maximum RAM limitations, useful RAM 2

[bshbsh]

I am setting up Windows 2003 R2 32Bit on a few Dells with 6GB RAM and dual Intel Core chips. I have read MS reports and the following,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Server_2003#Enterprise_Edition

which shows the maximum RAM supported on.

I set one up and when I go into properties, it does show 6GB. Now my question is, is it able to use all of it or should I have done something while/after installation for the 2003 to be able to use all of the 6GB memory. The virtual memory allocation also showed maximum allocation of 2GB. I thought by default, the OS setup sets the virtual memory at 1.5 times the physical memory.

Please advice.
Thanks.

 

[itsp1965]

If you can see it in Properties then this means that the OS is using all 6GB. In terms of pagefile size, I would recommend the following settings;
C: drive - 50MB
D: drive (and other drives if avail) - Set to System Managed

By setting it to system managed as opposed to hard coding an amount, Windows will use what is necessary (usually 2x RAM).

Hope this helps

 

[mrdenny]

Starting with Windows 2003 SP1 (I think, might have been SP2) Windows starts putting in the boot.ini switches for you so that you can use over the 2 Gig limit without having to go in and do it your self.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005) / Database Developer (SQL 2005)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

 

[itsp1965]

Actually you will only be able to see your memory directly in Win2003 is if your system supports hot-add memory. Otherwise you still have to manually add the /PAE extension in boot.ini. Of course this is pre-SP2 so I don't know if this has changed.

 

[bshbsh]

Thanks a bunch all.