oh sorry, I should have mentioned this too...

the systems and the readings they gave me

Pentium 3 Epox ep3vwb+ from 2001 gave me the 2GB reading....only it said something like 3986 cylinders...I'm sure it wasn't 4096

My P-pro from 1997 give's me 8.5Gb.....I see your point there...
and my SIIG ATA/66 Adapter gives me 12GB

any thoughts?