FIX: Not all memory is available when AWE is enabled on a computer that is running a 32-bit version of SQL Server 2000 SP4 (899761)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Developer Edition
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2000 (all editions) SP4
Bug #: 474343 (SQL Server 8.0)
Microsoft distributes Microsoft SQL Server 2000 fixes as one downloadable file. Because the fixes are cumulative, each new release contains all the hotfixes and all the security fixes that were included with the previous SQL Server 2000 fix release.

SUMMARY

This article describes the following about this hotfix release:
  • The issues that are fixed by this hotfix package
  • The prerequisites for installing the hotfix package
  • Whether you must restart the computer after you install the hotfix package
  • Whether the hotfix package is replaced by any other hotfix package
  • Whether you must make any registry changes
  • The files that are contained in the hotfix package

SYMPTOMS

If Address Windowing Extentions (AWE) support is enabled, a single instance of SQL Server 2000 can only use a maximum of 50 percent of the physical memory that is on the computer.

Note This problem only occurs on 32-bit versions of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4 that are running on either an x86-based computer or on an x64-based computer.

For example, if you have a computer that has 16 GB of RAM and AWE is enabled, a single instance of SQL Server 2000 can only access 8 GB of RAM.

To determine whether AWE is enabled, run the following script from SQL Query Analyzer:
sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1
go
reconfigure
go
sp_configure 'awe enabled'
go
If run_value is set to 1, AWE is enabled on the server.

To view the behavior, examine the SQL Server: Memory Manager/Total Server Memory (KB) counter in System Monitor. On a computer that is running SQL Server Service Pack 3 (SP3), this value may be up to the amount of physical memory that is on the computer. On a computer that is running SQL Server SP4, this value will never be more than 50 percent of the physical memory.

Notes
  • This behavior only occurs on computers that have more than 2 GB of RAM.
  • If you use AWE memory and you have set the value of the max server memory option to less than 50 percent of physical memory, you will not be affected by this bug.
  • AWE is not available on all versions of SQL Server 2000. For example, AWE is not available for MSDE, SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition, SQL Server 2000 Personal edition, or installations of only the SQL Server 2000 Tools.
  • If you are running SQL Server 2000 SP4 on an IA-64-bit system, you will not be affected by this bug.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because the total number of usable buffer pages was based on an incorrect comparison of the number of SQL pages (8 KB) and system pages (4 KB). The problem does not occur on IA-64-bit systems because the code that makes this comparison is not executed.

RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

To obtain this hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=7C407047-3F1F-48B8-9E4C-DC32875E1961

Important Only one download exists for both x64-based computers and x86-based computers. This hotfix uses installer technology that will determine the platform and will install the correct files.

Prerequisites

SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4.

To obtain SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2000/downloads/default.mspx

Restart information

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Registry information

You do not have to change the registry.

Hotfix file information

This hotfix contains only those files that are required to correct the issues that this article lists. This hotfix may not contain of all the files that you must have to fully update a product to the latest build.

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.SQL Server 2000 32-bit versions for x86-based computers
   Date         Time   Version         Size       File name
   -----------------------------------------------------------
   14-May-2005  01:11  2000.80.2040.0  9,150,464  Sqlservr.exe
SQL Server 2000 32-bit versions for x64-based computers
   Date         Time   Version         Size       File name     Platform
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   14-May-2005  01:11  2000.80.2040.0  9,150,464  Sqlservr.exe  x86
Note Because of file dependencies, the most recent hotfix or feature that contains these files may also contain additional files.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about AWE, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

274750 How to configure SQL Server to use more than 2 GB of physical memory

For more information about the naming schema for Microsoft SQL Server updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

822499 New naming schema for Microsoft SQL Server software update packages


For more information about the terminology that Microsoft uses when it corrects software after it is released, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/15/2006
Keywords:kbfix kbpending kbHotfixServer kbQFE KB899761 kbAudITPRO kbAudDeveloper
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