Windows 2003 Server not using all available memory

[Randall]

Hello;

I have been installing a Windows 2003 server into my environment. When I
loaded Windows 2003, I only had 2Gb of memory loaded on the system. After
the install and patching, I added an additional 2Gb of memory. The hardware
sees all the memory at boot up.

In System Information, it reports that there is 4,096.00 MB of Total
Physical Memory. However, it reports that there is only 3.13 GB of
Available Physical Memory. Total Virtual Memory is 8.85GB and Available
Virtual Memory is only 8.25 GB.

Is this normal and why would it happen? Can I get the system to use all the
Total Physical Memory? It's an SQL box, so I would like it to use the
maximum available resources of the hardware.

Thanks.

 

[Miha Pihler]

Hi Randall,

Check if these information will help you out,

Large memory support is available in Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=283037

Memory Support and Windows Operating Systems
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEmem.mspx

How to Use the /USERVA Switch in the Boot.ini File to Tune /3GB
Configurations
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316739

Total Amount of Physical Memory Is Incorrect After You Hot-Add Memory by
Using the /3GB Switch in the Boot.ini File
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822842

Mike

 

[Leonard Severt [MSFT]]

Hello;

I have been installing a Windows 2003 server into my environment.
When I loaded Windows 2003, I only had 2Gb of memory loaded on the
system. After the install and patching, I added an additional 2Gb of
memory. The hardware sees all the memory at boot up.

In System Information, it reports that there is 4,096.00 MB of Total
Physical Memory. However, it reports that there is only 3.13 GB of
Available Physical Memory. Total Virtual Memory is 8.85GB and
Available Virtual Memory is only 8.25 GB.

Is this normal and why would it happen? Can I get the system to use
all the Total Physical Memory? It's an SQL box, so I would like it to
use the maximum available resources of the hardware.

Thanks.

I think what you are seeing is the way it is supposed to be. You say
that total memory is shown as 4 gig and available is 3.13 gig. That
would indicate that Windows is using around 800 meg. Depending on the
configuration that would be normal on a server. Your 4 gig will never
all show as available.

Leonard Severt

Microsoft Enterprise Support Team