Can I extend memory beyond Host RAM limit

[StuartG]

I'm running Vista Home Premium 32-bit on a 64-bit AMD Phenom desktop.

I know that the max memory for 32-bit Vista is 4 GB. My motherboard will take up to 8 GB.

If I install another 4GB of memory, and use hardware virtualisation option, will VirtualBox allow me to add guests to the maximum 8GB on my hardware, or is it limited to 4 GB of 32-bit host OS ?

The plan would be to run several OS's to maximise the use of my hardware, with negligible impact on the host OS.

I don't really want to waste money on memory if it won't work

Thanks

[Perryg]

The following is from the Users guide

• Chapter 13. Known issues
  64-bit guests on some 32-bit host systems with VT-x can cause instabilities to your system. If you experience this, do not attempt to execute 64-bit guests.

Now it may work but you need to be totally sure that your hardware will support Hardware Virtualization. A lot of them say they will but don't. I would try to install a 64 bit OS before you go to the expense of memory too find out it will not work. AFAIK the memory that is read is the MB memory not what the host can use.

[dmcgraw]

If I install another 4GB of memory, and use hardware virtualisation option, will VirtualBox allow me to add guests to the maximum 8GB on my hardware, or is it limited to 4 GB of 32-bit host OS ?

If the host can't use the additional memory, the guest can't either.