Windows XP 3GB Switch

I am still running the 32 bit version of Windows XP, and with Windows only utilizing 2GB of my memory for applications, I have always had just barely enough memory for Cubase and all my virtual instruments and plugins.

Several weeks ago I finally got around to updating Cubase to version 5.5.0; this update must take up slightly more memory because immediately after updating, I didn't have enough memory to load the virtual instruments I wanted to use (several EastWest plugins would not load).

This seemed like it was the point where I would *have* to upgrade to Windows 7 to take advantage of addressing memory larger than 2GB (I currently have 4GB installed in my computer). After some research, I found that Windows XP has a switch that can be set in the boot environment that allows applications to use up to 3GB of memory. I configured this option in my boot.ini file and behold: No more memory issues (for now anyway).

I will still probably update to Windows 7 fairly soon, but it's no long an urgent issue. To make this change to Windows, follow these steps:

1. Click "Start", right click on "My Computer" and select "Properties."
2. Go the the "Advanced" tab.
3. Click "Settings" under the "Startup and Recovery" section.
4. Under "System Startup" click the "Edit" button next to "To edit startup options file manually, click Edit".
5. Add "/3GB" on the line that looks similar to:

   multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect /3GB

6. Reboot.