Windows ME and RAM

[JimJRJ]

I have Windows ME, I know I know, no comments please Anyways I have 512MB or RAM and was thinking of getting 512 more since I use my computer mostly for games. I have heard though that 98 and ME don't handle more than 512 very well. Is this true and does anyone have more than 512 with windows ME and have they had any problems? Thanks.

http://aumha.org/win4/a/memmgmt.htm

interesting read

[nukes]

Actually, ME and 9x can't effectivley address more than 256mb ram. Your money would be better spent buying Win2k or XP. That would gove you a much bigger gaming boost than another 512mb ram would.
The things you should consider upgrading in terms of hardware are your CPU and graphics card, depending on what you have, they will provide you with a better gaming experience.

[Scott Tiger]

GZ's read is a good one. I use the ConservativeSwapfileUsage=1
tweak on my 98SE laptop with great success. Nukes' recommendation to get a newer operating system is a good one if you're going to be playing the newer (read more resource hungry) games. Just be sure to set some money aside for the newer CPU and graphics cards as well.

[nukes]

Well, I had 98 installed as a dual boot with XP at one point on a Duron 1ghz.
GTA3, HL, and Q3A
XP whipped the floor with '98se.
Its not just the memory managment that's different, its a whole different process scheduler etc as well.

[Scott Tiger]

Really? I haven't compared 98 to XP Pro. I know I took a big hit with W2k so I assumed the same of XP as well. That's worth looking into.

[JimJRJ]

Thanks for the info guys, good article GZ. I have an athlon 2800+ and a GF 4Ti4600 video card. I don't have any real problems with any of the games out right now, just thinking of the newer games that will be coming out, Doom III, HL2 etc. I will be upgrading to a 9800 pro soon. I wanted to keep ME because my friend who has XP can't play some older games that I still play. I guess I should upgrade to XP soon though.

Jim did your friend try the compatibility mode in xp to play the older games?

Personally if you get a chance to dump winme go for it. Unless you play alot of older games often

[JimJRJ]

Yeah GZ he tried the compatability mode but it didn't work. I'll probably end up upgraded to XP real soon though, even though I can't play some older games. ME can be a real pain sometimes. Plus I have a friend who said he would sell me XP upgrade for $50 and it hasn't been used, so I'm sure I will upgrade sooner rather than later.

[durante]

Is it just an upgrade or is it the complete one?, XP I mean that your friend has. Beacuse if its upgrade its not worth spending the bucks in it IMO because a clean install is "cleaner" and doesnt give you the problems that the upgrade does. Most recommend to make a clean install for best performance and you dont need to worry about upgrading your hardware since your graphic and memory work great with XP. As most will agree and you can take a look at the article that I started called "Best Game OS?" that XP is the best OS for games with the pretty modern games. ME is as also most would agree not the appropriate OS for anything.The change from ME to XP will be smooth if, as I said, make a clean install instead of an upgrade. But I know that your wallet is not gonna be happy about my opinion but I felt like I needed to tell you though.

durante