Yes, it is wasted.

The 32-bit versions of Windows Vista limit the total available memory to
3.12 G.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605
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"Colin Barnhorst" wrote in message
...
The "shortfall" is reserved by the BIOS for things like memory-mapped IO
for your video card and such. It is in use but not by user programs.
There are two of you using the computer, you and the computer. Don't
worry about it.

"LL" wrote in message
...
i feel confused seeing different answers. some say it is wasted, some say
it
is not.
i heard that the rest of RAM is used for hardware addressing purposes.
can
someone clearify on that please?

HP says my notebook can run 64bit vista, but i dont think i'd spend time
to
change it fearing that something may not work.

"f/fgeorge" wrote:

On Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:10:01 -0700, LL
wrote:

After installing SP1 on Vista, the system properties report that I have
4Gb
RAM installed, which is true.
However it seems that from the Task Manager, it only can handle up to 3
Gb
RAM. So is the other 1Gb wasted? Or is it actually in use for other
invisible
purposes?

NO it is NOT wasted, yes it is available, just not reported.