4GB of ram shows as 3.5GB W2K3

[Mizzery]

I have an HP Proliant ML350 G5 server that I am setting up for a customer. It shipped with 2GB of ram (4X512). I recently added another 2GB in (2X1GB). All parts used are genuine HP. Going to properties in my computer - or task manager show 3.5GB memory installed - however CPU-Z shows 4096MB. Any Idea why windows is hiding the other half a gig?

Thanks,

Chris

[JamesXP]

If its x86/32bit it can't adress more than 3~ of ram

[Mizzery]

It is x86 / 32.

Not trying to be argumentative but according to microsoft - 2003 R2 provides support for 4GB of ram - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/bb404900.aspx

I'm going to try the /PAE switch in the boot.ini - will post my findings. Thanks

[Mizzery]

Dupe post - edited.

[thideras]

It is x86 / 32.

Not trying to be argumentative but according to microsoft - 2003 R2 provides support for 4GB of ram - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/bb404900.aspx

I'm going to try the /PAE switch in the boot.ini - will post my findings. ThanksYes, 32bit can use up to 4gb (absolute max that it can address) your forgot about swap/pagefiling.

[kallejr]

After enabling PAE you might want to consult your bios for a memory remapping option

[Mizzery]

THE /PAE worked - not sure why windows wouldn't address the max ram without it - but finding out would require more research with little added benefit.

Hope this helps someone looking for the same answer

- Chris

[Mizzery]

My system is showing th 4GB in taskmanager - as well as 1.1GB of page file usage - will the system just not use the extra ram even though it shows it as being there?

[kallejr]

PAE enables Windows to address more than 4GB. This is neede beause there are other hardware resources that requires memory addresses. With only 4GB, the system cannot assign addresses to all the RAM

[GTengineer]

I just dealt with this issue but on the Linux side but I ended up going with the 64bit OS. The PAE extensions from what I have read utilizes some CPU resources and I am very anal about my CPU resources :D

[kallejr]

well the page translation gets a little bit more complex, but i guess the mmu is optimized for it.

I run in PAE mode all the time on my XP SP2. This gives me hardware enforced DEP, which can give some protection from evil code exploiting buffer overruns

[EezurpaiN]

I could not get windows to recognize all of my ram untill I went to the 64bit version..

[kallejr]

Not all versions can go beyond 4GB

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283037