Microsoft issues significant fix for Vista graphics memory overflows

Vikingod · Aug 30, 2007, 02:15 PM

Source: Ars Technica
Hotfix: Microsoft
__________
"Out of Memory" errors conjure up dark reminders of DOS and the 640 KB limit, but that's exactly what some Windows Vista users have been experiencing when running some of the latest games. The hard limit of a 4GB address space—split in 32-bit Windows operating systems into 2GB for the OS and 2GB for each application—was getting filled up because of a bug in Vista's handling of virtualized graphics card memory. Now, Microsoft has issued a hotfix for the problem that, at least in initial testing, appears to fix the Out of Memory errors. The hotfix is still considered to be "under testing" and so will not end up in Windows Update, although it will almost certainly be part of Vista SP1. But what caused the problem in the first place?

Vikingod · Aug 30, 2007, 04:26 PM

Found this as well...

Quote:

Microsoft® has made available the following Windows Vista® hotfixes. NVIDIA recommends that its customers always stay up to date with the latest hotfixes from Microsoft.

The following hotfixes are recommended for GeForce 6, 7, and 8 series customers running 3D applications on Microsoft Windows Vista:

1) Hotfix for GeForce customers running DirectX 9 and DirectX 10 applications:
Virtual address space usage in Windows game development. This hotfix resolves abnormal application behavior such as crashes and extremely low frame rates when running some 3D applications at very high graphics settings. This issue is not limited to, but has been most commonly noticed on high-end graphics cards and the following applications: Battlefield 2, Battlefield 2142, Civilization IV, Company of Heroes, Half-Life 2, Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth II, Supreme Commander, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas.

In order for this hotfix to be effective, GeForce customers must also update to the latest ForceWare Release 163.44 drivers.

2) Hotfix for SLI customers running DirectX 10 applications:
When a DirectX 10 application runs on a Windows Vista-based computer that has multiple graphics cards, the computer does not use the secondary graphics card. This hotfix resolves occurrences of low frame rates on some DirectX 10 applications when SLI is enabled. Performance improvements will vary depending on the application and the graphics driver version.

I will be trying this tonight as several of these problems are the main reason I didn't want to use Vista as my main OS. Could be good news for people in similar situations.

Tipstaff · Aug 30, 2007, 09:21 PM

First time I ever booted up Vista, and enabled Dream Scene, this was the first error I ever received with Vista. It was definitely not a promising start.

Zelig · Aug 30, 2007, 09:23 PM

So this must be 32-bit only...

Noticed a pile of new x64 patches on windows update a couple days ago though, some of them related to performance.

Alistair · Aug 30, 2007, 09:34 PM

It affects 64-bit installs too. They make mention that 64-bit programs themselves should be fine. If you run 64-bit but using some 32-bit software (most games), the problem may exist. I know it does for me with EverQuest II.

Vikingod · Aug 31, 2007, 02:20 AM

MY GOD, FINALLY!!!

This patch has fixed my gaming issues with vista. I get about 10 fps better with Vista in bioshock than I did with XP x64. I can actually up the resolution and still get better frame rates. I'm off to run a few tests to see if its widespread, but this is really amazing so far.

edit: its official, all the games I play run as well or better due to this patch

BioShock (runs better)
Guild Wars
HL2
COH
FEAR (better)
Oblivion (better)

Da_Jewish_Fonzy · Aug 31, 2007, 08:27 AM

Nice! Some good Vista news for a change.

Intelman · Sep 12, 2007, 04:08 PM

FEAR was noticeably worse on Vista, I'm glad to see that someone had an improvement.

Kazeko · Sep 19, 2007, 08:54 AM

Fixed crashing problems for me in BF2 and HL2.

Aug 30, 2007, 02:15 PM	#1
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,197 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Microsoft issues significant fix for Vista graphics memory overflows Source: Ars Technica Hotfix: Microsoft __________ "Out of Memory" errors conjure up dark reminders of DOS and the 640 KB limit, but that's exactly what some Windows Vista users have been experiencing when running some of the latest games. The hard limit of a 4GB address space—split in 32-bit Windows operating systems into 2GB for the OS and 2GB for each application—was getting filled up because of a bug in Vista's handling of virtualized graphics card memory. Now, Microsoft has issued a hotfix for the problem that, at least in initial testing, appears to fix the Out of Memory errors. The hotfix is still considered to be "under testing" and so will not end up in Windows Update, although it will almost certainly be part of Vista SP1. But what caused the problem in the first place?

Aug 30, 2007, 09:21 PM	#3
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 191 System Specs	First time I ever booted up Vista, and enabled Dream Scene, this was the first error I ever received with Vista. It was definitely not a promising start. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Aug 30, 2007, 09:23 PM	#4
Zelig HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 3,187 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	So this must be 32-bit only... Noticed a pile of new x64 patches on windows update a couple days ago though, some of them related to performance. __________________ --

Aug 30, 2007, 09:34 PM	#5
Alistair Spoos Join Date: May 2002 Location: State College, PA, USA Posts: 435 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	It affects 64-bit installs too. They make mention that 64-bit programs themselves should be fine. If you run 64-bit but using some 32-bit software (most games), the problem may exist. I know it does for me with EverQuest II. __________________ - Alistair

Aug 31, 2007, 02:20 AM	Thread Starter #6
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,197 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	MY GOD, FINALLY!!! This patch has fixed my gaming issues with vista. I get about 10 fps better with Vista in bioshock than I did with XP x64. I can actually up the resolution and still get better frame rates. I'm off to run a few tests to see if its widespread, but this is really amazing so far. edit: its official, all the games I play run as well or better due to this patch BioShock (runs better) Guild Wars HL2 COH FEAR (better) Oblivion (better) Last edited by Vikingod; Aug 31, 2007 at 02:57 AM.

Aug 31, 2007, 08:27 AM	#7
Da_Jewish_Fonzy Me>You Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Da Hood Posts: 507 Rep Power: 0	Nice! Some good Vista news for a change.

Sep 12, 2007, 04:08 PM	#8
Intelman DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 15 Rep Power: 0	FEAR was noticeably worse on Vista, I'm glad to see that someone had an improvement.

Sep 19, 2007, 08:54 AM	#9
Kazeko DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 174 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Fixed crashing problems for me in BF2 and HL2.