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    Ubuntu 4GB RAM

    Discussion in 'Linux Compatibility and Software' started by uv2008, Jan 22, 2009.

  1. uv2008

    uv2008 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello,

    I have a dual boot on my Dell Studio 17 laptop - Ubuntu 8.10 and Vista. I have 4GB RAM, and when checking the amount of memory I have using Ubuntu then it shows as if I have only 3GB RAM. When checking memory on Vista it does show the full 4GB memory. Any idea if there's a way to get Ubuntu recognise all memory?
     
    uv2008, Jan 22, 2009
    #1
  2. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

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    Are you using a 64 bit version of Ubuntu? If not try that.
     
    The Fire Snake, Jan 22, 2009
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  3. uv2008

    uv2008 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for your reply. I'm using the 32 bit version, I never thought it's going to be a problem.
     
    uv2008, Jan 22, 2009
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  4. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

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    Any 32 bit OS will be unable to address 4GB of memory. This includes Vista. Vista will recognize it's presence but not utilize it.
     
    Hep!, Jan 22, 2009
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  5. Dire NTropy

    Dire NTropy Notebook Deity

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    By nature a 32-bit OS can only recognize 2^32 bits :)

    A 64-bit OS will not be limited by the OS as 2^64 is gargantuan and is instead bottlenecked by other things.
     
    Dire NTropy, Jan 22, 2009
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  6. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

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    No problem. As I hinted and others said, the 32 bit version of an OS will only be able to see a max of like ~3.2 GB of Ram. The 64 bit version of an OS will allow you to see the full 4GB of ram. I am using Ubuntu 8.10 64 bit and it is wonderful. Works really really well on my Thinkpad T61p. Check out Ubuntu x64(aka amd64 version). It works basically the same and I don't think you will have any problems. Burn the live CD first and try it that way first, if you are scared.
     
    The Fire Snake, Jan 22, 2009
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  7. vixensjlin

    vixensjlin Newbie

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    http://www.phryxus.net/projects/4gbubuntu.html
    Yes, accessing more than 4GB under 32-bit Linux is possible as usual.

    $ sudo apt-get update
    $ sudo sudo apt-get install linux-headers-server linux-image-server linux-server

    Restart and boot with server kernel, enjoy!

    PS. If you use Nvidia driver, you may need to recompile module manually, to do this, please

    $ sudo apt-get install build-essential linux-source-2.6.28
    (please replace the 2.6.28 with your server kernel version number)

    Go to get driver from Nvidia and run it.
    http://www.nvidia.com/Download/Find.aspx?lang=en-us

    $ sudo sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-169.04-pkg1.run

    restart and enjoy the world of >4GB!
     
    vixensjlin, Sep 5, 2009
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  8. Th3_uN1Qu3

    Th3_uN1Qu3 Notebook Deity

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    Accessing more than 3.something GB of memory is possible under Windows too, and available since Server 2003. ;) The 32-bit edition of Windows Server 2003 supports 32GB RAM. It is all made possible with the PAE (Physical Address Extension) technology.

    However you will be better with 64-bit in the long run, so why not upgrade to that now?
     
    Th3_uN1Qu3, Sep 5, 2009
    #8