Is SP2 memory eating?

[Juergen]

We have two 64-bit workstations (Dual Opteron and Dual
Xeon with E64T) with 8 GB RAM.
Ok we know that we can't get access to over 4GB of RAM.
But under Windows XP (32Bit) they show only 3 GB and not
as expected 4 GB physical memory.
We are using Service Pack 2. Changing the NX flag
settings and optional adding the PAE support
didn't led to 4GB. (/noexecute=AlwaysOff /PAE)

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/
winxppro/maintain/sp2mempr.mspx

Is this behavior a feature or a bug?

Juergen

 

[SlowJet]

From what I understand the 4GB is divided in half and a program (32) can
only have 2 GB of virual memory address space. The boot line option of /3GB
and /user??? something make 3GB available to a Program by restricking the
OS( kernal?) to one GB.
So if you are showing 3GB you can run bigger programs but (are there any to
run unless you code your own?).

The other reason(s) given were for testing DRIVER?

So, you would actuallly be better off not using the /3GB switch. Also, I
don't think this has anything to do with REAL memoery available to multiple
programs.
If you have 8GB then you should be aable to use at lesast 5.6 GB for running
32 bit programs at the same time. That would be about 200 or so.

SJ

 

[Juergen]

I didn't use the /3GB OR /USERVA switch in the case below.
I don't understand way the taskmanager will not show 4GB.
Today I red in other newsgroup that some will have the
same problem.

http://blogs.msdn.com/carmencr/archive/2004/08/06/210093.a
spx

Does this apply to XP as well? If so, what settings in
boot.ini are required to make this work properly?