"Qu0ll" <Qu0llSixFour@xxxxxx> wrote:
Quote:
>Actually, I notice that my Server 2003 machine is 32-bit with 4GB and seems
>to see and use all 4GB. So it's not just a 32-bit thing - it must be
>related to the nature of the OS itself. Most of the explanations I've seen
>for the low reporting are based on the "it's a 32-bit OS" argument.
Hmm...I wonder. This page
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/w.../bb404900.aspx says
Server 2003 32 bit supports 4GB, and that claim is made for 32-bit XP
and Vista systems also. This one
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/w.../bb429524.aspx says
that 32-bit Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition supports up to 64GB,
which
means it would have to support PAE.
I don't know a lot about the server systems, but I suspect that if
you're not running the R2 Enterprise edition, it may be showing 4GB
but it's not using it anymore than Vista - with or without SP1 -
does.
And you're right that it's a 32-bit hardware thing. A 32-bit address
space translates to 4GB. That has to be used to access BIOS, Video
RAM and a few other things. What's left over after those needs are
satisfied is used for system RAM.
--
Tim Slattery
MS MVP(Shell/User)
Slattery_T@xxxxxx
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt