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| = PAE, Physical Address Extension = | = What is PAE? = |
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| [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_Address_Extension|Physical Address Extension]] is a technology which allows 32 bit operating systems to use up to 64 Gb of memory (RAM), something which is normally achieved by switching to a 64 bit system. PAE is supported on the majority of computers today and it is an easy procedure to enable it in Ubuntu, if it is not already. To check if your processor supports PAE, try: {{{ grep --color=always -i PAE /proc/cpuinfo }}} |
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| === A guide for getting computers with older Pentium M and Celeron M processors to work with the latest Lubuntu === | In general, a proper 64 bit system is recommended if you have 4 Gb or more memory and/or want to get the full benefit of the 64 bit architecture (see [[https://help.ubuntu.com/community/32bit_and_64bit|32bit_and_64bit]]), but in some cases making a complete switch to 64 bit is not desirable, and using PAE can be a viable compromise. |
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| It should be noted that there is no "Virtual Address Extension." i.e. The applications still get the same amount of virtual memory since the virtual addresses are still 32 bits while the physical addresses are 36 bits. Therefore PAE is not at all equivalent to a 64 bit system. | |
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| = Forcing PAE support on Pentium M processors = | |
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| Many Pentium M processors have PAE support, but do not announce it by default. Starting with 14.04, the user can manually force to add the PAE flag to the processor information, enabling the use of these processors with newer Ubuntu versions. | |
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| ----- === Summary === If you encounter an error related to PAE while installing Lubuntu 14.04 the solution is as follows: |
'''Instructions on installing and upgrading these systems can be found at [[PAE/PentiumM]].''' |
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| At the boot menu screen the options are | = Enabling the PAE kernel on older releases = |
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| * Install * Command-line options * Advanced options * Help |
'''Starting with Ubuntu 12.10, the generic default kernel already has PAE support enabled.''' For more information, please see the [[https://wiki.ubuntu.com/QuantalQuetzal/TechnicalOverview/Alpha1#Linux_kernel_3.4|12.10 alpha 1 technical overview]], and the [[https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel/2012-May/035176.html|announcement]] by the Ubuntu Technical Board. |
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| With the cursor on the top choice press F6. A menu with a number of options appear. The option 'forcepae' is not there, so press Escape to close the list. Now a string of options is visible, often with 'quiet' or 'quiet splash --' at the end. Add 'forcepae' to the string after the two dashes. Press return, and the installation begins. The warning about forcepae being experimental does not matter for Pentium M or Celeron M processors. {{attachment:forcepaeubuntu-boot.jpg}} If everything appears to work you don't have to read further. Technical note: After booting, "dmesg | grep -i pae" will now show "PAE forced!". You can use this as a check. ----- === Details === [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_Address_Extension | Physical Address Extension]] (PAE) is a feature found on almost all 32 bit processors produced after Pentium Pro, ie. younger than around 1995. Because PAE is close to being a standard it is now a requirement for Ubuntu: During installation the processor is prompted for the PAE flag, and only if present the process will carry on. Lubuntu and Xubuntu offered a PAE and a non-PAE release up to and including 12.04, but from 12.10 only the PAE releases are maintained. A number of older [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Pentium_M_microprocessors | Pentium M]] processors produced around 2003-4 (the Banias family) do not display the PAE flag, and hence a normal installation fails. However, these processors are in fact able to run the latest (and PAE-demanding) kernels if only the installation process is modified a little. The problem is not missing PAE, it's about the processor not displaying its full capabilities. Pentium M's of the Dothan family display the PAE flag correctly and support the latest Buntus without modifications. The same distinction (Banias versus Dothan) goes for the lower performing [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celeron_M#Pentium_M-based_Mobile_Celerons | Celeron M]] processors. In spite of their age many of the affected computers (IBM Thinkpads and Dell Latitudes, for example) are suitable for today's use if given a light distro like Xubuntu or Lubuntu; among other advantages they have a low power consumption. This guide describes a workaround for installing the latest Lubuntu and bringing them back to life - actually the guide is usable for any member of the Ubuntu family, but because we are dealing with old hardware we focus on Lubuntu. For 14.04 a boot option has been added which makes the install straightforward, as can be seen at the top of the page. General note: If the installation is failing, '''are you sure the problem is related to PAE?''' A lot of misunderstandings flourish, and lack of PAE support is too often blamed when an installation on old hardware fails. Only if you get the error '''kernel requires features not present on the CPU: PAE''' or similar this guide comes into play. ---- Now we know that the problem is in fact related to the PAE flag. This gives several options: A. Install 14.04 as described at the top of the page. For most users this is the easiest and best solution. B. If for some reason the computer does not run 14.04 a number of 12.04-based distros are available: Install [[http://xubuntu.org/getxubuntu/ | Xubuntu 12.04]], which is supported through april 2015, [[http://torios.org/ | ToriOS]], which is NON-PAE by default and super lightweight (still under development), [[http://www.nos.net.nz/ | nOS]] With support until april 2017 or [[http://www.bodhilinux.com/ | Bodhi Linux]] with support through 2017, [[http://www.lxle.net/download|LXLE 32-bit Revisited alias 12.04.5]] with support until april 2017. Lubuntu 12.04 is out of support and should not be used. C. Move the hard disk to a computer on which the processor has PAE capability and PAE flag (that is, almost everything else than a Banias). Install the system as usual but don't add restricted drivers. After the install move the disk back. D. If you are handy with hardware and you can get your hands on a Dothan-class Intel Pentium M CPU with a 400MHz front-side bus, replace the non-PAE Banias CPU with a Dothan. Dothans with 400MHz FSB are marked Pentium 7x5, i.e. 715, 725, 735, 745, 755 and 765. |
For older releases, refer to [[PAE/Enabling]]. |
What is PAE?
Physical Address Extension is a technology which allows 32 bit operating systems to use up to 64 Gb of memory (RAM), something which is normally achieved by switching to a 64 bit system. PAE is supported on the majority of computers today and it is an easy procedure to enable it in Ubuntu, if it is not already. To check if your processor supports PAE, try:
grep --color=always -i PAE /proc/cpuinfo
In general, a proper 64 bit system is recommended if you have 4 Gb or more memory and/or want to get the full benefit of the 64 bit architecture (see 32bit_and_64bit), but in some cases making a complete switch to 64 bit is not desirable, and using PAE can be a viable compromise.
It should be noted that there is no "Virtual Address Extension." i.e. The applications still get the same amount of virtual memory since the virtual addresses are still 32 bits while the physical addresses are 36 bits. Therefore PAE is not at all equivalent to a 64 bit system.
Forcing PAE support on Pentium M processors
Many Pentium M processors have PAE support, but do not announce it by default. Starting with 14.04, the user can manually force to add the PAE flag to the processor information, enabling the use of these processors with newer Ubuntu versions.
Instructions on installing and upgrading these systems can be found at PAE/PentiumM.
Enabling the PAE kernel on older releases
Starting with Ubuntu 12.10, the generic default kernel already has PAE support enabled. For more information, please see the 12.10 alpha 1 technical overview, and the announcement by the Ubuntu Technical Board.
For older releases, refer to PAE/Enabling.