Too much RAM makes computer run slower?

[ablang]

I seem to remember reading that if someone is using anything other than NT, 2000, or XP, that their computer runs slower if more than 512MB RAM is installed.

Is this true?

[HeadBand]

i havn't heard slower but i have heard that it will have problems (never tried it though) i think there might be some patch though

[osprey4]

Normally, neither Windows 98 nor ME will run on more than 512 MB of RAM. However, I've seen a registry tweak you can use to trick the system into believing there is only 512 MB, even if you have more.

[StealthyV]

on older systems too, you have to update the BIOS to recognize sticks with more than 256mb...my Mini-ITX puter doesn't currently recognize my 512mb stick, and thinks it's 256. I have to update the bios (using a floppy drive, and hmm...no fdd connector on my mobo...gonna have to sacrifice a cd-r disc) before I am able to use all 512mb sd-ram.

oh, and I'm currently running Win98 too. it sucks...I can't find my win2k pro cd, so I have to use either win95 (noo!!!) or win98SE until I do.

~Branson

[DoctorReno]

The problem with "too much" memory in any of the 9x OS's is that the virtual cache settings will be incorrect above 512MB RAM. You can easily correct these settings and the 9x OS's will run higher amounts just fine.
The directions to make the changes can be posted if you want.

[paul9]

Quote:

Originally Posted by osprey4

Normally, neither Windows 98 nor ME will run on more than 512 MB of RAM. However, I've seen a registry tweak you can use to trick the system into believing there is only 512 MB, even if you have more.

768 mb on windows me and it runs ok. works ok on 98se as well, no registry tweaking, i do usually set a fixed swapfile size, but haven't this time since i put an 80gb maxtor drive in.

[DoctorReno]

I'm pretty certain the issue is not a reg tweak but rather the virtual cache tweaks I mentioned above.
StealthyV: there are a couple of reasons that your system does not recognize the 512Mb module: 1) Your mother board was not designed to recognize anything bigger than 256MB per memory slot. 2) Ther is an issue of density on the memory module, in other words how many chips are on the module to achieve the quantity of RAM. Newer menory modules can have as few as 2 chips versus older modules that needed say 16 chips to get the value. It's kinda lengthy to explain but older systems can't recognize all of the memory available from a module if the density is to high.

You may be correct that this is a BIOS issue but that will be a new on on me. If you want post your MoBo model and also the 512 modules model # and it should be a quick thing to figure out why only 256 is recognized.