Technically, all modern Windows versions have PAE enabled (the NX bit requires enabling PAE for instance), but Windows adds license-based memory restrictions on top of that.

That's how the 2GB limit on Starter, the 4GB limit on non-server and the various limits on server editions are implemented.

And there is a kernel hack/patch to lift that restriction, although it is of course fully unsupported: http://superuser.com/questions/52275/how-can-i-enable-pae-on...

Thanks for the info. It's sad that I out my employer will allow it.

would employer allow a linux install then XP in a VM or several? All problems solved then.