Topic Last Modified: 2005-11-18

The Microsoft® Exchange Server Analyzer Tool queries the Win32_ComputerSystem Microsoft Windows® Management Instrumentation (WMI) class to determine which options are set in the SystemStartupOptions key. The Exchange Server Analyzer also queries the Win32_OperatingSystem WMI class to determine the value for the MaxProcessMemorySize key.

If the Exchange Server Analyzer finds that the value for the SystemStartupOptions key includes /PAE, the Win32_OperatingSystem value indicates Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, and the value for MaxProcessMemorySize is greater than 2097024, an error is displayed.

This error indicates that the /PAE and /3GB startup switches have both been set in the Boot.ini file. Physical Address Extension (PAE) enables a computer to access more than 4 gigabytes (GB) of physical memory (RAM). Exchange Server does not support PAE. Exchange Server cannot use more than 4 GB of physical memory, and there is no benefit to installing more than 4 GB of RAM on a computer that is dedicated to running Exchange Server. PAE is enabled when the /PAE startup switch is present in the Boot.ini file on startup.

To correct this error for Windows 2000 Server only, it is recommended that you remove the /PAE switch from the Boot.ini file.

To correct this error

  1. In Windows Explorer, navigate to the System Partition. This is the partition that holds the hardware specific files such as Boot.ini and NTLDR.

  2. If you cannot see the Boot.ini file, it could be because the Folder Options are set to Hide protected operating system files. If this is the case, in the Windows Explorer window, click Tools, click Folder Options, and then click View. Click Show hidden files and folders. Clear the Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) check box. When prompted, click Yes.

  3. When the Boot.ini file is visible in Windows Explorer, right-click the file, click Open With, and then click Notepad to open the file.

  4. In the [Operating Systems] section, remove the /PAE switch.

  5. Save and close the file, and then restart the Exchange Server computer for the change to take effect.

For more information about the /PAE switch in Boot.ini, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base articles: