How much memory can Win9x utilize?

[cpujunky]

Simple Question: How much memory can Windows 9x use?

I thought I read somewhere that Win9x could only use up to 512MB or so, and that Windows 2000 Pro could use up to 2GB or something. I only ask beause i have 1GB of memory and wonder if Windows 98SE is using it all to its potential. Thanks.

 

[NickM]

I'l try a Simple Answer on your Simple Question:

In accordance with Microsoft documents, Win95 and all it's later updates (/98/Me) are designed and can utilize up to 4 GB of RAM.

But there's an 512MB issue also with Win9x, related to max. of 512 MB cache support, confirmed by Microsoft.

Windows 2000 Advanced Server supports up to 64 GB of RAM.
And as it was said, contention is reduced by an increase in maximum file system cache from 512 MB to 960 MB.

 

[jc14all]

Read this, it may answer your question.

<A HREF="http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q253/9/12.ASP?LN=EN-US&SD=gn&FR=0&qry=q253912&rnk=1&src=DHCS_MSPSS_gn_SRCH&SPR=W98SE" target="_new">http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q253/9/12.ASP?LN=EN-US&SD=gn&FR=0&qry=q253912&rnk=1&src=DHCS_MSPSS_gn_SRCH&SPR=W98SE</A>

JC-------<*){{{>{~~~~~
Fisher of men

 

[Morwing]

I'm using Win98SE and 512 MB RAM. In my opinion, memory amounts over 128 MB are of little difference in Win9X, since Windows doesn't use this amount of memory that effectively, it still swaps on HDD and such. But I quess that's just life =) I haven't even considered Win2k or XP or others... but Linux... but that's an other story

- Jan

AMD 1 GHz
MSI K7T Pro 2
512 MB RAM
GF2MX
SBLive! 1024
Win98SE/ Mandrake Linux 8.0

 

[Toejam31]

Have you set the ConservativeSwapFileUsage=1 line in the system.ini file, under the [386enh] section? Running 512MB of RAM here, with a 2MB swap file. Obviously, I'm not getting any paging.

And while the OS doesn't really utilize the memory that effectively past 256MB, many third-party programs can, and do. Like Photoshop.

I mention this, because if someone just has the OS on their machine, they really aren't getting much out of their computer experience. So when adding programs of this nature, adding additional memory is also a good idea. It just requires a few adjustments in the OS settings.

Would you like me to post a list of my preferred settings? It would be no problem. My installation is rock-solid, and does just fine with this much RAM.

By the way ... how do you like Linux? I've got a copy of Mandrake that I've been considering installing on a spare machine.

Toejam31

<font color=purple>My Rig:</font color=purple> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>

 

[camieabz]

Liekwis whith the 512MB & the system.ini alteration. System has no paging.

BTW. Thanks for that msconfig.exe for W2K. Its perfect.

<b><font color=blue>~scribble~</font color=blue></b>

 

[Toejam31]

You're very welcome. Glad that I could help!

Toejam31

<font color=purple>My Rig:</font color=purple> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>

 

[Morwing]

Nope, I didn't even know of such a switch. Hmm... Gots to try that one out. Thanks for the tip.

Yes, if it is of no trouble, I could use a hint how to tweak up my system performance. It could prove fun =) So if you would be so kind and post this hint...

Linux is... What can I tell you, I'm struggling with very basic stuff, like reading from a CD and that sorts of things, but it works. The stability advertised is better than in certain OS', but I've managed to crash it... If you got nothing to loose, then go for it. It's an experience. And these boards are perfect for asking questions You don't know if you don't try...

- Jan

AMD 1 GHz
MSI K7T Pro 2
512 MB RAM
GF2MX
SBLive! 1024
Win98SE/ Mandrake Linux 8.0

 

[Toejam31]

Okay ... here are the settings I prefer when running with 512MB of RAM in Win98SE:

System.ini file:

[386Enh]
MinPagingFileSize=2048
MaxPagingFileSize=2048
ConservativeSwapFileUsage=1
PageBuffers=32

As you can see, I've set the Swap File to 2MB. And this is done in the Performance Tab, not directly edited in the .ini file.

I also have an additional line in the same [386Enh] section;
DMABufferSize=64. However, the way to add this line ...

My Computer-Properties-Device Manager-System Devices-Direct Memory Access Controller-Properties-Settings-Reserve DMA Buffer-K byte setting to 64.

Next, in the [vcache] setting, I have this line directly underneath:

MaxFileCache=131072

This is due to memory caching allocations that might interfere with the <i>AGP</i> memory allocations if the file is too large. This should be no larger than a third of your physically-installed RAM. Personally, I think it's best when set as a <i>quarter</i> of the amount of your RAM.

Next: My Computer (Right-click)-Properties-Performance-File System-Typical Role Of This Computer-Network Server.

This is a nice performance boost.

More: Start-Run-MSCONFIG. Advanced-Advanced Troubleshooting Settings-Limit Memory to 512MB

This is a key setting if you want to avoid any of the out-of-memory errors that comes from the Win98 512MB RAM bug.

And because they are antiquated, unnecessary files (unless you have an Aureal Sound Card) no Config.sys, and no Autoexec.bat. 16 bit SoundBlaster emulation just isn't needed unless you like to run old DOS games, so turn it off, and lose these files. You'll get a much faster boot.

Finally ... if you don't need it, turn it off. MSCONFIG-Startup Tab. Keep the file that scans the Registry and Systray. Keep the mouse driver, and anything pertaining to your antivirus program or firewall. Nearly everything else can be turned off. This makes a big difference in your available system resources, as well as also speeding up the boot.

Enjoy ... Toejam31


P.S. I nearly forgot ... the fastest way to get to the System.ini file is: Start-Run-sysedit.





<font color=purple>My Rig:</font color=purple> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>

 

[Morwing]

Thank yous, there's gonna be some tweaking tonight =)

- Jan

AMD 1 GHz
MSI K7T Pro 2
512 MB RAM
GF2MX
SBLive! 1024
Win98SE/ Mandrake Linux 8.0