Memory size in 9.04

[Vincent Trouilliez]

On Mon, 6 Jul 2009 17:06:51 -0400
Александр Горлов <mail.list.4.ag.hob at gmail.com> wrote:

> why 32 - bits system are limited 3GB? From my point of view 2 ** 32 = 4GB

Indeed a 32bit kernel can access 4GB. I had 4GB on my computer and
only 3.2GB or so, were recognized by the default Ubuntu 32 bit kernel.
However Ubuntu also supplies (at least on Ubuntu 8.10, on which I tried
this) an alternate 32 bit kernel which is compiled with other options,
and DID recognize all my 4GB of memory, it worked.
The problem is that I ran into issues with some restricted modules
(nvidia 3D driver IIRC), which I failed to solve (IIRC, the driver was
not available for this kernel, so I had to install it myself by hand,
but failed), so I took the easy way and reverted to the stock kernel...
and 3.2GB. Today I have now 6GB (someone gave me 2GB, would have been
rude to refuse !), so having only 3GB or so means I loose literally 50%
of my memory, arf ! So I will have to switch to 64 bit... but not
anytime soon. 64 bits desktop systems are a can of worms, I will switch
to it maybe in 15 years, once they have become as wide spread and
tested (on the Desktop, ie), and become the default for all new
software, like 32 bit has. Until then... I will stay with my 3.2GB,
it's enough for my needs as of today.

--
Vince