I posted the
Large Address Aware site further back in this thread. The site reads:
This is an application that assists in making other applications/games Large Address Aware. When a 32-bit application/game
(like SHIII or SH4) is large address aware, it can access up to 4 GiB on a x64 operating system. A 32 bit OS will have 3 gig's of total memory available.
64-bit versions of Windows require no modifications to the operating system to benefit from this application.
32-bit versions of Windows, you must increase the user memory setting by setting a "switch". Follow the instructions layed out in the LAA thread dependant on which OS you have. I'm guessing Win 8.1 would be the same as Win 7.
It is not advised to use this application if you have less than 3 GiB of RAM.
Neither SHIII, or SH4 were made to use more than 2 gigs of memory. Limitations within the .exe file keeps it from using additional memory....even
if your computer has it available. With today's computers, average memory size has grown several times since 2007. The only restriction is getting the games .exe file to recognize the additional memory your computer may have.
The difference in game play is significant.
One thing you have to do with SH4 is open the "Properties" tab of the SH4 .exe file, then under the "General" tab make sure to remove any check marks for the "Attributes" section:
The game by default enables the Read-only parameter....not allowing for LAA to install its changes.
Just one more thing.
LAA comes in a compressed file. Extract it to a folder you make under the C:/ folder (I called the new folder "
Large Address Aware").
Don't just open the compressed file and try to work the magic within the compressed file. "Extract" it to this new folder....then, open LAA. If the procedure goes as expected, a "settings.sav" file is made within your newly created LAA folder.
To make sure LAA has allowed the game to use more than its default RAM memory of 2 gigs....open the
Large Address Aware app; go to "Mode", then "Advanced"...... you'll see the above window. The path of the "sh4.exe" is displayed, with the heading LAA having the "True" entry. This shows your game is prepared to use the extra memory your system has.
My 4 gig Vista OS 64 bit computer CTD when running the "Battle of Midway" Single Mission after about 20 minutes. Too many ships, explosions, planes I guess. Putting the LAA to work....making sure the LAA was loaded with the "True" entry.....no more CTD!!