The virtual address space of processes and applications is still limited to 2 GB, unless the /3GB switch is used in the Boot.ini file. The following example shows how to add the /3GB parameter in the Boot.ini file to enable application memory tuning:
Hello to all I am using a 3GB switch.with NEi Nastran
Blow is how to switch your Win Xp OS to take advantage of 3GB of memory. there is more info in the following link from microsoft, but all you relly have to do is add "/3GB"
at the end of the last line in the boot.ini (tis is a hidden file-to see it, go to: explorer/tools/folder/options/view/and un tick tthe "hide protected operating system files "field.
what i recommend is to copy the last line to a new line and add the switch to that line, then when you boot up you will get a choice of which memory setting to use.
below is a copy of my boot.ini
[boot loader]
time out=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP 3 GB version" /3GB
it works with the latest version of NEI nastran.if you dont have it use the automatic update function to download it