Enabling 3GB switch on Windows XP

[Arclight]

Just start "Run..." ("Windows key + R" shortcut) and type "cmd", enter.

Gets you a command prompt, where you type: "bcdedit /set IncreaseUserVa 3072", enter.

Done.


Do this on your own risk though; I still can't say I aprove of messing with the OS in this way.

[The General]

Is there a way to reverse this, should I experience any problems?

[Arclight]

I think the default setting is 2048, so try using that instead of 3072.

All it does is set the amount of memory for the user-space, if I understand it correctly. Normally the max of 4GB adressable is split 50-50, but with the command you set 3GB for user, leaving 1GB system/kernel.

[The General]

I only have 2 Gig of DDR2 Ram on-board, so this isn't worth me doing is it?

[Arclight]

Don't think so, but then. I don't think it's worth it in the first place.

Probably more to gain by installing more RAM, don't think this would result in any improvement at the moment.

[The General]

Because SH5 is unfinished and hasn't gone through a lengthy development process where the programme is streamlined and optimized, it is very demanding upon the system's resources. The only answer is to get a machine that is way more powerful than should be necessary.

[Reece]

What's annoying is that if I edit the boot.ini file just to have the " /3GB" switch added leaving the " UserVa= xxxx" out, most of my games play with stutter or lockup and my TV card just shows a black screen, take the switch out and all goes well, placing the switch to include the " UserVa=xxxx" (doesn't matter what xxxx value is) still has exactly the same problem!

[Pintea]

First of all, the patch "readme" is wrong.
The 3GB switch won't do anything performance-wise. It will just avoid errors and crashes when SH5 runs out of "memory" (addressing space actually).
And it will only matter for 32 bit systems.

Even though you only have 2GB RAM, the 3GB switch refers to _virtual memory_, not physical memory. So you can enable the 3GB switch even with 1 GB of RAM, it will help.

If you have windows vista/7, the more video RAM you have, the more your harbors will disappear ! (as paradoxical as it can be....)
That's because the video card memory uses the same 2GB of virtual memory as the game uses, so you will have less memory for the game.

As a conclusion, this will only avoid errors/crashes, and only works on 32bit systems (with more positive impact for vista/win7 uses).

[Arclight]

Originally Posted by Reece

What's annoying is that if I edit the boot.ini file just to have the " /3GB" switch added leaving the " UserVa= xxxx" out, most of my games play with stutter or lockup and my TV card just shows a black screen, take the switch out and all goes well, placing the switch to include the " UserVa=xxxx" (doesn't matter what xxxx value is) still has exactly the same problem!

Then leave it alone.


Seriously, not much to be gained here anyway. More something for servers so they can use larger caches.

You know that rattle from the HD when it needs to load something and it results in a stutter in the game, since harddrives aren't that fast? It helps to deal with that. Normally it loads things into (V)RAM during those loading screens, and works from that during play. If you run out of memory though, it will need to move unused stuff from RAM to the pagefile (virtual memory; just HD space and thus far slower than RAM), or swap some stuff between it and RAM.

*at least as far as I can figure it. Pintea has a point about the virtual memory. Think we agree it won't improve performance though.

[The General]

Originally Posted by Pintea

First of all, the patch "readme" is wrong.
The 3GB switch won't do anything performance-wise. It will just avoid errors and crashes when SH5 runs out of "memory" (addressing space actually).
And it will only matter for 32 bit systems.

Even though you only have 2GB RAM, the 3GB switch refers to _virtual memory_, not physical memory. So you can enable the 3GB switch even with 1 GB of RAM, it will help.

If you have windows vista/7, the more video RAM you have, the more your harbors will disappear ! (as paradoxical as it can be....)
That's because the video card memory uses the same 2GB of virtual memory as the game uses, so you will have less memory for the game.

As a conclusion, this will only avoid errors/crashes, and only works on 32bit systems (with more positive impact for vista/win7 uses).

Thanks again Pintea, you the man!

Now, any idea on how to get Mines and Subnets into the game?

[troopie]

Originally Posted by Arclight

Just start "Run..." ("Windows key + R" shortcut) and type "cmd", enter.

Gets you a command prompt, where you type: "bcdedit /set IncreaseUserVa 3072", enter.

Done.


Do this on your own risk though; I still can't say I aprove of messing with the OS in this way.

G'day all.

I did this back in the day; it was the only way I could get SH5 to run on my rig. Now I want to undo it! Despite the conjecture I can safely say it was an effective fix. The effect was immediate and effective. Without it I could launch the game but the GUI 'buttons' appeared as white boxes.

I was/am using Vista 32 bit.

My rig is since upgraded (same OS) and I think the 'switch' is causing probs for my OS.

Does anyone now how to properly undo this?

@Arclight gives this post as an undo:

I think the default setting is 2048, so try using that instead of 3072.

All it does is set the amount of memory for the user-space, if I understand it correctly. Normally the max of 4GB adressable is split 50-50, but with the command you set 3GB for user, leaving 1GB system/kernel.

Can I just bang this number in or is there an 'open default' that has been undone by specifying a value; such as when giving core numbers to 'boot'? (i.e. no value selected means max?)

And does 'increase' still work as a command?

[troopie]

Found it here:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...&postcount=316