XP Pro questions

I have a quandry and am perched on the horns of a First Class Dilemma. The situation developed like this: My Kodak EZ200 digital camera worked fine in Win98se with 768 MB ram installed. After I upgraded ram to 1 gigabyte, I get a "not enough memory" error.

Everything else still works fine, and I don't want to downgrade my system. Kodak has the software for this camera for XP, so in theory, it should work fine in XP. Now, this camera is not supported by Mandrake Linux (I dualboot).

My dilemma, due more to income and source ($386/month socsec disability), than anything else, is should I get a camera supported by Mandrake, or, go for Win XP Pro???

Before you ask why I have a gig of ram with 98se: I have a ram fetish from the days when SIMMS were very expensive.

I have the opportunity to get either the camera or XP Pro, but, not both. If I can get my current camera working again, great!

I do have some DOS stuff, mostly AD&D Goldbox games, Corridor 7 CDROM, and ZBasic PC/386 compiler (very nice compiler and IDE)

For better understanding and more accurate answers, I have 3 x 60 GB hdds.

I understand that XP Pro can be installed on a different hdd. My current setup is hdd1: win98se, hdd2: mandrake linux, hdd3: win98se.

Can I consolidated 98se onto hdd1 and install XP Pro on hdd3??? This would be for triple booting. If I have to, I can reinstall linux onto hdd3.

If I can get 2 games to function under XP Pro (dos emulation), then I can happily replace 98se and remain in dualboot..

Nagging questions: Can the MS OEM XP Pro be installed with 1 or more OSes already installed?? Can the Upgrade version be installed on a partition or hdd other than the one 98se is installed on??

Sorry for being verbose, but, I do need these questions answered. If you need my systems full hardware load out, do let me know.

Thanks
Charles

 

I think the answers to all your questions is Yes.
Yes, you can get a gig to run easily in XP.
Yes, you can use the DOS emulator for older games.
Yes, you can triple boot...it may take a little fudging with the 'Nix boot loader, although what usually happens is...
After you install XP, the 'nix boot loader will be replaced with the XP one, and you will be able to dual boot 98 and XP.
It is possible that XP will recognize the 'nix partition, and set up the triple boot, but I have no confirmation on this.
Anyhow, a reinstall of Grub or Lilo should get back the triple boot option.
To fix your "Out of mem" error, there is a VCACHE setting you must use in 98. The fix is here: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;253912

I suppose the best answer to your quandry, is that you don't need either XP, nor do you need a new camera. Try the VCACHE fix, and you might be all set.

 

Reboot;

Thank you for the concise answers!!!!! I don't get an OUT of memory error, just a NOT enough memory error. Vcache settings don't do the trick, as I tried that already.

Otherwise, my 98se perks right along and is 100% stable. Helps to have stable hardware.

One question was not answered: can I install XP Pro on my hdd3, or does it have to be hdd2??

Nagging Questions not answered.

 

Sorry, I thought I got that one, anyhow the answer is yes, you can install XP anywhere, on any partition/drive you like.
I still think you can save your money (if you're happy with 98SE) and get the camera to work with a gig.
There's got to be a way.
Maybe start by limiting the actual ram used in 98. Right click my computer, properties, advanced...something...I don't have a 98 machine handy, but I know it's in there somewhere, you can limit the actual usage to 768 (or less).
You could set it up that way to use the cam, and then change it for everything else...It's better than buying something you don't need on a limited/fixed income.

 

Guys, I have already tried everything but removing one dimm. I also use Linux.

Limiting RAM only resets my resolution to 640x480x16 Colors.

I built my system on this income. Takes time, but it is worth it.

Nagging questions are specific to OEM full XP Pro and the upgrade versions, not retail full XP Pro.

Some programs in 98se do use available ram, like Thumbs Plus!.

As it stands now, I have an upgrade to do: Mandrake Linux 9.1 Powerpack Edition subscription cd set arrived on wednesday.

My options are limited. Please answer remaining questions.

Now I am down to: Camera or XP Pro??

 

PeteC;

My video card, is an ATI XPert 2000 Pro AGP that I purchased myself via eBay. I used it with the Gigabyte socket A mobo that I had, then ported it to my current setup.

My expenses are such that I can afford to one or the other option next month.

The camera would be the least expensive option (at the moment). Both of these things are listed on eBay, and the camera is a buy it now reserve auction (new in box). So I can't be sure that I will be able to get it.

So I am exploring the other option of XP Pro.

The Camera is $88.99 with shipping.
Full XP Pro is $143.00 with shipping.

I have deducted ALL of my expenses for June and these are well within my 'disposable' portion.

Note 1: My EZ200 camera does NOT have a flash, but the DC3200 above, does.

Note 2: The camera would be my option of choice, though it would be working in Linux only at this point.

Note 3: If I get XP Pro and get my current camera working again, then I can bide my time and get something much better in the camera department.

Removing 1 ram module would mean that I have to re-install Win98se AND Mandrake Linux all over again. I have not emailed kodak support, as the error message is from Win98se, not Kodak's software. The problem is NOT the camera itself: that works. What doesn't work, is accessing the camera from win98se.

I am bound and determined to keep my full Gig of RAM, and want to build up to 2 GB ram and three 120 GB hdds (that will take about 5 months to do). If I get the camera first, the it will be 6 months before I install XP Pro, since I want to have my hardware up to snuff before then (avoid reduced functionality mode).

What was I thinking when I got a camera without a flash??

 

Hi Arie! Lol! As I said in my original post, I have a RAM Fetish. Comes from the days when 30 pin SIMMs were so expensive, that I could only afford barely enough to run Doom and it was jerky (5 MB total).

 

I'm confused.
Why would taking out one dimm limit your resolution?
What's system RAM got to do with that?
Your video card handles res...

Nothing wrong with OEM XP Pro. You don't need the fancy box, nor MS's support, you have this (and other) forums for tech support.
OEM at newegg is super cheap, with the purchase of a mouse, cable, or just about any other little piece of hardware.

If you're totally happy with 98, keep it and get the cam.

2gig of RAM is redundant, even in XP. Unless you're a professional draftsman, and running huge cad/cam software, you don't need it. XP will run nicely in 512, slightly faster with a gig, beyond that is a waste (in most cases).
I understand your fetish for RAM. I started when RAM came in single chips, you had to solder/mount them yourself, and needed to buy 8 at one time to get 1k (and later 4k), costing well over $100.
64k of RAM would take up a full drawer, and cost over $6400.00

 

Well, I did get the camera working again. Had to set the vcache maxfilesize to 128 MB, since 512 MB did not work.

Now I am out of 'near' panic mode, and can do a leisurely upgrade, including saving up for a better camera.

Thanks for all the help, everyone.

Reboot, I remember buying ram expansion boards and chipsets for the Tandy 2000 I had. Those were 9 per bank and 2 banks, as it was a true 16 bit system (80186).

 

Sarissi - there is a good technical reason for your getting low memory warnings/errors with 98. I don't remember just what they are but they made sense when I read them.

I do remember that RAM over 512Mb with 9X/ME was a bad idea and would cause problems. If you want more information, take a look at "Out of Memory" Error Messages with Large Amounts of RAM Installed.

 

Well, I used MaxFileSize=131072 and it worked. Go figure.