October 10, 201411 yr Hello While reading through another post ,I came upon references to the 4gb patch . I have just bought a new PC and have no problems running fs9, it is now running superbly well. However being a simmer I am always keen to take advantage of any tool that might increase performance even more. Would the 4gb patch do this for me? Are there any risks involved ? If there are then I will stick with 'it ain't broke 'mode. Cheers Andy
October 10, 201411 yr IMO, the best "4gb patch" is 64bit OS. [color=#a9a9a9][size=1][size=4][img]http://forum.avsim.net/public/style_images/flags/rs.png[/img][/size] Lj. Prodanovic[/size][/color]
October 10, 201411 yr Author IMO, the best "4gb patch" is 64bit OS. Ah ha! You have answered my question. My new PC is a 64bit OS So I assume I do not need the patch. Cheers Andy
October 10, 201411 yr Your assumption is not completely correct. The 4GB patch will make your executable 'large address aware' and enable the OS to allow up to 4GB of addressing rather than the 2GB which is normal for a 32 bit executable. One of the advantages of running the unpatched FS9 program is that the OS and drivers are loaded differently and this allows the program to use more of the 2GB. Even so, if you are running heavy scenery and aircraft the 4GB patch is a good thing. DJ
October 10, 201411 yr Author Your assumption is not completely correct. The 4GB patch will make your executable 'large address aware' and enable the OS to allow up to 4GB of addressing rather than the 2GB which is normal for a 32 bit executable. One of the advantages of running the unpatched FS9 program is that the OS and drivers are loaded differently and this allows the program to use more of the 2GB. Even so, if you are running heavy scenery and aircraft the 4GB patch is a good thing. DJ Thanks DJ Should I just give it try? I don't want to upset my installation! Cheers Andy
October 10, 201411 yr The patch won't hurt your installation in any way. Simply make a backup copy of FS9.exe and tuck it away and then run the 4GB patch program and point it at the original FS9.exe. It will change 1 bit in the program to a '1' and that's it - all done. There are no changes to be made to the OS. There are a couple of these programs around and I use one called '4gb_patch.exe' - just google and you'll find it. You can use it on any 32 bit Windows application - I even used it on Microsoft Publisher when I didn't have the 64 bit version. DJ
October 10, 201411 yr Author The patch won't hurt your installation in any way. Simply make a backup copy of FS9.exe and tuck it away and then run the 4GB patch program and point it at the original FS9.exe. It will change 1 bit in the program to a '1' and that's it - all done. There are no changes to be made to the OS. There are a couple of these programs around and I use one called '4gb_patch.exe' - just google and you'll find it. You can use it on any 32 bit Windows application - I even used it on Microsoft Publisher when I didn't have the 64 bit version. DJ Thanks very much for the advice. I may give it a try . Just curious to see if anything occurs. Cheers Andy
October 10, 201411 yr You are quite welcome. I do recommend it because the 64 bit OS gives you the full benefit. You should notice nothing really - after all, that's the point! :smile: DJ
October 11, 201411 yr I have just bought a new PC and have no problems running fs9, it is now running superbly well. However being a simmer I am always keen to take advantage of any tool that might increase performance even more. Personal opinion - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. It is useful if you suffer software crashes through lack of available memory* but if your add-ons don't cause any such issues you really don't need it. It is unlikely to make much difference to visible performance. There is always a risk in tinkering with software, but that is what backups are for. John *Note there is a difference between memory available on your computer and memory available (i.e. usable) to FS2004 My co-pilot's name is Sid and he's a star! http://www.adventure-unlimited.org
October 11, 201411 yr Author Personal opinion - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. It is useful if you suffer software crashes through lack of available memory* but if your add-ons don't cause any such issues you really don't need it. It is unlikely to make much difference to visible performance. There is always a risk in tinkering with software, but that is what backups are for. John *Note there is a difference between memory available on your computer and memory available (i.e. usable) to FS2004 Hello John I now agree with you. Having done a bit of internet nosing concerning this patch,I have definitely reached the conclusion that IIAB is the best course of action. Thanks to all who provided info concerning this subject. Cheers Andy
October 14, 201411 yr I just installed the 4GB Patch in FS9 without any trouble. The difference is very significant. Previously laggy scenery areas are now lag and stutter free. And in one instance (the Isle of Wight), previous susceptibility to freezing with GPS showing seems to have been cured. Thank you NT Core!
October 15, 201411 yr Horatio (or Mr Socks if you prefer) B) Despite any fear mongering you might have read ...... the bottom line is that FS is a 32bit application and when it was made it was designed to use a max of 2gigs of Ram......as hardware and software became better they implemented a 64bit operating system..... which, among other things, allows programs to use more than 2 gigs of ram......the 4gig patch allows your 32 bit FS install to access 4 gigs of Ram when you run your game instead of 2igs......that is ALL that it does I found the 4 gig patch to be VERY helpful in stabilizing my FS9 install .....I've always been very confused why there seems to be quite a few people that are so adamantly defiant against the benefits of this extremely simple but effective fix.....that helps older software make use of newer hardware, it's that simple ......it's not voodoo magic....it's common sense. Why anyone would stubbornly insist that it's better to run a program like FS on 2gigs of Ram, than running it on 4 gigs is beyond comprehension........ it just doesn't add up. If it aint broke don't fix it..?? my car runs just fine in second gear.....why in the world would I bother to go into a higher gear?.....who knows what could happen?....I heard that one guy who went up into one of those higher gears actually got a speeding ticket for going too fast!! :rolleyes: That's my 2 cents Cheers Romflyer
October 15, 201411 yr Unnecessary meddling often leads to problems, whether in FS or with your car - but your comparison is irrelevant because your car would have been supplied with more than two gears when new. But if you modify your car by increasing the number of gears available (to get more speed) you could run into problems such as braking and adhesion abilities. I wasn't "stubbornly insisting" on anything. Some people benefit from the patch because they have a large number of add-ons. Many do not have as many add-ons and do not experience issues. Horatio seems to fall into the latter category. John My co-pilot's name is Sid and he's a star! http://www.adventure-unlimited.org
October 15, 201411 yr Author John and Romflyer Interesting discussion. I don't drive by the way. For the moment I lean towards John's point of view. And will not try the patch . I have always been a tinkerer. Tinkering had got me into a lot of trouble over the years. I shall resist in this case. Thanks to all Andy PS can this patch be uninstalled if you decide to try it and are not happy The urge to tinker is pulling hard.
October 16, 201411 yr PS can this patch be uninstalled if you decide to try it and are not happy No, but back up your FS9.exe file, because the patch modifies the code in that file only. You will probably see absolutely no improvement, but YMMV.
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