How much memory can Windows XP handle?

[kandrathe]

Thanks all for the information and tips. The store that buikt the computer could not get Windows to work properly with more than 2 GB (they got some error message with 4 appearantly). The solution for now is that I have 2GB put in and got the other 2 as spare. I will when I get some time in the future for this, try to see if I can get the other 2 working some way, going by tips suggested here. I just got my computer home the other day so have not had time looking at anything yet.

First thing I would do is to research the RAM and see what the MOBO spec is, the BIOS memory timing settings and if all 4 sticks are the same. It might be that 2 sticks work with one set of Memory bus timings, but for 4 sticks you might need to change the timings slightly. If the 4 sticks are not equal, I would research the differences and try to get 4 equal parts. Then I would look at the MOBO documentation to see if there are any silly jumpers or dips switches to configure, and finally I would install the 4 sticks of RAM and see how it fails. Depending on the error, then I would follow up with MOBO, Bios, or OS research to determine how to correct the problem (if it is possible).