In the bios there is a redundant memory slot setting. By default it is set to disabled. Setting it to enable allowed the server to boot properly and make all 4 slots available to the OS.
I am able to run Windows Server 2008 (x86) Enterprise with 8GB of ram.
Well, the DIMMS have to go in as pairs. I've already done swaps to test each pair independently, and they all work fine in the first two slots. In fact, I can put the 512k units in bank A and the 2GB units in bank B, or the other way around, and it works fine (5GB). It's only the 8GB config that doesn't work.
Units I have are 2048MB PC2100 ECC REG, so the correct spec for the system. And the OS is indeed 2008 Enterprise, so it should address that much RAM.
Already tried clearing NVRAM...no joy. Almost wondering if PAE in Windows has anything to do with it, but it works with 5GB (already above the PAE limit) so that seems doubtful.
Does each DIMM work when installed by itself in the first slot (just to confirm they all work)?
Mind posting the specs of each 2GB DIMM?
You might try clearing the NVRAM using the jumpers on the motherboard.
Also, what version of 2008x86 are you using? ONLY Datacenter and Enterprise can use more than 4GB, and while having more will not usually cause the system not to boot (will usually show 8GB Installed/4GB Usable), it's possible that the OS interaction with the system doesn't know how to handle it.
Dell servers support single-DIMM configurations for troubleshooting, but if you have established the health of the DIMM's, then great.
I was going to mention PAE, but thought I'd see which version of Windows you were using ... I agree, if it is ok with 5GB, it should also be ok with 8GB, unless disabled and 5GB is within whatever coded support might exist but 8GB is just too much. You might double-check that it is enabled.
Other than that, based on what you have said, I'm not sure what else it could be. Did you also upgrade the ESM/BMC?
ESM was just updated to A37 (1.38, I think) and had no effect. What is BMC? If that's the backplane, it's at 1.08 (I think) and I don't believe there's a higher release. Any idea what that would be listed under in the drivers area?
Just checked...PAE is in ForceEnable mode, so it's not that. Checking for other driver updates, but it appears most of the other updaters won't run under 2008. Will need to put a copy of 2003 on a disk just to try this out. Any other ideas appreciated.
NowSol
2 Posts
0
December 5th, 2014 09:00
Hi, I had the same problem and have a solution.
In the bios there is a redundant memory slot setting. By default it is set to disabled. Setting it to enable allowed the server to boot properly and make all 4 slots available to the OS.
I am able to run Windows Server 2008 (x86) Enterprise with 8GB of ram.
Entil_Zha
4 Posts
0
October 18th, 2013 13:00
Well, the DIMMS have to go in as pairs. I've already done swaps to test each pair independently, and they all work fine in the first two slots. In fact, I can put the 512k units in bank A and the 2GB units in bank B, or the other way around, and it works fine (5GB). It's only the 8GB config that doesn't work.
Units I have are 2048MB PC2100 ECC REG, so the correct spec for the system. And the OS is indeed 2008 Enterprise, so it should address that much RAM.
Already tried clearing NVRAM...no joy. Almost wondering if PAE in Windows has anything to do with it, but it works with 5GB (already above the PAE limit) so that seems doubtful.
theflash1932
9 Legend
•
16.3K Posts
0
October 18th, 2013 13:00
Does each DIMM work when installed by itself in the first slot (just to confirm they all work)?
Mind posting the specs of each 2GB DIMM?
You might try clearing the NVRAM using the jumpers on the motherboard.
Also, what version of 2008x86 are you using? ONLY Datacenter and Enterprise can use more than 4GB, and while having more will not usually cause the system not to boot (will usually show 8GB Installed/4GB Usable), it's possible that the OS interaction with the system doesn't know how to handle it.
theflash1932
9 Legend
•
16.3K Posts
0
October 18th, 2013 14:00
Dell servers support single-DIMM configurations for troubleshooting, but if you have established the health of the DIMM's, then great.
I was going to mention PAE, but thought I'd see which version of Windows you were using ... I agree, if it is ok with 5GB, it should also be ok with 8GB, unless disabled and 5GB is within whatever coded support might exist but 8GB is just too much. You might double-check that it is enabled.
Other than that, based on what you have said, I'm not sure what else it could be. Did you also upgrade the ESM/BMC?
Entil_Zha
4 Posts
0
October 18th, 2013 15:00
I'll check PAE just to make sure.
ESM was just updated to A37 (1.38, I think) and had no effect. What is BMC? If that's the backplane, it's at 1.08 (I think) and I don't believe there's a higher release. Any idea what that would be listed under in the drivers area?
Very odd problem...
Entil_Zha
4 Posts
0
October 18th, 2013 21:00
Just checked...PAE is in ForceEnable mode, so it's not that. Checking for other driver updates, but it appears most of the other updaters won't run under 2008. Will need to put a copy of 2003 on a disk just to try this out. Any other ideas appreciated.
GordonRegar
4 Posts
0
October 24th, 2014 10:00
One could boot from a Fedora 20 Live DVD with the 8gb ram installed and see if that works.
(I had to borrow a DVD Drive from a PowerEdge 1950 Server as the 1750 had a CD drive)