Linux Server not using all available memory

[ChrisH]

One of my linux server only seems to be seeing 250 meg when in reality in has 2 gig. How do I fix this? Kernel configuration?

tia

Chris

ps Debian etch on a Dell 830 with a dual core proc

[Geoff]

Your bios is broken. Flash it.

[ChrisH]

Hmm not the answer I was expecting but I will try it. Im pretty sure it was fine when server 2003 was on it.

[Geoff]

Also which kernel version are you using?

[ChrisH]

I have fixed this issue with a little help from dell. Updating the BIOS and using the bigmem kernel did not help. In the end it was the setting in the bios "OS install mode" that was the culprit. Because it was turned on it was limiting it to 256!!! I mean wtf is that all about. Anyway its fixed now. The reason I didnt have any trouble with the other 2 servers is one is an IBM and one is home made rackmount based on a gigabyte board .....

[Ric_]

@ChrisH: What have I told you about using these Dell servers :P

[ChrisH]

@ChrisH: What have I told you about using these Dell servers :P

Shush you!

[Geoff]

In the end it was the setting in the bios "OS install mode" that was the culprit. Because it was turned on it was limiting it to 256!!! I mean wtf is that all about.

Ah yeah, forgot about that feature on Dells.

Some operating systems can't install if the total amount of ram is over 2 or 4Gb. That's why Dell servers have a mode where the bios can limit the amount of ram on the install to 256mb. It's basically for lazy people so they don't have to remove the extra ram manually.