Windows 7: How do I boot Windows 7 X64 with 2 different memory configurations?

Hi,



I know there's an option to "tell" windows to use less memory that it have by configuring the MSconfig.
But is there a way to create dual boot with 2 memory configurations?
One with 4GB and the second with 8GB?

Thanks.

Me

I'm guessing that it's possible to limit the memory Windows used through the BCD store (where the boot manager looks for operating systems to start). If yes, this should be possible by creating two boot entries to the same OS but with different memory settings.

I'm not sure about the details, but try googling the bcdedit command - it's not terribly hard to use once you grasp the concept behind it, but of course extreme care is advised, lest you make your system unbootable instead.

But I'm sure someone else will be able to help you further with this

Welcome to the Forums, 007me!

To be honest I am not sure what would be the point of such construction even if it were possible (I can think of only one way to do that - create a dual boot system and then use msconfig in one of them to limit the memory usage) - I can't see how more memory can hurt anything. If you have 8 GB, my advice is to just use it.

If you have something particular in mind, please let us know, so that we can help you.

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

Is there any particular reason as to why you'd want to do this?

You could, of course, dual boot with 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7. With the 32-bit version you'd automatically be restricted to 3.25 GB of RAM, regardless of how much you've got installed.

The issue is that I have a capture card with capture software called Hauppauge Win TV PVR, and limitation is that it's working only with less than 4GB memory and I wouldn't like to install another copy of Win 7 or XP just for that.

And thank you all for the warm welcomes, of course...

I just had a look at this page: WinTV for Windows 7

I'm under the impression that it isn't the software that's limited to less than 4GB, but the hardware (the PCI card). If I'm right (I suspect the idea is to prevent the card from mapping its I/O space above the first 4GB), then you'll have to rely on the BIOS to limit the available RAM before even booting into Windows.

Whether it's the hardware or its associated software that has this limitation, I would think an upgrade is in order as this limitation is simply a sign of dated hardware/software and doesn't make much sense.

I can't think of any other solution except maybe running the software in compatibility mode for XP or earlier. Doubt that'll do it, though.

Well, you are right, it's the HW limitation, but it's a good card and doing a great work, that's why I'm trying to find how to manipulate the Windows.