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Old 11-29-10, 11:10 AM   #5
Tonga
Formerly Kpt. Hess
 
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The patch is only intended to be used on x64 Windows platforms (XP64, Vista64, Win7 64), since 32 bit operating systems usually have another default setting concerning the virtual memory allocation. As a standard, x86 based OS can only recognize and use up to 4 GB of virtual memory. Per default, 2 GB would be allocated to the kernel and 2 GB to user programs, which is absolutely fine for most purposes like office stuff, mailing and also many games etc. The downside however is that you might have some programs that would need more virtual memory than the operating system actually allows them to get. For these cases (e.g. like a heavily modded SH3), you can edit the boot.ini file and add a NT-kernel switch which forces the system to alter its distribution balance to 3 GB for user programs and only 1 GB for the system.
The boot.ini file is usually hidden unless you explicitly check the checkbox for showing hidden system files in the folder options.

You might want to have a look at this post, Fubar2Niner was so kind to collect some examples of how to edit the boot.ini:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...54&postcount=6

However, keep in mind that the boot.ini is an important system file and should only be edited with particular caution. Some basic info on the boot.ini: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTLDR

Due to the 2 GB limitation described above, 32 bit exe-files have the flag "can use > 2 GB" unchecked in their internal file format, so that they can never use more than 2 GB. 64 bit systems however are capable of working with more than 4 GB and therefore this flag actually means that it only limits the file and cuts short possible performance increases. The patch now just changes this flag setting and allows the file to use more than just 2 GB.

So, in general, the 4GB patch should be applied if you intend to run these games in an 64 bit OS environment. For 32 bit operating systems you would have to use the 3 GB kernel switch.

Last edited by Tonga; 11-29-10 at 11:22 AM.
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