havent heard about the slow thing.

win xp x64 will recognize 4 GB...but 32 bit xp will recognize it also..you just have to tweak the boot.ini file to do so.

Do a Google.com search on how much ram is too much, and you will find articles on having too much ram, and slowing gaming down a bit.   If you are doing scientific work or vast amount of number crunching, having more ram is good.  But if you look in the Windows Task Manager, than click on Performance you will see how much ram is being used at any given time.  Play games, and leave some applications open at the same time, than look into Windows Task manager, to see how much you are really using, which will give you an idea if you need more.   A few games work better with 2 gb of main memory, but most only need 1 gb or less. 

Perhaps this is what you are looking for:
http://tinyurl.com/6sho6

Thanks for that link, Tom.

It talks about Windows XP Pro. What about MCE?

And I'm still uncertain when it refers to "virtual memory". Does that include swap? I was hoping to get a full 4GB of RAM so I can use VMware, but that is starting to seem unlikely.

Thanks.

This should help:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;555223

My understanding is that MCE is based on Pro, so I believe the memory questions will apply equally.

Message Edited by Tom McCune on 04-07-200606:43 AM

Thanks Tom for the info.  Do media and pro function the same?

Dell's system checker thinks I'm running Pro too. So must be true! Thanks for the info.