brink668 Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 My Windows Server 2003 (Dell PowerEdge 2800) Under the General Tab and in Task Manager I noticed after installing the OS it is only showing 256MB out of 4GB that is available. I have a Dell PERC 4E/Di Raid Controller that has 256MB of memory. Is the OS using this memory instead of the actual ram installed? I even tried to enable /PAE on system startup, but that didn't do anything. *New*: I have now noticed under the System Profiling it says 256MB for System Memory. Though just below that are the 4x 1GB sticks. I find it really strange. I going to call Dell on Monday but I would like to know if any of you smart people have come across this in the past or what may be causing this. Thanks! SOLUTION:BIOS setting "OS Install Mode=Off" needs to be set instead of being on. When ON system is limited to 256MB of Ram Thank you everyone for helping! Edit: Image Attached Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raa Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I'm not sure what you're asking here. Are you saying it's a problem that you're using only 256mb of ram when you've just installed because it's too much, or too little? Don't use the /PAE switch unless absolutely necessary (you've been told to do it). If you're thinking it's using too little ram, start installing AD and other services, guaranteed you'll use more ram! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vice Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Can you post an image of the Task Manager so we can see how it is utilizing the memory? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giantsnyy Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I think what he's saying is that his system is only showing that it has 256MB instead of 4GB... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brink668 Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share Posted October 16, 2010 Can you post an image of the Task Manager so we can see how it is utilizing the memory? Added. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vice Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 That is very strange. You would expect to atleast have 1GB accessible. 256MB of 4GB when your using 4x1GB modules is very strange. I've had a similar thing happen before but never to these extremes. In my case it was due to a single bad memory module within a set of six. Are you able to test the memory in another system or each stick individually in your current system? It feels like a software issue but I've had similar experiences with hardware so I don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sc302 Veteran Posted October 16, 2010 Veteran Share Posted October 16, 2010 I would suggest calling dell. Something is not right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brink668 Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share Posted October 16, 2010 I will have to do that on Monday. Do you know of any Hotfixes that might fix a memory glitch like this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phunkymunky Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 is there anything in the bootloader pointing to it limiting ram? Check msconfig, under boot.ini tab, and click advanced options. Is there anything set for /maxmem=? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherITguy Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Did this happen after you added the RAID controller? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brink668 Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share Posted October 16, 2010 I remember seeing an option in the BIOS "OS Install Mode" it's probably turned on. That is probably limiting the System Memory. Thank you for your help everyone! If I don't report by Tuesday problem solved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phunkymunky Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 bingo. OS Install Mode limits the maximum memory to 256mb. switch it off, and you should be using that 4gb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vijayanupoju Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 making OS Install Mode : OFF worked for me... thanks.. vijay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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