FS9 SP1 on XP SP3.I get CTD on short final in complex addon airplanes but how do I know whether I need the 3GB switch?If I take 1 of my 2 2Gb Corsair sticks out, and no longer get CTDs, is that the definitive answer?If I do that, will I have to make any adjustment to the BIOS or wherever to allow for the change so that the pc will run right enough for me to do this test?I am, like a lot of folks here, confused and a bit afeared of the 3Gb switch: I have looked at lots of threads and still haven

As far as I know, The 3GB switch is needed if you get a CTD with an Out Of Memory error popup. If you only get a CTD, you may need to go to Event Viewer (in Control Panel) to get info on your CTD.Bob

Just do it. It can only help.

Just do it. It can only help.

HiI think its a bit more complicated for FS9 - doesn't the OP have to set the largeaddressaware flag first? You must set this flag before the /3GB switch will work.Using (http://www.ntcore.com/4gb_patch.php)!I also agree with BobbyJack this ctd needs investigating as it is not a typical OOM error!Nicholas (after investigation)To set the /3GB switch after applying the largeaddressaware flag as above - you: First read this: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library...(EXCHG.65).aspx and this http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y...sl=fr&tl=enNow if you are feeling brave:Open the "boot.ini" file which is usually in the root drive usually C:\ boot.ini (Save a copy first) (Make sure you can see hidden or system folders)Open it with notepad and you will see something similar to this:"[boot loader]timeout=30default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS[operating systems]multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect"after /fastdetect plus a space add: / 3GB / USERVA=2560 (also can try 2900) and save, REBOOT and you are set to go. If anything goes wrong just rename this boot.ini and use your original by renamimg your copy to "boot.ini", and reboot and you are back to before you modified the boot.ini.The USERVA setting can be varied by adding or subtracting 64KB lots but 2560 is pretty universalI used to run FS9 Sp1 on Vista 64-bit but I never saw any CTDs or OOMs.Good luckPeterH

Sorry - should have said:1/ 32bit2/ When I first started getting these crashes I got the OOM message. Yesterdays CTD was the first complete flight after an OS (but not FS, on another drive) reinstall. In the MD11 @ 2000ft into freeware EFHK the screen went black.Later yesterday I got a "Cannot increase memory to XXXXXXXXXX (course I cant remember what it was)" whilst editing video and a CTD.I know there is no physical problem with the memory: a pro tech friend ran a Memtest and came back clean.PeterH: The Ntcore patch linked here seems only to apply to 64bit.The first link: it says Windows 2000 and Windoes Server 2003, nothing about XPThe second link: a message at the top reads "This section applies to a different version of Windows than the one you are using. Content in this article may not be relevant to you. Visit the Windows XP Solution Center" - and I couldn

Sorry.Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Event Viewer/Applications.Bob

Hi NicholasThe links I gave you were just examples and the info would apply equally to XP.Where do you have windows installed on your PC?If it is the C:drive then there has to be a file C:\boot.ini - your computer would not work without it.Sorry about the 64-bit largeaddressaware link I do not have a link to a 32-bit version - sorry. It may be the flag will only work if you have a 64-bit OS installed. Perhaps another simmer has the answer to this one.Edit: Apparently this tool can set the largeaddressaware flag and is suitable for 32-bit OS: http://www.ntcore.com/exsuite.php, but I have no idea how to use it.PeterH

Thanks for the clarification. And I have finally found the boot.ini file.But before going forward I need to get something else out of the way. How important is it to set the size and management of the paging file before using the switch? Does it have a serious role to play?Mine was set at something in the 2000s and I changed it to automanaged where it rose to 3322 but its recommending 4983. So which should it be?Nicholas.

Thanks for the clarification. And I have finally found the boot.ini file.But before going forward I need to get something else out of the way. How important is it to set the size and management of the paging file before using the switch? Does it have a serious role to play?Mine was set at something in the 2000s and I changed it to automanaged where it rose to 3322 but its recommending 4983. So which should it be?Nicholas.

NicholasA very good qustion wrt paging file. There are many diverse opinions on its size and location.The gurus say its better on a separate partition/drive (to the OS drive) so it doesn't get defragmented. Some experts say that if it is on a separate drive/partition then you should also have a small paging file say around 640Kb on the OS drive.Total Size, well I set whatever automanage says as BOTH the maximum and minimum. There will be a lot of opinions on this one.The bottom line: Automanage on any drive is reasonable and won't cause any issues, but do defrag regularly. RegardsPeterH

FS9 SP1 on XP SP3.I get CTD on short final in complex addon airplanes but how do I know whether I need the 3GB switch?If I take 1 of my 2 2Gb Corsair sticks out, and no longer get CTDs, is that the definitive answer?If I do that, will I have to make any adjustment to the BIOS or wherever to allow for the change so that the pc will run right enough for me to do this test?I am, like a lot of folks here, confused and a bit afeared of the 3Gb switch: I have looked at lots of threads and still haven

Forced by possible infection to reinstall XP.Have maxed out min and max levels for paging file so we

If a real-time interactive application (i.e. FSX) is paging, you need more RAM and/or a newer O.S. with better memory management. Since you've got 4GB RAM I'll go with the latter.