CompuServe Thread

#The 64MB Barrier?

20 messages in this thread
#96800From: DAN DEVLINApr 12, 1994 8:32 PM
Greetings from Cardiff by the Sea, CA…We are currently trying to run 3-D Studio on a Pentium based system with 128 MB of RAM, without much luck. I know. Why in the world would we need that much RAM! Well, we have these somewhat large project files (6-7MB) with alot of reflection maps and lights. After installing our 4 pricy 32MB SIMMS we discovered that our C-MOS will count the 128MB but only reports 64MB of memory under C-Mos setup. DOS "mem" reports 64MB available, while "Norton Utilities" will see 64MB as "extended" and 64MB as "expanded" Meanwhile, 3-D Studio reports 64MB available. Futhermore, we have tried stripping all memory managers and have not gained anything…Will QEMM work?? Please send HELP!!!! Dan Devlin E-Mail Address: 70674,2455
#96813From: Gus GrubbaApr 12, 1994 9:37 PM
Are you sure your computer will address more than 64Meg? This is somewhat trivial. You should be able to just add the memory and see the "memory count" go all the way to 128M (being able to use that later is another story and _that_ has to do with memory manager, not while booting). Check your CMOS setup program (manuals?) for settings and limitations. Old mother boards used to have some jumpers in order to tell how much memory you have installed (I doubt a Pentium mother board was done that way). What computer is this? Do you have their tech support line? How about the manuals? Do they say anything about adding memory? P.S. 128 Megs ain't that strange in this neck of the woods. Some folks are running 256Megs.
#96957From: DAN DEVLINApr 13, 1994 6:37 PM
Gus; Thanks for the reply…. This is a AMI Excalibur P60 that claims to support 128 MB… And we do see it "count up" at boot time…We contacted AMI tech support and they say "it's a DOS limitation" and that a Windows NT or OS2 enviornment will "see" and be able to use it… How are people running 256MB??? We have tried QEMM 7.2…Current status only indicates 64MB available! signed; RAMbunctious
#96977From: John EllisApr 13, 1994 8:11 PM
Did you get your system from Decision Vision? Hi! yes, I'm in your neck of the woods. It sounds like a platform they would sell, but I'm suprised that they wouldn't be giving you the support. Who was your dealer? -JE
#97112From: CSA/CAApr 14, 1994 12:29 PM
John, Were you aware that Decision Vision was purchased by American Media Inc. (startup from Joel Sher, who used to head Autodesk's Multimedia Sales before he became president of HumanCAD)? Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
#97149From: John EllisApr 14, 1994 3:34 PM
>> Where you aware that Decision Vision was purchased by American Media Inc. .. startup from Joel Sher… << Yes I was, if you've got any insight you'd like to share on this I'd be interested. (e-mail) Thanks, -JE
#97176From: CSA/CAApr 14, 1994 7:49 PM
John, Heck, I wasn't trying to be insightful! Its just an offer we turned down. Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
#97186From: John EllisApr 14, 1994 8:49 PM
Kevin, >> Its just an offer we turned down. << Well at the risk of being blunt, be glad you did. <g> -JE
#97187From: John EllisApr 14, 1994 8:49 PM
>> Heck, I wasn't trying to be insightful! << So then why did you mention it. <g> -JE
#97304From: CSA/CAApr 15, 1994 12:34 PM
John, I just thought you might like to know that the rules had changed. So, OK, I might know what's going ON, but I'm not sure I know what any of it MEANS <g>. Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
#97336From: John EllisApr 15, 1994 4:22 PM
>> So, OK, I might know what's going ON, but I'm not sure I know what any of it MEANS <g>. That makes two of us. <BG> -JE
#97468From: James M. MurphyApr 16, 1994 4:32 PM
Kevin, >> So, OK, I might know what's going ON, but I'm not sure I know what any of it MEANS <g>. << Can We Quote you on that? <g> Murph'
#97166From: DAN DEVLINApr 14, 1994 5:18 PM
John; We had ATS computers in San Diego build it..right now were pretty pissed off at them considering they sold us the system claiming the board would carry 256MB RAM…they have been pretty useless so far…we talked directly to AMI and got the "DOS limitation" speech…Do you have any config/hardware suggestions??? Thanks; DD
#97185From: John EllisApr 14, 1994 8:42 PM
Dan, Himem.sys will only allow access to 64MB of memory. I would suggest you purchase a Memory Manager like QEMM as Gus suggested. I find it very interesting that ATS didn't have a solution for you. I called them just out of curiousity to see what they would say and as you said they didn't have an answer. Just goes to show there's a lot more seemingly esoteric knowledge around here than you find even at an AMI dealership. QEMM runs around $55 so it won't break the bank. <g> -JE
#97231From: James M. MurphyApr 15, 1994 2:38 AM
DAN!! I missed the fact that you bought AST! Is this Correct?? For your information If you plan on Purchasing an EISA version of the AST Machine with plans to add the Matrox Illuminator Pro and MAX combination I've been warned by Matrox that the AST Does NOT support "Type C Burst" Which is required for that level of use. Knowing that much I'd see if I could get my money back if I were you. I suppose I'll hear about this from other forum members….AS it's not an EISA machine but if their EISA machine doesn't support critical high-end functions then what little surprises are in store for you regarding this one?? <g> Just my Two Cents worth? Murph'
#97235From: John TissavaryApr 15, 1994 3:14 AM
If you're running QEMM, have you tried telling it SPECIFICALLY how much RAM you've got on the board? Check your manual on how to do that. If you don't have QEMM, try it out. John Tissavary (LUNA cie)
#96981From: Gus GrubbaApr 13, 1994 8:31 PM
Ok, if the BIOS is counting the 128M you're half way there. The statement "it's a DOS limitation" isn't quite right. First of all, DOS can only address a single megabyte. That said, anything beyond that isn't going to be used by DOS at all. The old HIMEM.SYS (the one in Windows 3.1) is limited to 16 or 64 megabytes (depending which version you have). The new HIMEM.SYS included with Windows for Workgroups doesn't have that limitation. QUEMM has the same problem but you can override that by telling it how much memory you got (you do that by adding EMB=131072 at the QEMM command line). I have 72M in one of my machines and I don't have to do anything special to access that. Do either of the above and let me know if you still can't access 128M from 3D Studio.
#97319From: DAN DEVLINApr 15, 1994 3:06 PM
Gus, We will try it and get back to you,.. Thanks Dan
#96821From: Yost GroupApr 12, 1994 10:03 PM
Gus is the expert, here. He's who _I_ go to with questions like that! – G
#96868From: Joe MacRaeApr 13, 1994 9:37 AM
Sheesh……Dan, I found five copies of this same message on the forum. I can understand that you may be upset in the fact that your BIOS setup isn't working for all the RAM in the machine, but just one message will get you the necessary responses you might need. I've taken three of the duplicates off the board and left the other duplicate that also has responses. BTW….I've also moved both messages and their replies to section 6 which is where we deal with hardware problems.