Possible Boss Fix: allow maplestory to consume even more memory!

Vista+

presuming one is already familiar with maplestory's bad memory eating habits, let me present to you what has allowed me to satisfy them: FEED IT MOAR(cliches end here, i pramise,) at least in the sense of increasing the limit of RAM maplestory is allowed to consume. of course, this is also means that one can only going extend the amount of time before maplestory inevitably crashes, but within that given time frame, you may, just..may be able finally complete a boss run!

first, have a look at my laptop's specs.

 blargSPECS

Windows: Windows Vista Home Premium Edition Service Pack 2 (Build 6002)
Memory (RAM): 2038 MB
CPU Info: Intel® Core™2 CPU T5500 @ 1.66GHz
CPU Speed: 1661.9 MHz
Display Adapters: Mobile Intel® 945 Express mod. by INTEL 9XX Gaming | Mobile Intel® 945 Express mod.
Monitors: 1x; Dell M570 | Generic PnP Monitor |
Screen Resolution: 1024 X 768 - 32 bit
Network Adapters: Intel® PRO/100 VE Network Connection
Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies LTD
Product Make: VGN-FE880E
BIOS Info: AT/AT COMPATIBLE | 11/24/06 | Sony - 20061124
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time
Motherboard: Sony Corporation VAIO

it seems windows would cap the amount of ram maplestory could consume at 500MB, and once that number was reached, maple would simply close; no errors, no messages. by using the method outlined here, along with disabling my sound driver, i am able to successfully complete barlog runs. unfortunately, i don't know how effective this method is in longer boss fights, but i feel it's worth sharing.

I also preformed a google search on the subject of vista's memory leaks and it seems the information from the wiki is consistent with what this thread is suggesting. spoilers below for both.

Sources:
http://www.prophotowiki.com/w/index.php/...easeUserVa

 Wiki

BCDEdit
While older versions of Windows used a simple text file called boot.ini for their low-level options, Windows Vista uses a new binary configuration file that must be edited by a program called BCDEdit. In addition to IncreaseUserVa, this program allows the user to control a number of other low-level options that will be executed at boot time. BCDEdit is installed automatically with the OS, and can be accessed by launching a DOS prompt from the Start menu.

Activating IncreaseUserVa

Warning: - As mentioned above, please note that activating this switch may prevent the machine from booting properly. As such, make sure that you read through this entire document before following these steps. It is strongly recommended that you write down the instructions in the following section for recovering from a failed boot.

1. Go to the Start menu and type 'cmd' in the search field.
2. When cmd appears in the applications section above, right click on it and select 'Run as Administrator'.
3. If prompted, click 'Allow' to permit elevated permissions on this DOS prompt.
4. When the DOS prompt is shown, type the following to back up the current settings:

Code:

bcdedit /export "C:\BCDBackup"

5. If there were no errors, type the following command:

Code:

bcdedit /Set IncreaseUserVa 3072

6. Once the change has been made, type 'exit' to close the window.
7. Reboot the computer and it will attempt to boot with this setting activated.

In Case of Trouble

If the computer fails to boot after making this change, you likely have a driver that will not function in the standard IncreaseUserVa mode, so you will either have to disable the switch or fine tune the setting. To reverse the change, you will first need to restart the machine in Safe mode. To do this, perform the following steps:

1. As the computer restarts, but before Windows launches press the F8 key to get the boot menu (Windows may do this automatically for you).
2. Highlight the 'Safe Mode' entry with the up and down arrows and press enter to begin booting.
3.Windows will now boot into safe mode, with the IncreaseUserVa switch temporarily disabled.
4. Go to the Start menu and type 'cmd' in the search field.
5. When cmd appears in the applications section above, right click on it and select 'Run as Administrator'.
6. If prompted, click 'Allow' to permit elevated permissions on this DOS prompt.
7. When the DOS prompt is shown, type the following to restore the previous settings:

Code:

bcdedit /import "C:\BCDBackup"

8. Once complete, type 'exit' to close the window.
9. Reboot the computer and it will start up with existing settings.

If you would like to fine-tune the settings, the IncreaseUserVa option allows you to specify an exact amount of memory to allocate to the user mode. To do this, perform the following steps:

1. As the computer restarts, but before Windows launches press the F8 key to get the boot menu (Windows may do this automatically for you).
2. Highlight the 'Safe Mode' entry with the up and down arrows and press enter to begin booting.
3. Windows will now boot into safe mode, with the IncreaseUserVa switch temporarily disabled.
4. Go to the Start menu and type 'cmd' in the search field.
5. When cmd appears in the applications section above, right click on it and select 'Run as Administrator'.
6. If prompted, click 'Allow' to permit elevated permissions on this DOS prompt.
7. To set the amount of memory allocated for user mode, type the following command but replace n with a value between 2048 and 3072:

Code:

bcdedit /Set IncreaseUserVa n

8. Once the change has been made, type 'exit' to close the window.
9. Reboot the computer and it will attempt to boot with this setting activated.

This switch allows you to adjust the exact amount of memory allocated to the user mode, so it can often overcome problems that the standard configuration runs into. There is no guarantee that this will resolve the problem, however, so you may need to return to the standard configuration.

Instability

Note that even if the machine is able to boot with this switch enabled, it can still potentially cause stability issues with the machine. After making this change, users should carefully monitor the stability of the machine to ensure that it has not been adversely effected. While this setting typically causes very obvious symptoms when there is an issue, it does periodically trigger more subtle signs.

I highly suggest preforming the backup mentioned in the wiki, for safety concerns.

http://forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=151331

 relevant thread, yo

Many of us playing AoC are experiencing various issues with the game in crashing.

We have found a few fixes of merrit:
1. Grey screen of death in vista:
If you want to make accessible 3GB RAM for your CAD applications in Windows Vista, use the BCDedit.exe tool (Boot Configuration Data Editor). The 3GB RAM mode can be enabled by the command:

bcdedit /set IncreaseUserVa 3072

Run this command from a command window with Administrator priviledge - i.e. (in the Start menu) type CMD and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter,
or select "Command Prompt" (Accessories), right-click on it and choose "Run as Administrator".
Restart your PC after this change.

now, off to barlog some more!

Thank you, this worked wonders for me. I don't get graphics glitches every hour anymore, and I got through Scar/Targa and cleared the dojo for a first time in a while. Now to see if it stands up to zak

That controls Virtual Memory, not physical memory.

You can do the same by setting Virtual Memory in Advanced System > Performance Settings > Advanced Tab > Change Virtual Memory and setting the system to Automatic Allocation of the Swap File.

That's the default.

My mistake. No biggie. However, XP usually presets swap space to a defined range rather than automatic by default. I forgot Vista and 7 have this automated now.

I wonder if this might have anything to do with the DEP feature of Windows XP, Vista, and 7 that prevent an unauthorized buffer overflow (RAM usage exceeding pre-defined limits of said program). Perhaps the audio and the new amount of visual effects are creating an instance where MapleStory goes past the 500mb zone creating what is defined as a buffer overflow. Though unintentional and defined by the program logic as a legitimate execution, the system recognizes it as a malicious execution and stops the process.

Proposed Alternative Theory:

Since Big Bang came out has anyone tried to turn off the DEP or exempt Maplestory.exe from the DEP list to test this, and attempted to go to Zakum with the System Audio Device enabled and had glitches surface?

I'd ask to test this first before messing with the BCDEdit configuration just to be safe.