Hi, not so, according to Microsoft Developers Network, Vista can load 4 gig of ram, but tends to keep half for itself. Again, according to the above, there is a /3gig switch in the boot.ini which can force Windows to only use 1 gig and reserve 3 for programs. Of course, I couldn't find a boot.ini in my Vista, but I know xp had one :) some interesting and informative articles on this topic;

www.theinquirer.net/en/inquirer/news/2007/02/21/vista-works-best-with-4gb-ram

here's a microsoft link about xp and ram:

www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEmem.mspx

vista again;

www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000811.html

another explaining the inevitable need to go to 64 bit;

blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/

and another;

www.asisupport.com/ts_4GB_memory_info.htm

also look into readyboost using memory sticks, a cheap way to give windows vista more. Here's an article discussing readydrive, an upcoming enchancement to vista;

channel9.msdn.com/Showpost.aspx

regards...