Running Out of Memory

This page contains instructions for 32-bit Windows users who need to increase the amount of accessible address space for X-Plane. You only need to follow these instructions if X-Plane takes you to this page on startup. This procedure does not apply to 64-bit Windows (which always provides X-Plane with the 4 GB of address space, or Mac/Linux (where there is no way to customize the address space.)

The primary reason for extending the size of virtual memory in Windows XP/Vista 2GB systems is to prevent X-Plane crashes when too many graphics features are selected. Even default rendering options settings can be too robust for some systems on initial startup of X-Plane 10. Before performing any of the procedures below look at the log.txt file found in the main X-Plane 10 folder. Ascertain that virtual memory is set at” Maximum Virtual Memory (for X-Plane only): 2147352576” ) before increasing virtual memory to 3GB.

= Increase 32 Bit Windows XP/Vista Virtual Memory To 3 GB Virtual Memory =

Process to increase virtual memory to 3GB for 32 bit Windows XP only. (Missteps can lead to system instability.) (This procedure for increasing 32 bit Windows XP virtual memory adapted from    HYPERLINK "http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289022" http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289022)

Always Save a Backup Copy of Boot.ini Prior to Editing Edit the Boot.ini File To view and edit the Boot.ini file (after seeing before and after sample below): This is a sample of a default Boot.ini file from a 32 bit Windows XP Home Edition computer. [boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn This is the same Boot.ini file above only modified for virtual memory extension to 3 GB: [boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn /3GB Open the Boot.ini File to Verify Changes Reboot Windows for the changes to take effect.
 * Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
 * On the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery.
 * Under System Startup, click Edit. This opens the file in Notepad ready for editing.
 * In Notepad, click File on the Menu bar, and then click Save As.
 * Right click in an empty area of the Save As dialog box, point to New in the context menu, and then click Folder.
 * Type a name for the new folder, for example temp ini file, and then press the ENTER key to create the folder named temp.
 * Double-click the new folder named temp, and then click the Save button to save a backup copy of the Boot.ini file.
 * Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
 * On the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery.
 * Under System Startup, click Edit.
 * Add space /3GB to end of last line of boot.ini file
 * Click on File>Save>Exit
 * Sample Boot.ini File Before and After Changing To Increase Virtual Memory
 * Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
 * On the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery.
 * Under System Startup, click Edit.
 * Observe change was made correctly
 * If OK, click on File>Exit to exit out of edit mode

Start Up X-Plane, File>Quit, and then look in the X-Plane folder at the log.txt file to verify virtual memory is now 3GB.

= Process to increase virtual memory to 3GB in 32 bit Windows Vista and 32 bit Windows 7 Only. (Use Caution)=

Run with a DOS prompt as the system administrator as follows: BCDEDIT /set increaseuserva 3072 (This can be tricky: There is a space between the ”T /” and “a 3”  )
 * Click on Start
 * Type "cmd" into the search box
 * When the cmd prompt is shown, right click and pick "run as administrator" ( if not already logged in as Administrator.)
 * The DOS screen appears 5. At the end of the prompt type:
 * Type “Exit” to exit the script
 * Restart Windows (the change takes effect on restart).

If BCDEDIT gives you the error message "Error reads "The boot configuration data store could not be opened. Access is denied.", be sure that you ran the DOS prompt in administrator mode by right-clicking on cmd and picking "run as administrator."

Start up X-Plane, File>Quit, and then look in the X-Plane folder at the log.txt file to verify virtual memory is now 3GB