

[j7n]

11 minutes ago, ED_Sln said:

kernel from Server 2008 R2

Where does the kernel come from if Server R2 is only 64-bit?

[ED_Sln]

The SysWOW64 folder contains 32-bit files. Including the ntoskrnl.exe file.

Edited 2 hours ago by ED_Sln