1GB DDR RAM and Win 98SE

[caboob]

Is anyone running this combo? I have a stick of 512MB PC3200 Corsair and 512MB of PC3500 Corsair on an Asus P4PE. System boots but hangs when windows tries to load.

I have tried setting memory manually at 2.5-3-3-7 and the mem ratio at 1:1 but all I can do is get into safe mode. I heard there might be a problem with win98se handling memory over 512MB but wasnt sure if there might be a fix.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

 

[MichaelD]

IMO, if you actually NEED 1GB of ram, you should be running a real operating system like Windows 2000.

 

[caboob]

this is just my gaming system. no mission critical apps being run here. i was hoping that BF1942 would load faster if i increased RAM since i have this extra stick of PC3200 lying around. I also have a copy of winxp lyijng around as well but i was hoping to avoid using it.

 

[Markfw]

I don't have any links to the document, but I remember someone telling be that WIN98SE does not work properly with more than 512meg ram. If I had more time right now, I would look it up in the Microsoft knowledge base.

 

[Syborg1211]

Markfw900 is right. I don't remember the details to it either but I think there is something you have to change in win98 in the settings. I also know that once you do do that it won't have much if any performance gain because win98 cant manage memory efficiently...

 

[woodie1]

Here is a M$ article you should read.

 

[nightowl]

First, the extra memory will not make your games load any faster since you will be limited by your HD. How far does Windows get before it hangs? It sounds like this it not a problem with Windows since it is not loading entirely. Also, Win9x will work with more than 512MB of memory without the tweak. It probably will not run reliably but it should boot at least. Have you tested both of the sticks independently to make sure that they both work properly. Finally, if you are set on using 1GB of RAM and you do get it to work use Win2k or XP as they were designed to use large amounts of memory efficiently. Win9x was not.

 

[caboob]

thanks for all the input.

I am now resigned to installing winxp on another partition of my WD80SE drive. if it wont run reliably with 1GB as you say, it wont be worth having the extra RAM. In a little more detail, the machine boots and recognizes all my RAM at POST (if i go into the BIOS, allthe RAM is recognized as well) and then the Win98 splash screen comes up but then hangs after all the system devices are enumerated. so i guess its time to step up to a better OS.

should it matter if i use winxp home or pro?

 

[nightowl]

It will not matter if you use XP Home or Pro. Pro has extra features in it that you may find useful though, like Remote Desktop.

 

[Accord99]

Open System.ini in the Windows 98 home folder.

Under the [vcache] header, add the following line:

MaxFileCache= 524288

or any number under 524288.

 

[caboob]

please forgive my ignorance. what does it do?

 

[CraigRT]

your games would run ALOT better in 2000 or XP.
it might actually let you use that memory.
98 only actually supports 512, anything more requires tweaking just to work.

 

[Accord99]

Originally posted by: caboob
please forgive my ignorance. what does it do?

It limits the amount of memory that can be used as cache for Windows 98. The Windows 9x series has problems if the memory cache ever grows larger than 512MB, so by using this command, you can limit it below that problem level. Windows 98 will still use the whole 1GB for applications and stuff, it just won't ever let the memory cache grow beyond the set limit.

 

[Woodchuck2000]

Just install XP and be done with it... There really are no reasons to continue using 98 any more. XP will make better use of 1Gb of RAM than 98 will (in that it'll actually work )

 

[MichaelD]

The advice here is good to go. No offense, but Win98 is horrid...memory leaks, etc. You really should move to either WinXP or W2K....

 

[dzt]

XP or 2000, 98SE will be much troublesome.

 

[sharkeeper]

If you MUST use Win 9x, do the following:

Temporarily remove one stick of RAM. Boot with 512. Go to start>run>msconfig and select advanced. Limit Windows memory to 997MB. Shut down and put memory back in and reboot. Problem solved. I have the same problem when I need to load a 9x image to test something out. My worksatan has 4G. Personally, I'd rather chew a few Tylenols then use 9x...

Cheers!

 

[caboob]

that sounds like something simple to try while chewing tylenol...mmmm.

i'll let y'all know how it goes when i get home from work. will probably still install winxp home though just to see if BF1942 will run better with the gig of RAM.

 

[Viper GTS]

Use a real OS.

There are other issues too

Stick with 512 MB or less for 98, upgrade to XP or 2K if you need more.

Viper GTS

 

[Rankor]

I'll let you know now if it does run better with a Giga RAM.

For myself, I noticed a difference in the load times between 512 MB and 1GB. That's me, so your mileage may vary. But this was under WinXP Pro with a P4 2.53 and a GeForce4 Ti 4400.

 

[caboob]

sharkeeper and Accord99: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

sharkeepers' tip allowed me to get a "windows protection error" after the win98 splash screen which was farther than i had gotten before but accord99's tip of editing the system.ini file allowed me to boot into windows and write this note. i see that windows at least lets me have 997MB to play with. i'm now gonna try out bf1942 and then install winxp on a new partition. at least if i have to, i can boot into the win98 partition without having to rip out a stick of ram to do so.

Again, thanks a ton.

 

[Sid59]

perhaps win9x memory leaks is the reason he upped to 1 GIG. Instead of fixing the problems, he patched it with more RAM.

Get 2000 or XP, better memory mangement and usage out of the 1 GIG of Memory.