More ram than the regular OS can see

[linux2.0XX4ws]

Okay so my question is can I put more ram than my OS can recognize in the computer to use with virtual machines. IE My current macbook can only use 4gb's, if I throw two 8 gb sticks in it, will it cap out at 4 gbs still or will I be able to use that extra 12 gb of ram on the virtual machines.

[noteirak]

you can only assign visible RAM from the host to the VMs, so if it is capped at 4 GB, you'll only see that regardless what you stick in.

[loukingjr]

Okay so my question is can I put more ram than my OS can recognize in the computer to use with virtual machines. IE My current macbook can only use 4gb's, if I throw two 8 gb sticks in it, will it cap out at 4 gbs still or will I be able to use that extra 12 gb of ram on the virtual machines.

Just out of curiosity, what MacBook do you have that can only use 4GB and what version of OSX are you running?

[linux2.0XX4ws]

The late 2008 unibody, I have the latest mountain Lion, I will be really REALLY upset if you tell me my computer can support more ram because I did some decent research before upgrading from the 2gb's it came with.

http://support.apple.com/kb/SP500 thats where my confirmation for the 4gb's max came from. (haven't been a member for a day yet, sorry for the craigslist style post)

[noteirak]

Well it does say 4GB, so 4GB it is.

[loukingjr]

here is an article on how you may be able to upgrade to either 6GB or 8GB. Link