Added 4GB on memory to Fedora 10 only 3GB available

[mramseysr]

I am new to Linux and I recently installed Fedora 10 on a Dell Dimension 4600 (32bit) which I had hanging around. When I built Fedora from DVD, I only has 1.5GB of RAM in the computer and decided to upgrade to 4GB. After installing the memory and verifying it in the BIOS, I noticed that Fedora is only seeing 3GB. Can someone tell me what I need to do to get Fedora to see all 4GB of memory. I am new to Linux so please explain in detail if possible. Thanks in Advance.

[SuperNu]

Install the PAE version of the kernel.

--SN

[mramseysr]

Are there any directions on how to do that in help or online? I am a windows guy trying to learn Linux.

[mramseysr]

OK I installed the PAE version of the kernel using the following command:

yum install kernel-PAE

then rebooted with shutdown -r now. When Fedora came back up it still only sees 3GB. Is there a config file that needs to be edited to enable the kernel? How do I verify what kernel is running?

--MR

are you sure you goit the correct PAE Kernel for your Arch?

[mramseysr]

I am not sure. I had the DVD in the drive and I assume that is where it pulled it from. Is there a way I can verify that? I am new to Linux so I am not quite sure.

[Sauron]

It's not likely showing the wrong amount of RAM, but showing what's usable after deductions from space sucked up by PCI, BIOS shadowing, video RAM, etc etc etc. Usually with 4gb ram installed you get between 3.2 and 3.5, but with 2 768MB video cards in SLI you can get down to 2...

to figure out if you booted PAE type "uname -a" and look at the kernel name. It should have PAE in it.

did you just do the Fedora10 installation? if so have you tried updating?

[mramseysr]

I did a uname -r and this is what it returned:

2.6.27.9-159.fc10.i686

I do not see PAE anywhere. Should I?

[Sauron]

yea, you should. look at /boot/grub/grub.conf and see if the PAE kernel is listed there. It should have shown up in the menu when you booted after installing it.

[mramseysr]

I downloaded the install a week ago from the Fedora site. I applied and downloaded updates yesterday. As far as the amount showing it is exactly 3GB which is strange. I would be fine if it showed over or under but not exactly 3GB. Thanks again for everyone's help.



I did already look there and it is referenced in there with the PAE however I do not get a boot menu. It just goes directly into Fedora. How can I enable the boot menu. I assume that would be a setting in the /boot/grub/grub.conf file.

[mramseysr]

Here is the grub.conf file

# grub.conf generated by anaconda
#
# Note that you do not have to rerun grub after making changes to this file
# NOTICE: You have a /boot partition. This means that
# all kernel and initrd paths are relative to /boot/, eg.
# root (hd0,0)
# kernel /vmlinuz-version ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00
# initrd /initrd-version.img
#boot=/dev/sda
default=1
timeout=0
splashimage=(hd0,0)/grub/splash.xpm.gz
hiddenmenu
title Fedora (2.6.27.9-159.fc10.i686.PAE)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.27.9-159.fc10.i686.PAE ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00 rhgb quiet
initrd /initrd-2.6.27.9-159.fc10.i686.PAE.img
title Fedora (2.6.27.9-159.fc10.i686)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.27.9-159.fc10.i686 ro root=UUID=2cf5253d-0015-4aa9-bd10-79aff0aec478 rhgb quiet
initrd /initrd-2.6.27.9-159.fc10.i686.img

[mramseysr]

I finally got the PAE kernel to load but it still only 3GB.

[ozjd]

The PAE kernel should work but your other alternative is to use the 64 bit version. Of course that will mean downloading and installing all over again.

[DigitalDuality]

can we also see the output of df -h ?