[prum555]

Guys..
I am using Windows ME and currently using 256Meg of SDRAM. With the current price of SDRAM dropping, I just wonder if I should get another 256Meg to make it 512Meg. Anyone like to share their experience?
Thx.

[goofy422]

The more RAM the better! But 256 is enough for most games and any other programs. 512mb will be way more than enough. But if dirt cheap then go for it, 256mb more on one DIMM will set u back less than $100!!!!

But i still say more the better!:D

[Cynan]

I do believe that there is some problem with the 9x code base that causes the system to hang if you exceed a certain amount of memory. I doubt even 9x/ME could even handle 512 anyway. If your going to have that much, install 2K... it rocks.

--Cynan.

[prum555]

Cynan..

I'd tried Win2k before and I'd problem with the IRQs. The problem is Win2k assigns all IRQ of my peripheral cards to 9 and I've an ASUS v7700 Geforece2 PTS which hang since I could not assign a different IRQ manually (I've assigned IRQ 11 in the BIOS). Do you have any suggestion?

BTW, I just got my additional 256Meg over the weekend. I will not say
it rocks but the loading of programs are a bit faster even if I
launch a couple of tasks consecutively. Sure ME will be able to handle
512Meg.

Also when I used SYSINFO to display my memory after booting up ME it showed available physical memory was 365Meg. Seems like ME utilize 147Meg during bootup when I use 512Meg. Any idea if I use only 256Meg
what will be the available physical mem then?

Regards.
Prum555

[Cynan]

I'm not sure how you manually assign IRQs in 2K. I'm sure you can do it though. I just looked at mine, and it seems my GeForce is on its own, guess I'm lucky!

I did notice my SB Live! sharing an IRQ with my RAID controller though.. don't like that look of that, but I've not had any problems with it, so it must be o'kay.

--Cynan.

[clutch]

Win9x platforms don't perform as well as NT-based platforms when using large amounts or memory (256MB or more). I have never seen any real usable increases when going over 128MB in a 9x box.

As far as the IRQ situation:

1. Most systems have no issues sharing IRQs. I have many systems running Win2K, ranging from Dells with a simple ATI Rage 128, to my main workstation using an AOpen AX-34 (Apollo Pro 133A Chipset) and a Hercules GeForce2 Pro.

2. You *can* assign IRQs in Win2K, provided you disable ACPI support during setup. You could try to convert an existing machine to non-ACPI, but I haven't seen one successfully pull it off.

[Brian Frank]

Yeah, I agree with clutch. I tried to switch Win2k from an ACPI system, but it didn't work. The IRQ sharing does not pose a problem really. I have a ton of stuff on the same IRQ, but I have had no problems with it.
If it's not causing hardware problems for a cold hard fact on your system, leave the IRQs alone, unless you want to drive yourself nuts.
Seriously, if you want to have that much RAM, Win2k will make better use of it. I've also heard Win9x cannot handle more than 512MB without a problem, and that may be pushing your system.
The Asus card: If you don't have the Deluxe version, go with the Nvidia reference drivers. I've found that the manufacturer's driver's screw stuff up. I'd get BSOD's after exiting a game due to the drivers it came with. I got the reference drivers and everything worked fine. The 12.00's are supposed to be pretty good, but try some out and see what you like.

[prum555]

Brian, Clutch and Cynan

Thanks for your good suggestions. I like to use Win2k if I can solve the IRQ problem. I agree with you guys about Win2k is a more stable platform since it is a full 32bit OS. I will keep on searching for an anwser to the problem of IRQ assignment. I will inform you guys by posting here if I have any findings. BTW, if you come across some good lead do send me a note at prum555@hotmail.com.

Cheers and regards.

For another notch and Happy Happy..

Prum555

[Intlharvester]

Here is the KB article which explains that Win9x/ME doesn't like more than 512MB:

"Out of Memory" Error Messages with Large Amounts of RAM Installed - http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q253/9/12.ASP

[ValkyerieK7]

to the one having hanging problems in 2k. Are you running an Athlon system? If so, install service pack 2 along w/ the aMD registry patch. I don't think it has anything to do w/ the acpi irq management. but yeah download those patches then see what happens

[prum555]

ValkyerieK7
My config is
MoBo ASUS P3V4X - BIOS 1006b Beta
CPU PIII 600EB not O/C
Mem 516Meg @ PC133
Video Card ASUS V7700 GeForce2 PTS Pure 32Meg DDR

[ValkyerieK7]

I remember seeing the knowledge base saying that the vcache needs to be modified or something. Oh yeah ..prum I think you need to install service pack 2. That include the VIA AGP fix. That could be why your 3d apps were hanging in win2k. At least according to MS.

[Xiven]

Quote:

to the one having hanging problems in 2k. Are you running an Athlon system? If so, install service pack 2 along w/ the aMD registry patch. I don't think it has anything to do w/ the acpi irq management. but yeah download those patches then see what happens

Yeah, people are far too quick to blame the shared IRQs (a la ACPI) for their problems, when it is in fact very rare for it to be the cause of the problem.

[ValkyerieK7]

I like aCPI .not only does it turn off my pc automatically when I shut down, it allows me to add pci cards at will heheh

[GTwannabe]

Buy more RAM. You can get a stick of Micron PC133 256mb over at computersupersale.com for $39.

[pmistry]

Got a dual boot of Win2000 SP2 and Win Millennium, running on Athlon 750 SLOT A, Asus K7V, 512 MB PC133 RAM, GeForce2 MX, blah blah. WinME doesn't seem to perform any better from jumping from 256 MB, but it did when I bumped from 128 to 256. WinME is no different, but I found that Deus Ex, UT, and Quake 3 all load quicker. I suggest you get it anyway cuz when RAM is cheap you gotta swing for it. As for Win2k, the system is more smoother with 512 over 256 especially when loading a memory hog game like UT or Q3 with programs like ICQ open. In most other application use like Office 2000 or Photoshop, no difference from 256 megs, but if you work with larger files, you will get a boost.

I think ACPI support is essential and thus you shouldn't bother with it. Just grab the latest SP pack for Win2k, and BIOS update for your motherboard and all will be well, I am sure.

[prum555]

Guys..

I finally have to give in and traded in my ASUS P3V4X mobo and replace it with an Intel D851EPEA mobo. Of course I need to replace my CPU chip also. One thing for good is that now I have no problem to upgrade to Win2000 and using AGP 4x. My current configuration is;

Mobo : Intel D815EPEA
CPU : PIII 866EB (have to give up my PIII 600EB slot!)
Video : ASUS v7700 Geforce2 GTS 32Meg DDR SGRAM
S/C : Sound Blaster Live Value
HDD : Maxtor Diamond Max 40 - 30GB @ 7200rpm ATA-66
Mem : 512Meg DIMM @ 133Mhz

and my 3DMark2000 score is 6502.

So I am an happy face again.

Kick in for another notch and a big BAM!

Prum555

[Marktait]

I have 512MB SDRAM PC133 and runs great on both WinME and Win2k.
I find the more the better, but 512MB is probably anoth anyway.

---------------------------------
1.2Ghz AMDK7 Athlon Thunderbird
512MB PC133 Hyundai RAM
ATX Gigabyte 71XE4 Motherboard
40GB Seagate ATA/100 5400RPM
16x 10x 40x LiteON ReWriter
40x Compaq CDDrive
36x Creative CDDrive
17" NEC Monitor
64MB Nvidia GeForce 2Mx
Ambient 56k V.92Fax Modem
Creative 128PCI Soundcard
Hauppage WinTV Card with Radio
WindowsME
Windows2000Professional SP2

[HarU]

Just so you guys know, there is an issue with irq 9 in win2k. Ive seen this about 3 times now. For some reasons, certain configurations will get stuck with having all expansion cards placed on irq 9. video, sound, network, modem, etc. etc.

The reason for this, as far as i know, is unknown. There is a fix though. Like clutch said, it has to do with ACPI controlling your irqs. You have to turn it off. I know this sucks, but its better than an unstable system. In order to turn it off, you must install the OS in Standard Mode. When you begin the install of win2k, if you look at the bottom of the screen it will ask you to push f6 for scsi and raid drivers. When it asks you to do this, push F5. This will bring up a little menu that has a few different options, one of them being Standard Mode. Select it and continue on with the install. When install is finished, you will notice that irq 9 will only have one device on it.

Hope this helps for future reference...

[Brian Frank]

The IRQ sharing is usually not the problem. It gets branded as the culprit even though it rarely is. I have 8 devices on IRQ 9, including my sound, video, extra IDE controllers, my nic...
This has been running very stable.
Some of the problem is with the BIOS, usually in older systems, that has poor ACPI implementation and can cause problems.