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mandriva 2008.0 not using all 3GB of memory


Guest kask
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Hello, I am using Mandriva 2008.0 and am generally pleased with it...

I just realized that only 1GB of my 3GB of memory are being used!

 

=> more /proc/meminfo

MemTotal: 905800 kB

...

 

Does anyone have any ideas?

Do I need to install a special kernel or something?

 

Thanks for any help you can give.

 

 

[moved from Software by spinynorman - welcome aboard :)]

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Kask you certainly are not using the correct kernel. You only need to read the kernel titles and they TELL you what kernels are for up to 1Gb and what kernels are for up to 4Gb.

It really is quite simple.

The same goes for a poster in another thread that had 5Gb of memory but the system said only 4Gb existed.

 

Cheers. John.

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Things and kernels have changed but the problem is the same.

It probably comes from a ONE installation, the ONE kernel needing to support a wide range of hardware some optimisation are disabled like high memory support.

 

So a kernel-desktop or kernel-laptop will support high mem (from 1 Go up), but kernel-desktop586 will not.

 

$ urpmq kernel-desktop586-2.6.24-0.rc6.2mdv -i
Name		: kernel-desktop586-2.6.24-0.rc6.2mdv
Version	 : 1
Release	 : 1mdv2008.1
Group	   : System/Kernel and hardware
Size		: 25395033					 Architecture: i586
Source RPM  : kernel-2.6.24-0.rc6.2mdv2008.1.src.rpm   Build Host: build1.conectiva
URL		 : [url="http://www.kernel.org/"]http://www.kernel.org/[/url]
Summary	 : Linux kernel for desktop use with i586 & 1GB RAM
Description :
The kernel package contains the Linux kernel (vmlinuz), the core of your
Mandriva Linux operating system.  The kernel handles the basic functions
of the operating system:  memory allocation, process allocation, device
input and output, etc. This kernel is compiled for desktop use, single or
multiple i586 processor(s)/core(s) and less than 1GB RAM (usually 870-900MB
detected)[/, using voluntary preempt, CFS cpu scheduler and cfq i/o scheduler.
This kernel relies on in-kernel smp alternatives to switch between up & smp
mode depending on detected hardware. To force the kernel to boot in single
processor mode, use the "nosmp" boot parameter.

For instructions for update, see:
[url="http://www.mandriva.com/en/security/kernelupdate"]http://www.mandriva.com/en/security/kernelupdate[/url]

 

$ urpmq kernel-desktop-2.6.24-0.rc6.2mdv -i
Name		: kernel-desktop-2.6.24-0.rc6.2mdv
Version	 : 1
Release	 : 1mdv2008.1
Group	   : System/Kernel and hardware
Size		: 25390244					 Architecture: i586
Source RPM  : kernel-2.6.24-0.rc6.2mdv2008.1.src.rpm   Build Host: build1.conectiva
URL		 : [url="http://www.kernel.org/"]http://www.kernel.org/[/url]
Summary	 : Linux Kernel for desktop use with i686 & 4GB RAM
Description :
The kernel package contains the Linux kernel (vmlinuz), the core of your
Mandriva Linux operating system.  The kernel handles the basic functions
of the operating system:  memory allocation, process allocation, device
input and output, etc. This kernel is compiled for desktop use, single or
multiple i686 processor(s)/core(s) and less than 4GB RAM[/, using HZ_1000,
voluntary preempt, CFS cpu scheduler and cfq i/o scheduler.
This kernel relies on in-kernel smp alternatives to switch between up & smp
mode depending on detected hardware. To force the kernel to boot in single
processor mode, use the "nosmp" boot parameter.

For instructions for update, see:
[url="http://www.mandriva.com/en/security/kernelupdate"]http://www.mandriva.com/en/security/kernelupdate[/url]

$ urpmq kernel-laptop-2.6.24-0.rc6.2mdv -i
Name		: kernel-laptop-2.6.24-0.rc6.2mdv
Version	 : 1
Release	 : 1mdv2008.1
Group	   : System/Kernel and hardware
Size		: 23951586					 Architecture: i586
Source RPM  : kernel-2.6.24-0.rc6.2mdv2008.1.src.rpm   Build Host: build1.conectiva
URL		 : [url="http://www.kernel.org/"]http://www.kernel.org/[/url]
Summary	 : Linux kernel for improved laptop battery runtime with i686 & 4GB RAM
Description :
The kernel package contains the Linux kernel (vmlinuz), the core of your
Mandriva Linux operating system.  The kernel handles the basic functions
of the operating system:  memory allocation, process allocation, device
input and output, etc. This kernel is compiled for laptop use, targeting
users that wants prolonged battery life. If you want to sacrifice
battery life for performance / responsiveness, you better use the
kernel-desktop.
It supports single or multiple i686 processor(s)/core(s) and less than
4GB RAM[/, using HZ_300 instead of HZ_1000 as a compromise to save
battery, no preempt, CFS cpu scheduler, cfq i/o scheduler and some other
laptop-specific optimizations.
This kernel relies on in-kernel smp alternatives to switch between up & smp
mode depending on detected hardware. To force the kernel to boot in single
processor mode, use the "nosmp" boot parameter.

Edited by imr
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Kask you certainly are not using the correct kernel. You only need to read[/ the kernel titles and they TELL[/ you what kernels are for up to 1Gb and what kernels are for up to 4Gb.

It really is quite simple.

Nope, they don't anymore and things werent that simple with that old naming either.

 

 

The same goes for a poster in another thread that had 5Gb of memory but the system said only 4Gb existed.

He would need the kernel-server then, now. Not terribly explicit either.

 

$ urpmq kernel-server-2.6.24-0.rc6.2mdv -i
Name		: kernel-server-2.6.24-0.rc6.2mdv
Version	 : 1
Release	 : 1mdv2008.1
Group	   : System/Kernel and hardware
Size		: 25476179					 Architecture: i586
Source RPM  : kernel-2.6.24-0.rc6.2mdv2008.1.src.rpm   Build Host: build1.conectiva
URL		 : http://www.kernel.org/
Summary	 : Linux Kernel for server use with i686 & 64GB RAM
Description :
The kernel package contains the Linux kernel (vmlinuz), the core of your
Mandriva Linux operating system.  The kernel handles the basic functions[
of the operating system:  memory allocation, process allocation, device
input and output, etc. This kernel is compiled for server use, single or
multiple i686 processor(s)/core(s) and up to 64GB RAM[/ using PAE, using
no preempt, HZ_100, CFS cpu scheduler and cfq i/o scheduler.
This kernel relies on in-kernel smp alternatives to switch between up & smp
mode depending on detected hardware. To force the kernel to boot in single
processor mode, use the "nosmp" boot parameter.

Edited by imr
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Thank you for all your replies...

the problem was indeed the kernel (like you all say).

 

I found the guide at this place useful.

 

I used the kernel-desktop kernel and everything is how it should be.

It is a shame that the installer can't choose the appropriate kernel form me!

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Imr, please have a look at the attached snapshot and tell me again that I didn't know what I was talking about.

 

Cheers. John.

 

Could a Mod. or Admin. please help by removing the second unnecessary second snapshot added in error.

I can't find a way to remove it. JB

 

I thanks you a lot. JB.

Edited by AussieJohn
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Imr, please have a look at the attached snapshot and tell me again that I didn't know what I was talking about.

I didnt say that you don't know what you're talking about, I said the title don't say anymore what kernel is for 1Go and what kernel is for more.

You never said to look into the Software Manager, so I assumed you were talking about the kernel names since that was what Adam's post cited in reference was talking about, because before that there was a kernel whose name was -i686-up-4GB .

So you were right and you know what you're talking about, you just forgot to tell where were those infos you were talking about. :P

 

To summarise this whole thread:

infos about the kernels are available

-on the release notes which should be read before installing, along with the erratas

-in the packages where they can be accessed through the Software Manager and through the command line (urpmq -i )

-on the mandriva community wiki

There is not a sophisticated AI that takes care of kernel needs, usage and possible problems for you, so people need to rely on one of those tools to learn to manage them. :P

Edited by imr
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On 32 bit systems, i686-up-4GB wouldn't be enough, since it would only allow up to 4GB. If it's up to 64GB, then it will allow you to see the full 4GB of ram. Of course, if you have 3GB of ram, then the 4GB will be OK. I have 4GB and using a 4GB kernel, only allows me to see 3GB. If I use a 64bit distro, then I see the full 4GB.

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  • 2 months later...
Guest d4v1dv00

I am facing this problem also. Already installed MandrivaOne 2008.0 using kernel-server but still sees 3.5GB of my physical 4GB RAMs. If I were to UPGRADE to x64 using FreeCD, does it possible?

 

My hardware also includes nVidia GeForce 8600 graphic card and Intel Pro/Wireless 3945ABG card, support of these 2 cars possible using Mandriva Free distro?

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Didn even realise I wasn't addressing 2 meg until I read this board, but fixed it easily thanks to info here. Is there any point in installing a 64-bit version? I think my old P3 866 is technically a 64 bit but only has 256M of RAM and is running 2007 Spring Free. My other machine is a core 2 duo 4300 1.8Mhz with 2Gb running 2008 Free, joined by a wired LAN and switch box. Any advice (including where to get the 64-bit version)?

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No, your PIII isn't a 64-bit CPU, or a CPU complying to the EM64T standard. Compatible are Itaniums, second generation P IV's, Prescotts and newer Intel desktop CPU's.

Even if it were and you were able to install, going 64-bit with old hardware, designed with 32-bit in mind, and just 256M RAM would completely cripple the system performance.

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