Memory above 512 MB

I will be installing two 256 MB chips into my daughter's Windows 98SE system
soon. It will be in addition to the two 64 MB chips in there now. So she
will have a total of 640 MB of RAM. Then I intend to upgrade her system to
Windows XP Pro. Her CPU is running at 1.3 GHZ and her HD has 40 GB and is 10
percent full.

Can I expect any problems with Windows XP in going to 640 MB of RAM? I know
there are some steps that need to be taken with W98 operating systems when
512 MB is exceeded.

Thanks.

Win98 will have problems with more than 512MB RAM. There is a hack to get
round this but since you're going to XP not worth trying. Also some m/b's
don't like mixing RAM types, if so stick to the 2x256MB. Run the
compatibility wizard from the XP CD before you start and much better to do a
clean install rather than an upgrade from Win98.

--

Kenny


"Papa" wrote in message
...
I will be installing two 256 MB chips into my daughter's Windows 98SE
system
soon. It will be in addition to the two 64 MB chips in there now. So she
will have a total of 640 MB of RAM. Then I intend to upgrade her system to
Windows XP Pro. Her CPU is running at 1.3 GHZ and her HD has 40 GB and is
10
percent full.

Can I expect any problems with Windows XP in going to 640 MB of RAM? I
know
there are some steps that need to be taken with W98 operating systems when
512 MB is exceeded.

Thanks.

Papa wrote:

I will be installing two 256 MB chips into my daughter's Windows 98SE system
soon. It will be in addition to the two 64 MB chips in there now. So she
will have a total of 640 MB of RAM. Then I intend to upgrade her system to
Windows XP Pro. Her CPU is running at 1.3 GHZ and her HD has 40 GB and is 10
percent full.

Can I expect any problems with Windows XP in going to 640 MB of RAM? I know
there are some steps that need to be taken with W98 operating systems when
512 MB is exceeded.

No problems from XP with this amount of RAM.
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP MCE
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.

Papa wrote:
I will be installing two 256 MB chips into my daughter's Windows 98SE
system soon. It will be in addition to the two 64 MB chips in there
now. So she will have a total of 640 MB of RAM. Then I intend to
upgrade her system to Windows XP Pro. Her CPU is running at 1.3 GHZ
and her HD has 40 GB and is 10 percent full.


Do not upgrade from Windows98SE to Windows XP. Backup her data and perform a
clean install of Windows XP. The upgrade version of WinXP may be used for
this purpose. Simply insert the qualifying Win98 CD when prompted by setup.
The OEM version will allow only a clean installation.

Can I expect any problems with Windows XP in going to 640 MB of RAM?
I know there are some steps that need to be taken with W98 operating
systems when 512 MB is exceeded.

You should not have any problems regarding the amount of memory.

Great advice. I'll do a backup and then do a clean install, which, as you
well know, prevents the system from inheriting old problems, among other
things.

And thanks for answering the memory question.

Regards.

"S.Heenan" wrote in message
news:JNxLc.72445$Mr4.47946@pd7tw1no...
Papa wrote:
I will be installing two 256 MB chips into my daughter's Windows 98SE
system soon. It will be in addition to the two 64 MB chips in there
now. So she will have a total of 640 MB of RAM. Then I intend to
upgrade her system to Windows XP Pro. Her CPU is running at 1.3 GHZ
and her HD has 40 GB and is 10 percent full.


Do not upgrade from Windows98SE to Windows XP. Backup her data and perform
a
clean install of Windows XP. The upgrade version of WinXP may be used for
this purpose. Simply insert the qualifying Win98 CD when prompted by
setup.
The OEM version will allow only a clean installation.

Can I expect any problems with Windows XP in going to 640 MB of RAM?
I know there are some steps that need to be taken with W98 operating
systems when 512 MB is exceeded.

You should not have any problems regarding the amount of memory.

Thanks, Tom

"Tom Porterfield" wrote in message
...
Papa wrote:

I will be installing two 256 MB chips into my daughter's Windows 98SE
system
soon. It will be in addition to the two 64 MB chips in there now. So she
will have a total of 640 MB of RAM. Then I intend to upgrade her system
to
Windows XP Pro. Her CPU is running at 1.3 GHZ and her HD has 40 GB and
is 10
percent full.

Can I expect any problems with Windows XP in going to 640 MB of RAM? I
know
there are some steps that need to be taken with W98 operating systems
when
512 MB is exceeded.

No problems from XP with this amount of RAM.
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP MCE
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.

Xref: newsfeed-west.nntpserver.com microsoft.public.windowsxp.general:1197411

In ,
Papa typed:

Great advice. I'll do a backup and then do a clean install,
which, as
you well know, prevents the system from inheriting old
problems,
among other things.


Although many people will tell you that formatting and installing
cleanly is the best way to go, I disagree. Unlike with previous
versions of Windows, an upgrade to XP replaces almost everything,
and usually works very well. Old problems are rarely inherited.

My recommendation is the opposite of the one you're replying to:
at least try the upgrade, since it's much easier than a clean
installation. You can always change your mind and reinstall
cleanly if problems develop.


And thanks for answering the memory question.


Just confirming that the problem you're alluding to in Windows 98
doesn't exist in XP. There's no problem with 640MB, or even more.

However, whether your daughter will make effective use of that
much RAM is another story; it might well be overkill. RAM is
helpful to the extent that it keeps you from using the page file.
Once you have enough RAM for that, more does almost nothing extra
for you. How much RAM you need to not use the page file depends
on what apps you run, but for most people running a common range
of business applications, it's somewhere between 256 and 512MB.
*Some* people, however--for example those editing large
photographic images--can effectively use more, often *much* more.

So unless she's a very demanding user, I would begin by adding a
single 256MB stick and monitoring page file use (you can use this
free program:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_pagefilemon.htm). If it's
significant, you can always add the second one later.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup




"S.Heenan" wrote in message
news:JNxLc.72445$Mr4.47946@pd7tw1no...
Papa wrote:
I will be installing two 256 MB chips into my daughter's
Windows
98SE system soon. It will be in addition to the two 64 MB
chips in
there now. So she will have a total of 640 MB of RAM. Then I
intend to upgrade her system to Windows XP Pro. Her CPU is
running
at 1.3 GHZ and her HD has 40 GB and is 10 percent full.


Do not upgrade from Windows98SE to Windows XP. Backup her data
and
perform a clean install of Windows XP. The upgrade version of
WinXP
may be used for this purpose. Simply insert the qualifying
Win98 CD
when prompted by setup. The OEM version will allow only a
clean
installation.

Can I expect any problems with Windows XP in going to 640 MB
of
RAM? I know there are some steps that need to be taken with
W98
operating systems when 512 MB is exceeded.

You should not have any problems regarding the amount of
memory.

Thanks for your comments. Appreciated.

I'll have to side with S. Heenan, though. I've rescued way too many sick
computers from friends, and invariably a clean install does the trick -
whereas I have spun many a wheel trying to do an upgrade only to eventually
go for the clean install anyway. A clean install is simply easier, and
well - clean ;)

As for what my daughter needs in the way of computer capability, I am well
aware of the economic and functional importance of fitting hardware and
software to the intended use. Her applications really do require that much
memory. Beyond that, I will again have to disagree with you. In my opinion
256 MB for an XP system is just marginal, even for office software, which
anymore does a lot of audio/visual tasks.

Regards.

"Ken Blake" wrote in message
...
In ,
Papa typed:

Great advice. I'll do a backup and then do a clean install,
which, as
you well know, prevents the system from inheriting old
problems,
among other things.


Although many people will tell you that formatting and installing
cleanly is the best way to go, I disagree. Unlike with previous
versions of Windows, an upgrade to XP replaces almost everything,
and usually works very well. Old problems are rarely inherited.

My recommendation is the opposite of the one you're replying to:
at least try the upgrade, since it's much easier than a clean
installation. You can always change your mind and reinstall
cleanly if problems develop.


And thanks for answering the memory question.


Just confirming that the problem you're alluding to in Windows 98
doesn't exist in XP. There's no problem with 640MB, or even more.

However, whether your daughter will make effective use of that
much RAM is another story; it might well be overkill. RAM is
helpful to the extent that it keeps you from using the page file.
Once you have enough RAM for that, more does almost nothing extra
for you. How much RAM you need to not use the page file depends
on what apps you run, but for most people running a common range
of business applications, it's somewhere between 256 and 512MB.
*Some* people, however--for example those editing large
photographic images--can effectively use more, often *much* more.

So unless she's a very demanding user, I would begin by adding a
single 256MB stick and monitoring page file use (you can use this
free program:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_pagefilemon.htm). If it's
significant, you can always add the second one later.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup




"S.Heenan" wrote in message
news:JNxLc.72445$Mr4.47946@pd7tw1no...
Papa wrote:
I will be installing two 256 MB chips into my daughter's
Windows
98SE system soon. It will be in addition to the two 64 MB
chips in
there now. So she will have a total of 640 MB of RAM. Then I
intend to upgrade her system to Windows XP Pro. Her CPU is
running
at 1.3 GHZ and her HD has 40 GB and is 10 percent full.


Do not upgrade from Windows98SE to Windows XP. Backup her data
and
perform a clean install of Windows XP. The upgrade version of
WinXP
may be used for this purpose. Simply insert the qualifying
Win98 CD
when prompted by setup. The OEM version will allow only a
clean
installation.

Can I expect any problems with Windows XP in going to 640 MB
of
RAM? I know there are some steps that need to be taken with
W98
operating systems when 512 MB is exceeded.

You should not have any problems regarding the amount of
memory.

In ,
Papa typed:

Thanks for your comments. Appreciated.


You're welcome.


I'll have to side with S. Heenan, though.


Your choice, of course.


I've rescued way too many
sick computers from friends, and invariably a clean install
does the
trick - whereas I have spun many a wheel trying to do an
upgrade only
to eventually go for the clean install anyway.


With WIndows XP or earlier versions? With earlier versions, I
would agree with you. But not with XP.


A clean install is
simply easier, and well - clean ;)


Easier? I think it's much harder. You have to backup and restore
all your data, restore all your applications, reconfigure the
operating system and the applications the way you want them, etc.
Depending on how much customization you have, it can be a long
involved process.

But the decision is yours, not mine.


As for what my daughter needs in the way of computer
capability, I am
well aware of the economic and functional importance of fitting
hardware and software to the intended use. Her applications
really do
require that much memory.


OK. I was just cautioning you to be sure. If you already are,
then that's fine.


Beyond that, I will again have to disagree
with you. In my opinion 256 MB for an XP system is just
marginal,
even for office software, which anymore does a lot of
audio/visual
tasks.


As I said, it depends on the user and what he does. I know many
people running XP quite happily with 256MB, and their performance
is fine.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup


"Ken Blake" wrote in message
...
In ,
Papa typed:

Great advice. I'll do a backup and then do a clean install,
which, as
you well know, prevents the system from inheriting old
problems,
among other things.


Although many people will tell you that formatting and
installing
cleanly is the best way to go, I disagree. Unlike with
previous
versions of Windows, an upgrade to XP replaces almost
everything,
and usually works very well. Old problems are rarely
inherited.

My recommendation is the opposite of the one you're replying
to:
at least try the upgrade, since it's much easier than a clean
installation. You can always change your mind and reinstall
cleanly if problems develop.


And thanks for answering the memory question.


Just confirming that the problem you're alluding to in Windows
98
doesn't exist in XP. There's no problem with 640MB, or even
more.

However, whether your daughter will make effective use of that
much RAM is another story; it might well be overkill. RAM is
helpful to the extent that it keeps you from using the page
file.
Once you have enough RAM for that, more does almost nothing
extra
for you. How much RAM you need to not use the page file
depends
on what apps you run, but for most people running a common
range
of business applications, it's somewhere between 256 and
512MB.
*Some* people, however--for example those editing large
photographic images--can effectively use more, often *much*
more.

So unless she's a very demanding user, I would begin by adding
a
single 256MB stick and monitoring page file use (you can use
this
free program:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_pagefilemon.htm). If it's
significant, you can always add the second one later.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup




"S.Heenan" wrote in message
news:JNxLc.72445$Mr4.47946@pd7tw1no...
Papa wrote:
I will be installing two 256 MB chips into my daughter's
Windows
98SE system soon. It will be in addition to the two 64 MB
chips in
there now. So she will have a total of 640 MB of RAM.
Then I
intend to upgrade her system to Windows XP Pro. Her CPU
is
running
at 1.3 GHZ and her HD has 40 GB and is 10 percent full.


Do not upgrade from Windows98SE to Windows XP. Backup her
data
and
perform a clean install of Windows XP. The upgrade version
of
WinXP
may be used for this purpose. Simply insert the qualifying
Win98 CD
when prompted by setup. The OEM version will allow only a
clean
installation.

Can I expect any problems with Windows XP in going to 640
MB
of
RAM? I know there are some steps that need to be taken
with
W98
operating systems when 512 MB is exceeded.

You should not have any problems regarding the amount of
memory.

"S.Heenan" wrote:



Do not upgrade from Windows98SE to Windows XP. Backup her data and perform a
clean install of Windows XP.

Why?

During Beta testing of Windows XP I installed each new beta release as
an upgrade. And on a number of occasions I also installed the same
beta release as a clean install.

The only substantive difference that I ever discovered between an
upgrade and a clean install was that a clean install was always a
royal p.i.t.a. because of the hours and hours and hours and hours of
work that it took to install applications, configure them for use, and
restore data files from backups.



Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

"Papa" wrote:

Great advice. I'll do a backup and then do a clean install, which, as you
well know, prevents the system from inheriting old problems, among other
things.

And thanks for answering the memory question.


Windows XP basically does a clean install, even in an upgrade
situation. It starts by renaming the existing Windows folder and then
installing a clean copy of Windows XP in a new Windows folder. It
then imports only what it needs (registry entries, application DLLs,
fonts, etc) from the old Windows folder and deletes it.

Because Windows XP is based on the NT kernel very little if anything
of the system files from Windows 98 will be carried forward by the
upgrade.

And if you try the upgrade and it turns out to be problematic then you
still have the option of doing a clean install. But the vast majority
of upgrades from Windows 9x to XP do turn out well, and by doing so
you will save a great deal of work, and there is always something that
gets missed from the data file backup when you prepare for a clean
install.

Before doing the upgrade install you should read the article on
upgrading to Windows XP by former MVP Gary Woodruff at
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm

And if you do opt for the clean install route you should consider
using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard from the Windows XP CD to
back up your Windows 98 information to another hard drive partition, a
network drive, or a removable backup device. Gary Woodruff also has
an article on using FASTW which you will find at
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm


Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

Win 98 might or might not have problems. It depends on your AGP video =
card settings.

--=20
----------------------------------------------------------
'Not happy John! Defending our democracy',
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/...392635123.html

"Papa" wrote in message =
...
Thanks, Tom
=20
"Tom Porterfield" wrote in message
...
Papa wrote:

I will be installing two 256 MB chips into my daughter's Windows =
98SE
system
soon. It will be in addition to the two 64 MB chips in there now. =
So she
will have a total of 640 MB of RAM. Then I intend to upgrade her =
system
to
Windows XP Pro. Her CPU is running at 1.3 GHZ and her HD has 40 GB =
and
is 10
percent full.

Can I expect any problems with Windows XP in going to 640 MB of =
RAM? I
know
there are some steps that need to be taken with W98 operating =
systems
when
512 MB is exceeded.

No problems from XP with this amount of RAM.
--=20
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP MCE
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.
=20

In my circle of friends, 256 MB is inadequate, and in my judgment 256 MB
would be marginal on anyone's XP system.

In answer to your question, it was in regard to upgrading to XP. I have done
it numerous times, and, without exception, the clean install was easier.
Getting the latest drivers, and reinstalling user software, is a piece of
cake.

Best regards.



"Ken Blake" wrote in message
...
In ,
Papa typed:

Thanks for your comments. Appreciated.


You're welcome.


I'll have to side with S. Heenan, though.


Your choice, of course.


I've rescued way too many
sick computers from friends, and invariably a clean install
does the
trick - whereas I have spun many a wheel trying to do an
upgrade only
to eventually go for the clean install anyway.


With WIndows XP or earlier versions? With earlier versions, I
would agree with you. But not with XP.


A clean install is
simply easier, and well - clean ;)


Easier? I think it's much harder. You have to backup and restore
all your data, restore all your applications, reconfigure the
operating system and the applications the way you want them, etc.
Depending on how much customization you have, it can be a long
involved process.

But the decision is yours, not mine.


As for what my daughter needs in the way of computer
capability, I am
well aware of the economic and functional importance of fitting
hardware and software to the intended use. Her applications
really do
require that much memory.


OK. I was just cautioning you to be sure. If you already are,
then that's fine.


Beyond that, I will again have to disagree
with you. In my opinion 256 MB for an XP system is just
marginal,
even for office software, which anymore does a lot of
audio/visual
tasks.


As I said, it depends on the user and what he does. I know many
people running XP quite happily with 256MB, and their performance
is fine.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup


"Ken Blake" wrote in message
...
In ,
Papa typed:

Great advice. I'll do a backup and then do a clean install,
which, as
you well know, prevents the system from inheriting old
problems,
among other things.


Although many people will tell you that formatting and
installing
cleanly is the best way to go, I disagree. Unlike with
previous
versions of Windows, an upgrade to XP replaces almost
everything,
and usually works very well. Old problems are rarely
inherited.

My recommendation is the opposite of the one you're replying
to:
at least try the upgrade, since it's much easier than a clean
installation. You can always change your mind and reinstall
cleanly if problems develop.


And thanks for answering the memory question.


Just confirming that the problem you're alluding to in Windows
98
doesn't exist in XP. There's no problem with 640MB, or even
more.

However, whether your daughter will make effective use of that
much RAM is another story; it might well be overkill. RAM is
helpful to the extent that it keeps you from using the page
file.
Once you have enough RAM for that, more does almost nothing
extra
for you. How much RAM you need to not use the page file
depends
on what apps you run, but for most people running a common
range
of business applications, it's somewhere between 256 and
512MB.
*Some* people, however--for example those editing large
photographic images--can effectively use more, often *much*
more.

So unless she's a very demanding user, I would begin by adding
a
single 256MB stick and monitoring page file use (you can use
this
free program:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_pagefilemon.htm). If it's
significant, you can always add the second one later.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup




"S.Heenan" wrote in message
news:JNxLc.72445$Mr4.47946@pd7tw1no...
Papa wrote:
I will be installing two 256 MB chips into my daughter's
Windows
98SE system soon. It will be in addition to the two 64 MB
chips in
there now. So she will have a total of 640 MB of RAM.
Then I
intend to upgrade her system to Windows XP Pro. Her CPU
is
running
at 1.3 GHZ and her HD has 40 GB and is 10 percent full.


Do not upgrade from Windows98SE to Windows XP. Backup her
data
and
perform a clean install of Windows XP. The upgrade version
of
WinXP
may be used for this purpose. Simply insert the qualifying
Win98 CD
when prompted by setup. The OEM version will allow only a
clean
installation.

Can I expect any problems with Windows XP in going to 640
MB
of
RAM? I know there are some steps that need to be taken
with
W98
operating systems when 512 MB is exceeded.

You should not have any problems regarding the amount of
memory.

See these links for good info on upgrade and clean installations:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm

Papa wrote:

I will be installing two 256 MB chips into my daughter's Windows 98SE system
soon. It will be in addition to the two 64 MB chips in there now. So she
will have a total of 640 MB of RAM. Then I intend to upgrade her system to
Windows XP Pro. Her CPU is running at 1.3 GHZ and her HD has 40 GB and is 10
percent full.

Can I expect any problems with Windows XP in going to 640 MB of RAM? I know
there are some steps that need to be taken with W98 operating systems when
512 MB is exceeded.

Thanks.

"Hilary Karp" wrote in message
...
See these links for good info on upgrade and clean installations:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm

Papa wrote:

I will be installing two 256 MB chips into my daughter's Windows 98SE
system
soon. It will be in addition to the two 64 MB chips in there now. So she
will have a total of 640 MB of RAM. Then I intend to upgrade her system
to
Windows XP Pro. Her CPU is running at 1.3 GHZ and her HD has 40 GB and
is 10
percent full.

Can I expect any problems with Windows XP in going to 640 MB of RAM? I
know
there are some steps that need to be taken with W98 operating systems
when
512 MB is exceeded.

Thanks.

Why don't you install the RAM after you install XP?

Alias