/3gb switch - serious problems

[Forze]

Hi guys,

I have some real problems with my windows server 2003 Web installation
(clean install, just the drivers and a few programs).
It works fine with 2GB of memory, but when I installed an additional 2, windows won't see it. It shows up in BIOS and Seesoft Sandra.
I have tried the /3GB switch, but then something strange happens - I can't log in with my admin account.
It simply says that it's corrupted, and logs me on using a temporary account. If I remove the /3GB switch, everytning is back to normal.

I even tried the /3GB with the /Userva=2900 switch, and then I can login, but windows still sees only 2GB RAM.
I know that the 4GB limit in 32bit systems includes the grafix RAM and the page file, so I lowered the page file to 1024MB, but no difference...
I had the same errors when doing it to my XP SP2 installation on the
same drive (different partition).
I'm really stuck here, and if someone could point me in the right direction I would really appreciate it! =)

My setup:
Intel Core 2 Quad @ 2.4gHz | 4GB DDR2 SDRAM | Asus P5B DeLuxe WiFi Edition | 2 Seagate SATA drives, 160GB | 2 ATI Radeon X1300 PCIe | 3 Samsung SyncMaster 940BW | RME Hammerfall DSP 96/52 | Universal Audio UAD1 PCI | Focusrite LiquidMix |

 

[tgstyle]

Try the /PAE switch

 

[Forze]

Yeah, I did that, but nothing... Should I use the /3gb in conjunction with the /PAE ?

 

[tgstyle]

Or install XP64 or Vista 64

http://www.dansdata.com/askdan00015.htm

 

[Forze]

Not an option I'm afraid... It's a music production machine, and none of the host programs nor the plugins that's available works well under the 64 bit architecture... They usually become so unstable that the system is in fact rendered useless. =(
I think I can still use this machine if I can access some more memory tho, hence these questions. =)

 

[zenmaster]

/PAE does not work under Windows 2003 Std Edition, you need 2003 Enterprise Edition for the /PAE switch to do much.

Even w/o those switches, Windows should still be seeing 3gb+ of you RAM. If not, something is seriously wrong with your Windows Install.

 

[Forze]

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too... I'm sure that I wouldn't need to have the memory in the machine during installation for it to work, but maybe I should give that I try - and while I'm at it change to enterprise edition.
Weird tho, I can't for the love of my life figure out why it won't find more memory.
I checked the new memory with memtest x86, and they had a couple of bad sectors (I'm getting new ones shipped to me).
I don't think that should matter, but I guess anything is possible (still it's strange that sandra and bios sees the total amount).

I've googled my a** of trying to find an explanation for this, but I guess this is a "one machine only" kinda problem. =\

 

[tgstyle]

Well bacically no switch will get you past 3GB since XP has a hard limit of 4GB no matter what. The 3GB-4GB range is reserved for expansion cards and video cards. So unless you can go to a 64Bit OS you are stuck with 3GB. Some motherboards have an option to remap memory above 4GB. You can try that as an option but I don't think that will matter with a 32Bit OS anyway.

 

[Forze]

tgstyle:

Thanks for the link! Still, I can live with not being able to utilize all of the RAM just as long as I
can push the system a bit over my current 2GB limit.
I really really need the extra space (samplers eats RAM like I don't know what).

=)

 

[dengamle]

when only 4GB of physical address space is available, make sure memory remapping is disabled in bios.

make sure the application also supports 3GB of address space, otherwise it won't benefit from the /3GB switch

 

[Forze]

Yeah, the application supports it. Will disabling memory remapping solve the problems described in the first post?

 

[dengamle]

there is a good chance of that. It remaps on a 1G boundary, so if your useable amount of ram falls between 2 and 3G, you will only see 2 of them

 

[Forze]

Ok, thanx, I'll try that! (just need to wait for the replacement units to show up...).
I'll report back when I have some more news =)

 

[Forze]

Hey everyone

Ok, so I got the new memory modules today.
They too seem to be broken according to Memtestx86, but I'm gonna do one more
check and remove my original 2GB (same brand) that I know are ok.
I'm starting to suspect something with my mainboard...
I experience the same symptoms as before =(

I've tried everything - BIOS upgrade, Chipset upgrade, Disabling Memory Remapping
(then the boot sequence only shows 2GB of memory!), the /3GB switch alone,
the /3GB with /PAE, and /PAE alone...
Nothing!

System Properties still states 2,00 GB of RAM, msinfo32 states 4GB of available RAM, and
Sandra show 1GB pins in all four slots.
The P5B manual states that the board supports up to 8GB of memory.

All the symptoms are exactly the same with my XP SP2 installation...

Please, I really need some serious help here. I'm not used to not being able to
fix things, and it drives me mad...
On top of that I need the machine to complete some work which is due next week. =(


--------------------------------------------------------------

These are the logs from System Properties, msinfo32 and Sandra:

System properties:

Computer:
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 quad CPU
@ 2.40GHz
2,00 GB of RAM
Physical Address Extension


msinfo32:

OS Name Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Server 2003, Web Edition
Version 5.2.3790 Build 3790
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name MACHINE
System Manufacturer System manufacturer
System Model System Product Name
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 7 GenuineIntel ~2400 Mhz
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 7 GenuineIntel ~2400 Mhz
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 7 GenuineIntel ~2400 Mhz
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 7 GenuineIntel ~2400 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. 1216, 2007-08-14
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Windows Directory G:\WINDOWS
System Directory G:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.2.3790.0 (srv03_rtm.030324-2048)"
User Name MACHINE\Administrator
Time Zone W. Europe Daylight Time
Total Physical Memory 4 096,00 MB
Available Physical Memory 1,75 GB
Total Virtual Memory 4,92 GB
Available Virtual Memory 4,52 GB
Page File Space 2,92 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys


Sandra:

System
Manufacturer : System manufacturer
Model : System Product Name
Family : To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Version : System Version
Serial Number : System Serial Number
ID : XXXYYYXXXYYYXXX
SKU Number : To Be Filled By O.E.M.

System Chassis
Manufacturer : Chassis Manufacture
Type : Desktop
Can be locked : No
Version : Chassis Version
Power Cord(s) : 1
Serial Number : Chassis Serial Number
Asset Tag : Asset-1234567890
Boot-up State : Safe
Power State : Safe
Thermal State : Safe
Security State : External Interface Locked-out

Mainboard
Manufacturer : ASUSTeK Computer INC.
MP Support : 1 Processor(s)
MPS Version : 1.40
Model : P5B-Deluxe
Type : Mainboard
Version : Rev 1.xx
Serial Number : MB-1234567890
Asset Tag : To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Location in Chassis : To Be Filled By O.E.M.
System BIOS : 64-1216-000001-00101111-081407-Intel-BW

System Mainboard Properties
Removable : No
Replaceable : Yes
Hot Swap : No

On-board Devices
Onboard Ethernet : Ethernet Adapter (Enabled)

System Memory Controller
Location : Mainboard
Error Correction Capability : None
Number of Memory Slots : 4
Maximum Installable Memory : 4GB
BANK0 - DIMM0 : Manufacturer0 PartNum0 SerNum0 AssetTagNum0 DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 1GB/64 @ 800Mt/s
BANK1 - DIMM1 : Manufacturer1 PartNum1 SerNum1 AssetTagNum1 DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 1GB/64 @ 800Mt/s
BANK2 - DIMM2 : Manufacturer2 PartNum2 SerNum2 AssetTagNum2 DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 1GB/64 @ 800Mt/s
BANK3 - DIMM3 : Manufacturer3 PartNum3 SerNum3 AssetTagNum3 DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 1GB/64 @ 800Mt/s

Chipset 1
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc P965/G965 Memory Controller Hub
Bus(es) : ISA PCI PCIe IMB USB FireWire/1394 i2c/SMBus
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 267MHz (1068MHz data rate)
Maximum FSB Speed / Max Memory Speed : 4x 400MHz / 4x 233MHz
Width : 64-bit
IO Queue Depth : 12 request(s)

Chipset 1 Hub Interface
Type : DMI (Direct Media Interface)
Version : 1.00
Number of Ports : 4
In/Out Width : 4-bit / 4-bit
Multiplier : 3/1x
Speed : 1x 100MHz (100MHz data rate)

Logical/Chipset 1 Memory Banks
Bank 0 : 512MB DDR2-SDRAM 5.0-6-6-15 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS) CR1
Bank 1 : 512MB DDR2-SDRAM 5.0-6-6-15 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS) CR1
Bank 2 : 512MB DDR2-SDRAM 5.0-6-6-15 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS) CR1
Bank 3 : 512MB DDR2-SDRAM 5.0-6-6-15 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS) CR1
Bank 4 : 512MB DDR2-SDRAM 5.0-6-6-15 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS) CR1
Bank 5 : 512MB DDR2-SDRAM 5.0-6-6-15 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS) CR1
Bank 6 : 512MB DDR2-SDRAM 5.0-6-6-15 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS) CR1
Bank 7 : 512MB DDR2-SDRAM 5.0-6-6-15 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS) CR1
Channels : 2
Speed : 4x 200MHz (800MHz data rate)
Multiplier : 6/8x
Width : 64-bit
Memory Controller in Processor : No
Performance Acceleration Technology : Yes
Refresh Rate : 7.80µs
Power Save Mode : No
Fixed Hole Present : No

APIC 1
Version : 2.00
Multiplier : 1/2x
Maximum Interrupts : 24
IRQ Handler Engaged : Yes
Enhanced Support : Yes

Memory Module 1
Manufacturer : Corsair
Model : CM2X1024-6400
Type : 1GB DIMM DDR2-SDRAM
Technology : 16x(64Mx8)
Speed : PC2-6400U
Standard Timings : 5.0-5-5-18 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)
Version : 1.2
Date of Manufacture : den 16 juli 2006
Set Timing @ 400MHz : 5.0-5-5-18 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)
Set Timing @ 270MHz : 4.0-3-3-12 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)

Memory Module 2
Manufacturer : Corsair
Model : CM2X1024-6400
Type : 1GB DIMM DDR2-SDRAM
Technology : 16x(64Mx8)
Speed : PC2-6400U
Standard Timings : 5.0-5-5-18 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)
Version : 1.2
Date of Manufacture : den 16 juli 2006
Set Timing @ 400MHz : 5.0-5-5-18 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)
Set Timing @ 270MHz : 4.0-3-3-12 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)

Memory Module 3
Manufacturer : Corsair
Model : CM2X1024-6400
Type : 1GB DIMM DDR2-SDRAM
Technology : 16x(64Mx8)
Speed : PC2-6400U
Standard Timings : 5.0-5-5-18 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)
Version : 1.2
Date of Manufacture : den 16 juli 2006
Set Timing @ 400MHz : 5.0-5-5-18 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)
Set Timing @ 270MHz : 4.0-3-3-12 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)

Memory Module 4
Manufacturer : Corsair
Model : CM2X1024-6400
Type : 1GB DIMM DDR2-SDRAM
Technology : 16x(64Mx8)
Speed : PC2-6400U
Standard Timings : 5.0-5-5-18 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)
Version : 1.2
Date of Manufacture : den 16 juli 2006
Set Timing @ 400MHz : 5.0-5-5-18 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)
Set Timing @ 270MHz : 4.0-3-3-12 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)

PCI Bus(es) on Hub 1
Version : 2.30
Number of Bridges : 5
PCI Bus 0 : PCI (1/1x PCIClk)
PCI Bus 1 : PCIe (3/1x PCIClk)
PCI Bus 2 : PCIe (3/1x PCIClk)
PCI Bus 3 : PCIe (3/1x PCIClk)
PCI Bus 4 : PCIe (3/1x PCIClk)
PCI Bus 5 : PCI (1/1x PCIClk)
Number of PCIe Lanes : 22

LPC Hub Controller 1
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc 82801HB/HR (ICH8/R) LPC Interface Controller
ACPI Power Management Enabled : Yes
Advanced TCO Mode Support : Yes
Advanced TCO Mode Enabled : No
High Precision Timer Enabled : Yes
Number of Precision Timers : 3
System Timer : 14MHz
Delayed Transaction Enabled : Yes

LPC Hub Controller 2
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc 82801H (ICH8 Family) SMBus Controller

Sound Adapter 1
Model : Xilinx Corp RME Digi9652 Hammerfall DSP
Type : AC '97

USB Controller 1
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB UHCI #4
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 2
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB UHCI #5
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 3
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB2 EHCI #2
Version : 2.00
Specification : 1.00
Interface : EHCI
Channels : 4
Companion Controllers : 2
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps) High (480Mbps)
Addressing Support : 64-bit
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 4
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB UHCI #1
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 5
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB UHCI #2
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 6
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB UHCI #3
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 7
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB2 EHCI #1
Version : 2.00
Specification : 1.00
Interface : EHCI
Channels : 6
Companion Controllers : 3
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps) High (480Mbps)
Addressing Support : 64-bit
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

FireWire/1394 Controller 1
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc TSB43AB22 1394a-2000 OHCI PHY/Link-Layer Controller
Version : 1.10
Interface : OHCI
Enhanced Support : Yes
Channels : 64
Speed : 400MHz

System SMBus Controller 1
Model : Intel 801xx/63xx SMBus
Version : 0.02
Specification : 2.00
Advanced TCO Mode Enabled : No
Slave Device Enabled : Yes
PEC Support : Yes
Speed : 100kHz

Expansion Slot(s)
PCIEX16_1 : PCI-X 32-bit +3.3V Shared PME Half-Length Used
PCI_1 (5h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V Shared PME Half-Length Available
PCI_2 (6h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V Shared PME Half-Length Available
PCI_3 (7h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V Shared PME Half-Length Available
PCIEX1_1 (3h) : PCI-X 32-bit +3.3V Shared PME Half-Length Used (Ge-Cube ??? (7187))
PCIEX16_2 (4h) : PCI-X 32-bit +3.3V Shared PME Half-Length Available (Ge-Cube ??? (7187))

Port Connector(s)
PS/2 Mouse - PS/2 Mouse : Mouse / PS/2
PS/2 Keyboard - PS/2 Keyboard : Keyboard / PS/2
USB1 - USB1 : USB / USB
USB2 - USB2 : USB / USB
USB3 - USB3 : USB / USB
USB4 - USB4 : USB / USB
USB5 - USB5 : USB / USB
USB6 - USB6 : USB / USB
USB7 - USB7 : USB / USB
USB8 - USB8 : USB / USB
USB9 - USB9 : USB / USB
USB10 - USB10 : USB / USB
COM 1 - COM 1 : Serial Port 16550A / DB-9 pin male
COM 2 - COM 2 : Serial Port 16550A / DB-9 pin male
Audio Line Out1 - Audio Line Out1 : Audio / Mini-jack
Audio Line Out2 - Audio Line Out2 : Audio / Mini-jack
Audio Line Out3 - Audio Line Out3 : Audio / Mini-jack
Audio Line Out4 - Audio Line Out4 : Audio / Mini-jack
Audio Line Out5 - Audio Line Out5 : Audio / Mini-jack
Audio Line Out6 - Audio Line Out6 : Audio / Mini-jack
SPDIF_OUT1 - SPDIF_OUT1 : Audio / CD-ROM Sound Input
SPDIF_OUT2 - SPDIF_OUT2 : Audio / CD-ROM Sound Input
GbE LAN 1 - GbE LAN 1 : Network / RJ-45
PCI LAN 2 - PCI LAN 2 : Network / RJ-45
FireWire 1 - FireWire 1 : FireWire/1394
FireWire 2 - FireWire 2 : FireWire/1394
SB_SATA1 : ATA
SB_SATA2 : ATA
SB_SATA3 : ATA
SB_SATA4 : ATA
SB_SATA5 : ATA
SB_SATA6 : ATA
JMicron_SATA1 : ATA
JMicron_SATA2 : ATA
JMicron_IDE : ATA
CHA_FAN1 : None
CHA_FAN2 : None
CHA_FAN3 : None
CD : Audio / CD-ROM Sound Input
FP_AUDIO : Audio / CD-ROM Sound Input
WIFI : None
FLOPPY : Floppy Disk
CPU_FAN : None
PWR_FAN : None

Performance Tips
Notice 224 : SMBIOS/DMI information may be inaccurate.
Warning 2508 : All memory slots are full. Upgrading the memory may be difficult or expensive.
Tip 2 : Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip is selected for more information about the tip.

 

[zenmaster]

It's the 2003 Server Web Edition.
That version only supports 2GB of memory.
Don't ask me why

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778.aspx

 

[Jim_L9]

Do the memtest on the two original sticks of memory, then swap them with the other two and try again. I think you have a bad memeory slot or controller, which means the MB will need to be swapped out.

 

[Forze]

Aah, yeah, it seems that you're right! I guess I have to try enterprise edition instead (I downloaded the 120 day trial from MS a week ago).
I still don't understand why my XP SP2 can't see the additional memory. I mean, it should see something like 3,2GB or something right?

Thank you so much! =)

 

[Forze]

Do the memtest on the two original sticks of memory, then swap them with the other two and try again. I think you have a bad memeory slot or controller, which means the MB will need to be swapped out.

Thanx, I'll try to do that (it takes time). Strange tho that bios can see all 4GB when memory mapping is enabled, and that sandra and msinfo32 can see it "in system".
I'll give it a try tho. =)

Thanx for your help!

 

[Forze]

Jim_L9

Hi again,

All the RAM's are ok. I had to manually set all the memory timings in BIOS and then memtest86 reported no errors (yeah, I should have known better...).
That didn't solve my main problem tho. I'm thinking of returning the new RAM modules, ordering 2 sticks of 2GB each, and selling my original 2GB (thus running 4GB on the first channels).
If that doesn't do it I don't know what will...
Any thoughts on this?

Everyone:
Another funny thing:
I spoke to the ASUS support, and they told me to send an email through a form on their site with the problem description since they don't offer support on MB's over the phone. I tried, but the form was broken (I tried in both firefox and IE on two different computers). Talked to them on the phone again and asked if I could send a normal email to them. Nope, that was not possible. I then asked if I should send him a screenshot of the error, and that was ok. Go figure...