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Thread: windows RAM tweak

  1. #1
    Senior Member z80's Avatar
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    Default windows RAM tweak

    Had this interesting document emailed to me:-




    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++=
    Ways to break through Windows' RAM ceiling

    Fortunately, there are techniques you can use to get around Windows' system-memory limitations. One method is to use Physical Address Extension (PAE), a feature of x86 processors that lets 32-bit operating systems overcome the 4GB memory limit.

    Another MSDN article explains that 32-bit Windows operating systems support PAE. Even though XP and Vista still cling to the 4GB limit with PAE enabled, the feature may help you get back some of your unused RAM.

    In one or two rare cases, a developer may take advantage of PAE technology to get around the usual Windows limits. For example, reader Alan Gorski reports that when he increased a computer to 8GB, the program AutoCAD was able to open large drawing files without generating the "out of memory" errors he previously had seen. As Gorski notes, "AutoCAD has long used special memory management techniques since the DOS days to maximize use of available RAM."

    There's a good chance your system is already using PAE. That's because Windows relies on the technology to support the security feature known as Data Execution Prevention (DEP). For more information about Windows and DEP, see my Top Story in the May 3, 2007, issue.

    If a computer supports hardware-enforced DEP, then PAE is enabled as well. Here's how to check for it in Windows XP:


    Step 1. Choose Start, Run.

    Step 2. Type sysdm.cpl and press Enter.

    Step 3. Click the Advanced tab. In the Performance box, click Settings and choose the Data Execution Prevention tab.

    Step 4. Look for a status message at the bottom of the dialog box. If it indicates that your hardware does not support DEP, chances are PAE is not enabled.

    To check your system's PAE status in Vista, do the following:

    Step 1. Press Win+R to open the Run dialog box.

    Step 2. Type SystemPropertiesDataExecutionPrevention and press Enter.

    Step 3. If prompted by User Account Control, click Continue.

    Step 4. If the status message at the bottom of the dialog box says your system supports DEP and the "Turn on" button is selected, then PAE is enabled as well.

    If PAE is not already enabled on your system, here's how to activate it in Windows XP:

    Step 1. Choose Start, Run.

    Step 2. Type notepad c:\boot.ini and press Enter.

    Step 3. Under the [operating systems] heading, look for a line that contains the /noexecute switch, which turns software DEP. For example, it may be /noexecute=optin, /noexecute=optout, or /noexecute=always on. Place the cursor directly after that switch and type a space followed by /pae. Save the file and reboot.

    If you don't have DEP enabled on Vista (or you don't want it enabled), you can still activate PAE by following these steps:

    Step 1. Click Start, type cmd.exe and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter.

    Step 2. If prompted by User Account Control, click Continue. This opens a command prompt window with administrator privileges.

    Step 3. At the prompt, type BCDEdit /set PAE ForceEnable and press Enter.
    You can read more about PAE in this post on Microsoft's TechNet site.

    Microsoft warns in another TechNet article that some drivers will not load if PAE is enabled. After you make this change, keep an eye on your system. If you have problems with drivers or your system starts acting up, remove the /pae switch from boot.ini in XP, or enter the following command line in an administrator command prompt in Vista:

    BCDEdit /set PAE ForceDisable

    For more information on the switches and settings related to PAE, consult this MSDN paper, "Boot Parameters to Configure DEP and PAE."



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    nice post z80 - getting a few high spec'd machines @ work so this will come in handy since they are still using 32bit. ta mate

  • #3
    Junior Member aZz's Avatar
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    Just tried it on xp32 everything went cool then fired up gtaiv and the graphics went like bad tv reception very odd .All back to normal i guess but worth a bash.

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