XP64 Minimum memory

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Bearing in mind that 32bit XP runs like a dog on the minimum hardware
requirements, that should tell you something about how 64bit XP will run on
the quoted minimum requirements..

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prka_fea_ppnm.asp

 

[google_groups3]

Hi all.

I have an AMD64 3400 running XP Pro 32bit. I have been toying with the
idea of running XP64, I have an MSDN subscription, until I read that it
needs at least 1GB of RAM to run. My system has 1GB of RAM in it and I
don't really want to buy any more.

So, is anyone running it with a GB of RAM? If so, what sort of
performance do you get? I use the computer for programming/general
stuff/ and the odd game of Formula 1 Challange 99-02.

Should I upgrade?

Thanks.

 

[google_groups3]

good point, but even with a GB of memory it would run that bad???

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

It all depends upon the rest of the machine spec.. a blazing processor and
video card make a huge difference to 'apparent' speed.. and you can turn off
XP eye candy too.. again, a major difference in apparent speed..

Best maybe to try it.. you can always go back to 32bit XP.. you might want
to ensure that you can get 64bit drivers for all of your devices.. 64bit XP
dislikes 32bit drivers intensely..

 

[R. McCarty]

I just recently built a XP 64 machine for a friend. Because of the budget
we had to work with, we only installed a single 512 DDR module. The
machine runs very well and he plans to add a second 512 to make use
of the Dual-Channel memory capabilities. The biggest consideration on
XP 64 is drivers as Mike said. Anyway 1.0 Gig would be best, but XP
64-Bit runs quite well with 512.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

That has to be a first..

When was the last time that a Microsoft OS actually ran ok in LESS than the
recommended minimum?..

 

[google_groups3]

I just recently built a XP 64 machine for a friend. Because of the budget
we had to work with, we only installed a single 512 DDR module. The
machine runs very well and he plans to add a second 512 to make use
of the Dual-Channel memory capabilities. The biggest consideration on
XP 64 is drivers as Mike said. Anyway 1.0 Gig would be best, but XP
64-Bit runs quite well with 512.

Interesting. The rest of the machine is of a high spec, it is just the
memory that was my concern. It has a netgear wireless network card
that I am having trouble locating drivers for. Is there a way to use
32bit drivers in some sort of emulation mode?

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

There is no way to use 32bit drivers with XP 64bit.. this is one of the
problems with using XP 64 and the problem is not caused by Microsoft's
intransigence.. device manufacturers are slow to release 64bit drivers for
their products..

Intel produce a network card for which 64bit drivers are available..

http://support.intel.com/support/network/sb/CS-006120.htm

 

[Cymbal Man Freq.]

That has to be a first..

When was the last time that a Microsoft OS actually ran ok in LESS
than the recommended minimum?..

Does Win 3.1 run well on 8MB of RAM and a 12 MB swap file? It seems there is
only 4.8 MB of free RAM left after bootup; and a program that recommends a 10 MB
swap file gives a BSOD error message when trying to open. This program worked OK
several years ago, but the machine has since been invaded by an invasive virus
and damage was done. I recommend a full hard drive wipe, but the user won't
agree.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Windows 3.1 would run in 2mb Ram on an 8mb HDD.. in practice, many machines
of that era were 4mb RAM and 120-170mb HDD's.. Win 3.11 for Workgroups
required a little more ooomph than 3.1.. increasing RAM to 8mb was useful

 

[ANONYMOUS]

YEs I used to run Win 3.11 on 8 mb PC. I know this because I couldn;t
afford anything else!! As far as swap file is concerned, you should
normally leave it to windows to set a default based on your system but
you can change it manually if you want to.

Unfortunately, my old PC is not connected on the monitor so I can't tell
you how. I normally reuse my monitor wherever possible to save
costs/space etc etc!!. I buy barebone machines and build my own system