Question

Windows 2003 R2 server , more than 4 GB RAM memory problem

Asked by: valbam

I have installed server 2003 R2 with SP2 on a HP Proliant DL 380 G5, the server has 8 GB RAM physical !
The problem is that the OS do not see more than 3.5 GB RAM, I wonder how to fix so the R2 can se all 8 GB RAM. I have not installed anything else on the server, the only thing is the OS.
Is any solution on this ?

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Asked On
2007-07-23 at 02:22:18ID22713589
Tags

2003

,

windows

,

ram

,

server

,

memory

Topics

Computer Memory (RAM)

,

Windows 2003 Server

,

Microsoft Server

Participating Experts
5
Points
250
Comments
9

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Answers

 

by: andyalderPosted on 2007-07-23 at 02:33:29ID: 19545905

Use the /PAE switch in boot.ini, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/291988/en-us

 

by: StuFox100Posted on 2007-07-23 at 02:36:20ID: 19545915

To see anything over 4GB you will also need to install WIndows 2003 R2 enterprise as the max for standard is 4GB
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/bb430827.aspx
Cheers
Stu

 

by: PberPosted on 2007-07-23 at 05:32:51ID: 19546674

Aside from needed enterprise edition as Stu already mentioned.  The reason why you only see 3.5GB instead of 4GB (which is the limit imposed by the standard OS) is because of the PCI chipset overhead.

 

by: andyalderPosted on 2007-07-23 at 05:51:58ID: 19546809

I'm surprised they only lost .5GB on a DL380 G5, you normally lose .75GB but that may be down to two PCI memory holes if you have mixed riser card. /PAE will get it up to 4GB with Windows standard 32 bit but as mentioned before won't go over 4GB.

 

by: arkopoloPosted on 2007-07-23 at 07:00:53ID: 19547429

Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard x64 Edition, is well-suited for high-performance computing (HPC) clusters, Terminal Services, Active Directory data stores larger than 2 GB, databases, business applications, Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0, and memory-bound applications that do not require more than four processors.

Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard x64 Edition, supports up to 32 GB of RAM on 1- to 4-way servers. Supported processors include:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/bb405950.aspx

 

by: valbamPosted on 2007-07-24 at 00:54:29ID: 19554174

How can I take advantage of the rest of RAM wich are left over 4 GB memory.
The OS is using only 4 GB after /PAE switch in boot ini.
I have 8 GB installed and I need a lot of memory to run a speciall aplication wich we developed inhouse for this HP DL 380 G5

Any suggestions how to use all 8 GB ?
I can not use  R2 x64 Edition or Enteprise, the license I have is Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition

 

by: leewPosted on 2007-07-24 at 01:01:42ID: 19554196

Then you CANNOT take advantage of the RAM.  Standard Edition 32 bit is LIMITED by Microsoft to 4 GB.  If you want more RAM utilized, you have to upgrade to Enterprise OR switch (with a fresh install) to x64 version of standard.  THERE IS NO LEGAL WAY AROUND THIS and NO TECHNICAL WAY I've ever heard of.  Sell the RAM.  Or upgrade the server.  Sorry you don't like the answer, but if you read the help on this site, you will see it's the only one we can give you to this question.  WE CANNOT HELP YOU VIOLATE LICENSING.

 

by: valbamPosted on 2007-07-24 at 01:58:33ID: 19554468

I don`t mean to get around the legal stuff, my question was if there was any technical solution on this !
But now I know that if I want to use more than 4 GB I have to decide if I will run on X64 or buy Enterprise license.
Thanks for your help to all of you !

 

by: andyalderPosted on 2007-07-24 at 02:20:53ID: 19554583

Is 3GB enough RAM for your application, if so the /3GB flag will give the OS 1GB and the app 3GB.
Is the app 32 bit? If so it probably can't use RAM above 4GB anyway, not all applications can use AWE/PAE memory, for example there are numerous documented issues/fixes for MS SQL which is AWE aware.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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