Windows 95/98 forum: Too much ram?

Assuming the first MG means MHz and the second MG means MB the answer is that this doesn't depend on the processor at all. The only relevant factor is the amount of RAM the motherboard supports, and that's documented in the manual that came with it.

For example, my old Compaq Presario 2240 can't have more than 48 Mb (16 fixed + 32 removable).

And yes, it is possible to install too much RAM in a computer with Windows 98. For this OS 512 Mb is the supported maximum. However, if you have a real server OS (like Window NT Server or Linux) and use it for databases, don't hesitate to go up to 4 Gb RAM.

Depending on what you do with your Windows 98 computer, 128, 192 or 256 Mb is good enough. No need to spend more money for (maybe, if at all) a very small performance gain.


Kees

Hi
You can have as much ram as you mobo will allow and limite access to it by tricking win 98se.

Edit sys.ini just below the Dynapge entry with this line
MaxPhysPage=40000

that will allow win 98se the max ram it will recognise and still work.Which is almost 1000 megs.

I am doing that on my dual boot pc right now.
It has 1500 megs pc 133 and works great.

Save the ini file and reboot.

Regards
Maxie

If you have win98SE it will use almost up to a gig of ram.
But If it won't boot.
Reboot into comand prompt only.
Type edit sys.ini
Then hit alt key
scroll down to windows using direction keys
enter
scroll left to files
scroll down to system.ini

put MaxPhysPage=40000 just below the dynapage line.
Alt again and save.

Regards
Maxie

PS this is kinda scary,if you goof any where you may not be able to boot again

So basically you installed a bunch of RAM and told Windows to ignore most of it. What's the point of having it if it's not being used?

This user isn't multi-booting (at least not that we've been made aware of) which is why I thought the simplest solution was to remove the extra RAM. No need to "fool" the OS.

Windows 98SE and ME will use up to 1GB of ram but it depends on the motherboard. If you are using an Intel 865 chipset with dual channel memory for instance, it doesn't like it. The other discussions about limiting the memory used by editing the sysytem.ini file (which can also be done by running "msconfig"-general tab-advanced button-limit memory to 511MB checkbox), will work for multiboot systems where you want to also run later OS's with more memory. Older motherboards with plain old DIMM PC100/133 will tolerate this much better.

More RAM does not necessarily mean a faster machine. Windows doesn't play nicely with more than 512 MB of RAM. Some people work around that problem by adding commands (like the ones you posted) that tell Windows not to use that extra RAM. I merely suggested that a simpler solution (unless you're multi-booting as you are) is to simply remove the excess RAM from the computer.

Windows before XP version is not prepared to manage more than 512 MB of Ram, unless you inform the machine you're using more than that.
To do so:

Run MSCONFIG
Open WIN.INI
Go to VCACHE
At the end add the following line:
"MaxFileCache=524288"
Save

You can do this with your 512 MB and then try installing the 1.5 GB

Actually, what maxieray stated is the best way to use more than 512mb of ram. Use msconfig, general tab, and advanced button. This way insures you do not make typos while editing the ini file. Typos in the ini file could cause you more problems.