MS 2003 Server (32-bit)
 

Matt L told me that a 32-bit OS could address more than 4 GB of RAM.

So I said how about all of these magazine articles for the past 10 years.

Matt said go try 2003 Server (32-bit).

The darn thing is seeing all 8 GB of RAM.

Can I disable all of the server features and use this OS like it was XP (32-bit) only with more ram? I have no interest (at least I think I don't) in running it as a server. Does it have any improvements over XP as a stand-alone box? Is it missing any features that are present in XP?

Thanks.

Strange I run a 2003 Server, as a server, and it tops at 4gig.

You can run it as a desktop OS, pricey, but some do it.
Google it.

Drivers can be an issue, some programs won't run on server ie diskeeper unless you get the server version.

I don't know why, I'm just seeing what it can do.

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I couldn't PM Matt so here's my response:

I'm just playing but it does 'gall me' that I now can run a 32-bit XP and access all of the RAM.

I'm not an IT guy (though I do hack away) and I'll probably continue with W7 (64-bit) and an occasional linux.

http://www.msfn.org/win2k3/

Thanks for the input.

Meant to post this a while back.
While my desktop has 8gig, my laptop 6 both running Win7 x64(Pro), I've rarely seen either even come close to pushing the RAM.
I do open a lot of windows, 8 or 10, and some heavy weight programs but it really doesn't use much ram.
So the push to throw gobs of ram at it seem useless except for maybe those few that do heavy video editting, maybe big cad drawing.


3 or 4 gig seems to be the max I can use.

Although I understand the 'need', my main server has 16gig, 12.1 tb of disk (17 drives) with another 2 coming soon.

Sure.

You know a kid and his toy.

Also I've been telling people for years that 32-bit - 4 GB limit.

Now I find I'm wrong.

I run 8 GB on my W7 (x64) and it's just right. Multiple virtual machines, multiple desktops, etc.

I've exceeded 4 GB in use but don't think I've hit 6 GB.

.

Her is a good overview of the memory limits for Windows.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

It is possible that your OS sees more than in can address, the rest can be uses as a page file.

Rob