Vista - Get Vista to not recognize RAM

Is there any way I can get Vista to not recognize a gigabyte of RAM? I'm having trouble with a game and I hear that to fix it you can't have more than 3 GB of RAM, and I have 2 2GB sticks of RAM and I don't want to run my system on 2GB. Anyone have any suggestions?

I think your confused.
32-Bit OS's can't use more than 3GB RAM.
If you want only 3GB Ram you are forced to open your case and remove a stick.

Hi, cypherx82, and welcome to the forums.

As noted in the sticky at the top of the forum, details are needed. Just saying that 'a game' cannot run with more than 3 GB of RAM is hardly enough information. System specifications, the game in question ,and some links showing that the game is *absolutely* limited to 3 GB of RAM would be helpful to start with.s

Hi cipherx82 and welcome to the forums

To change this, you need to alter a setting in your system configuration. To do this, click the start orb and type 'msconfig' into the search box and press enter/return. After providing administrative credentials, the 'System Configuration' utility appears. Click the 'Boot' tab and then click 'Advanced options...'. On this page, ensure that the check box next to 'Maximum memory:' is checked (DOES have a tick in it) and input '3072' (3GB) for the memory amount. Click 'OK' twice and then reboot your system for changes to take effect. Simply repeat the procedure, but remove the tick from the check box if you wish to revert, which, since you are running 64-bit, you will. It could be that you need a patch for the game to enable it to be able to execute with more than 3GB of RAM present - you will need to check the game manufacturer's website and forums for this information (if available).

Thanks for the warm welcome.

I have looked into this thoroughly and it is a widely recognized flaw in the expansion pack of Star Wars: Empire at War, Forces of Corruption. The problem is that the game was only tested on Windows XP SP2 (it was released in like 2006), so this problem was never realized. Some people had these "quick fixes" which consisted of modifying game files which didn't work for me. MAny people were saying they removed some RAM and it worked fine. I also saw one guy say he went to "System Config" and set the computer to boot with only 3 GB of RAM, and I didn't know how to do what he was talking about, so I came here.

I realize what you guys are saying about me posting the game and my system specs, but this is my first post and I didn't read the sticky like I should have.

So thanks! I'll try this tomorrow, I'm pretty tired.

Well, the one guy who went to system config did exactly as Dwarf stated. Give that a whirl, and if it works for the game, just remember that this is something you'll need to change back and forth (assuming you want use of all your RAM when not playing the game), but if I remember correctly, this can also be set in the Boot config file so you would select which Vista to boot into - the one using all RAM or the one using limited RAM - and then you would not have to run the System Configuration utility every time to change, just reboot and pick which one you want.

Well my keyboard doesn't start working until Vista starts up, so I couldn't do that anyway.

That is not good - but modern computers should have the ability to run USB KBs before Vista starts, unless yours is a different issue.

No I'm pretty sure it's my keyboard. It's a Razer Lycosa. I think the Configurator for it has to be running before it works. They keys don't even light up before Vista starts.

Hi cypherx82,

It sounds as though 'Legacy USB' hasn't been enabled in your BIOS. To fix this, restart your PC and enter the BIOS (refer to your motherboard manual for details). You might temporarily need to plug in a PS/2 keyboard whilst you do this. Look through the options available, and set both keyboard and mouse 'Legacy USB' as 'Enabled'. Then exit, saving changes. If your PC doesn't have PS/2 capability, then try resetting the BIOS (see manual). I cannot understand why BIOSes still include this option if there is no facility for other than USB keyboards and mice on the m/b. Fortunately, the default setting is usually 'Enabled', so resetting the BIOS should work.