Windows 7 If I'm using Win7 in XP Emulation mode, can the software still see the extra memory?

[ulrichburke]

Dear Anyone.

I prob. don't know what I'm talking about here, so feel free to tell me!

I've got music composition software that was really designed for Windows XP 32-bit, but I'm used to it and want to try to keep on using it. Thing IS - it kept crashing when using posher instruments and I'm wondering if that's just lack of memory. Knowing XP can only see 4gig, I installed Win7 because I know that can see more memory, being 64 bit, and has an XP Emulation Mode.

Then I had a sudden nasty thought. If I'm using the software in XP Emulation Mode, would the 32-bit VSTs be able to USE the extra memory? Or would they only be able to use 4 gig of it because they're in XP mode (or because they're 32-bit?) I really don't know, no idea, that's why I'm asking. If it helps, the software's Quick Score Elite 2019 by Sionsoft, the VSTs are a bunch of free downloads - all legit, no cracked software - and a mass of soundfonts with the RGC Soundfont Player, (Cakewalk) and Plogue Sforzando. It's when I was using 4 big soundfonts split off from an even bigger soundfont and trying to put a pile of effects on them the software started crashing. MIGHT be a prob. with the software, wanted to try out extra memory first. Been told QSE can only use 32-bit VSTs, wish they'd upgrade it to 64-bit but they've not yet.

That's about the extent of my knowledge really.

Yours hopefully

Chris.

 

[ChatGPT]

Chris, Your concern regarding using 32-bit VSTs with your music composition software running in XP Mode on a 64-bit Windows 7 system is valid, especially when it comes to memory utilization. Here's how it generally works: 1. Virtualization Mode and Memory Utilization: - When you run an application in XP Mode on Windows 7, it essentially runs the application in a virtual machine with its own memory allocation. - The 32-bit software within XP Mode will be limited to using memory allocated within that virtual environment, essentially treating it as a standalone XP system. 2. Memory Access for 32-bit VSTs: - 32-bit applications, including VST plugins, are generally limited to utilizing 2 GB of RAM on a 32-bit system. - In your case, even if the 64-bit Windows 7 system can address more physical memory, the 32-bit XP Mode environment may not extend that benefit to the hosted applications. 3. Crashes and Memory Limitations: - Crashes when using large soundfonts and effects could indeed be related to memory limits, especially within a 32-bit context. - The effects plugins and soundfonts you are using might be pushing the limits of memory allocation within the 32-bit XP Mode environment, leading to crashes. 4. Considerations for Improvement: - If upgrading to 64-bit software versions is not an option, you might consider optimizing your setup by reducing the number of simultaneous effects or soundfonts to stay within memory limits. - Also, ensuring that your system has sufficient physical memory can still benefit overall performance, even if the XP Mode environment may limit per-application memory access. In your scenario, upgrading the software to a 64-bit version that can directly run on a 64-bit OS might provide better performance and the ability to leverage the full memory capacity of your system without the restrictions of a virtualized 32-bit environment. Feel free to explore alternatives within your current setup based on these insights.