DL380 G3s w/ 5GB of Physical RAM shows up as 4.5GB Physical with /PAE in W2K3

[Darren Z]

We have some DL380 G3s that are running Windows 2003. The servers have 4 1GB DIMMs and 2 512MB DIMMs for a total of 5GB. All 5GB (5120) of RAM is read during POST. If the server is booted with out a /PAE switch then the OS sees 3.50GB which seems wrong. I would expect to see 4GB. In any case, with the /PAE switch I only see 4.5GB which again seems wrong since there is 5GB in the machine. Is 512MB being reserved for something?

[Rob Leadbeater]

Hi,

Have a look at this advisory:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=PSD_EL041214_CW01

You'll probably need to upgrade the BIOS on the servers...

Remember that the different versions of Windows 2003 Server have different memory limits. Standard Edition can only use up to 4GB.

Cheers,

Rob

[Darren Z]

Thanks but I don't think that's the issue. One we run "Enterprise Edition" and two that article only affects "ProLiant DL380 G4" and I am talking about a G3. To add the BIOS is current.

Any other ideas, thanks.

[Rob Leadbeater · Accepted solution]

OK. Missed the G3 bit...

Take a look at this advisory instead which looks more relevant...:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=PSD_CN0409W

Cheers,

Rob

[Darren Z]

Thanks... It appears it's being reserved by the PCI Bus.