Windows 7/Planetside 2 Help

[ManyMiniMinotaurs]

I've been playing Planetside 2 for a little while now and have this recurring issue with crashes. Sometimes it'll be in the middle of a big battle which is understandable. But sometimes the game will crash when I try to enter or resupply at a Sunderer. I checked on Can You Run It? and the only thing I failed was the RAM requirements. I'm currently running on Windows XP and it will only detect a certain amount of ram, in my case 3GB. So my friend recommended I upgrade to Windows 7 but I couldn't find a copy that wasn't the OEM version. The only version I did find was for $200 on Newegg.com which is a bit out of my budget at the moment. So basically I was wondering if anyone knows a cheaper way or had an unused copy of Windows 7 full (not OEM) I could purchase for hopefully something less than $200. Any help or suggestions on other fixes would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ManyMiniMinotaurs]

I'd like to apologize also for the double post, I got some database error while navigating the website and it became non-responsive.

 

[xosniper]

How much total RAM do you have in the computer? I'm assuming either 4 or 6GB?

I read that SOE said not to run it in 32bit windows, since it will be below the minimum 4GB they recommend for the game. Apparently they go against there "Can you run it" info. They state Win XP 3GB, but then state that 4GB is minimum to run it.

Here is the response from an SOE mod guy "Unfortunately, 32 bit systems only allow the use of a maximum of 3 gigabytes of RAM, despite how many you may have installed. So if you're got 16 gb installed on a 32 bit system, you're still going to only have access to 3 gigs of that memory. You need at least 4 to run the game. Without seeing your DXDIag it's hard to diagnose any more than that, but you're probably going to want to be running at least the minimum specified system requirements. If you'd like a tech to take a look at your system, please contact tech support and submit your MSINFO32 and DXDIAG files. Thanks!!"

So, it might be a 32/64bit problem?

My attempt anyways.

 

[Snipeye]

Please list your computer specs:
CPU
Motherboard
RAM
Graphics Card
Power Supply
Hard Drive

We know you're using Win XP, which is actually being phased out (no longer supported by MS) within a year.

To run Windows 7, 64 bit, you need a 64-bit compatible CPU. Which you should have (this is why you need to post your computer specs).

As for finding a copy of Win 7, here you go.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986
$100

That's the cheapest you will find UNLESS you are a college student and your school's software store may sell it for cheaper, if not free.

@xosniper Small correction, it's actually about 3.5GB of RAM being recognized by Win XP (32-bit). That's why up until about 5, 6 years ago, the sweet spot in RAM was only 4GB (2x2GB). Only when 64 bit CPUs and OS'es were introduced that 8GB (2x4GB) of RAM became the new standard.

 

[Simon]

Also note that you cannot upgrade RAM unless you have a 64-bit processor. It won't recognize it.

We will need to know all your computers specs before going further though

 

[ManyMiniMinotaurs]

Operating System
Microsoft Windows XP Professional 32-bit SP3

CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.40GHz 49 ?C
Kentsfield 65nm Technology
RAM
4.00GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 399MHz (5-5-5-18)

Motherboard
XFX MB-750I-72P9 (CPU 1) 39 ?C

Graphics
L227W (1680x1050@60Hz)
1024MB GeForce GTX 550 Ti (EVGA) 41 ?C

Hard Drives
466GB Western Digital WDC WD50 00AAKS-00A7B SCSI Disk Device (SATA) 37 ?C

Audio
NVIDIA High Definition Audio

Ultra X4 Modular power supply, something like 800 watts I think (been years since I worked on my computer)

 

[ManyMiniMinotaurs]

Also, I was considering upgrading my RAM in combination with upgrading to Windows 7. But I wanted to see if my mobo could take DDR3 RAM instead of DDR2. How do I check into this? I've googled my motherboard and read a little about it but don't see clearly that I can or cannot use DDR3.

EDIT* I did just find Newegg's information on my mobo saying it took 240 pin RAM, and I found a DDR3 8gb bundle that says it's 240 pin. Even though the "Memory Standard" for my motherboard says DDR2 would the DDR3 work? Sorry for so many questions but I've grown ignorant to this stuff over time.

EDIT2* Again sorry for the hundreds of questions but I was also pondering getting Windows 8 since it's brand new, easier to find, and in some cases a little cheaper than the Windows 7 versions I've found. But I've not heard a lot of good things from gamers about windows 8 as it seems to be solely focused on social media type interaction (more like a smartphone/tablet than a gaming rig). Can anyone with experience with Windows 8 shed some light on this for me?

 

[fetterEsel]

Your motherboard cannot take DDR3, DDR2 and DDR3 have complete different spacings for where the slot is inserted. DDR3 is also much faster.

 

[Snipeye]

DO NOT GET WINDOWS 8. You sound like an Apple fanboi; get the latest thing because it's the newest thing... Newer does not mean it's better. It's best as a touchscreen OS. Which has no place with most of us gamers.

Listen to fetter; you cannot use DDR3. If you try to use DDR3 when it can only use DDR2. Well, want to find out what a short-out can do to a PC system? Hint: It means frying the motherboard at the very least.