Windows XP & Vista can't recognize all my RAM!

It looks like I need to go to Vista 64 to get this to work, according to this article in the MS Knowledge Base:

The system memory that is reported in the System Information dialog box in Windows Vista is less than you expect if 4 GB of RAM is installed

I've installled 3 GB of Ram, but Vista only recognizes 2 GB:

Total Physical Memory 2,798.69 MB
Available Physical Memory 2.04 GB

Note that the Total Physical Memory should be 3072, so I'm missing out on 273 MB of RAM I have installed.

Playtool

Great information about selecting a video card, plus extensive information on power supply issues, which are very important for current video cards.

More information on power supplies at Tech Hounds: Power Supply.

Basic Computer Setup Checklist

Before you set up your computer, review this checklist:

1. Find a surge protector or Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for your computer. I like to be able to turn off all peripherals (monitor, speakers, printers) with a single switch. One of my favorite options is to plug the computer into the UPS battery backup, and then plug a power supply into UPS so you can switch off the peripherals with "one click."
2. Find a good spot for your rig. Make sure there is adequate ventilation for the computer -- don't pack it in too tight. Also, check the lighting: sometimes glare can make a monitor unusable, especially the flat screens. Ideally, you can get to the back of the computer as easily as the front, since this is where most of the connections are, anyway.

Now, assemble the items you'll need to set up:

• Power cable
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Network cable (usually Cat 5)
• Speaker system with power supplies
• External hard disk with the correct data cable and power supply (plug this into the UPS, too)
• Printer and data cable
• Others: scanner, tablet, joystick, etc.

Set Up Process

1. Plug the UPS into the power outlet or power supply. Tuck the cord away as much as possible, since it will only get in the way later.
2. Plug in the keyboard (and mouse, if required).
3. Plug in the network cable.
4. Plug in any other connections, such as speakers or external hard drives.
5. Attach the monitor cable. If possible, tighten the finger screws, but only finger-tight. Check the power cable to the monitor and confirm the monitor power indicator (usually an LED) lights up when you turn it on.
   
6. Plug in the power cord.
7. Boot up.
   

Windows Questions

Here are some things I'd like to know:

I'd like to capture resource usages on different flavors of Windows. Can I capture the following info from the command line?

• RAM usage
• CPU
• Current Processes
• Disk usage

I know I can do this stuff on the Mac and Linux boxen. Please post a comment if you have any suggestions for good Windows command line tools. I'll update this post as I find the best options.

NetworkClue.com lists many useful Windows XP/2000 Commands & Tools.

Windows Vista activation woes

When I was away on vacation, my newly installed copy of Windows Vista Ultimate de-activated. Yet, because Vista is having so much trouble correctly identifying my simple/stupid DHCP configuration, I can't activate on-line.

I refuse to use the touch-tone call in system.

Today, I moved the Vista box in question, Area 51, to the third floor office where we have a connection via RCN. I've noticed a new option (I don't think it was there before -- I'm sure I would have noticed it) that shows up on the first Windows Activation dialog that appears just after I log in:

Access your computer with reduced functionality
This will also allow you to buy a product key on line

This isn't really what I want to do, but it opens a full screen window for MSIE. From here, the address bar slides out from the top of the screen when I mouse up there.

Now, all I need to do is press Alt-Tab to go back to the original Windows Activation dialog that popped up originally, and now select the "activate online" option.

This is the most opaque, confusing process I've had to hop through in some time -- and it's critical to get the computer to run correctly!

Amazingly, I'm all set. Now that I've activated, Vista auto-magically displays the task bar &c. Since I'm connected to a new router & ISP, it's time to do the network shuffle.

Vista asks:

Select a location for the 'Network 2' network.

I pick "Home" and I'm all set. Now, Start > All Programs > Windows Update, [Check for Updates].

Quote of the day appears:

To check for updates, you must first install an update for Windows Update. Your automatic updating settings will not change.

From the sounds of it, I should be relieved. Did I mention I was updating? Yes, and 13 are available. Off I go...