They are wrong! XP is a 32 bit version, which means it supports up till 4 GB. Just do a little calculation and you will see that I am right in my suggestion.

2³² = 4.294.967.296

4.294.967.296 / (1.024 x 1.024) = 4.096

To get XP to recognize the remaining Ram you have to do a little trick. In the boot.ini (hidden file, which is found in the root of c) you have to add some new switches /3GB and /PAE.

Per default the user-mode memory space is limited to 2 GB with the /3GB it will be limited to 3 GB. This switch is a feature from the Windows 2000 / 20003 servers and was introduced to XP, so that device-driver developers could test their drivers without have to install a Windows server.

Note this switch should be used with caution; it can cause applications to have address dependencies related problems. Also it can cause an error with Active Directories (resource starvation). Though, these problems are mostly seen on a Windows 2003 Server.

By using the /PAE switch, it will let your device drivers use the Ram up till the 4 GB.

These changes may not work on all chipsets, cpu’s, motherboards. But after I enabled the switches, I’m able to see 3,5 GB and it seams that XP is using the ram above the 3 GB when I am looking on the usages in the Task Manager

Just start a command prompt:

Start -> Run -> Cmd

and then type:

IPCONFIG /ALL

In case of you want to change you IP (works only when you are running DHCP) – you can do i by using a release in combination with a renew.

IPCONFIG /RELEASE

IPCONFIG /RENEW

Here is how to do it:

1. Start regedit (Start -> Run -> Regedit)
2. Navigate to the Registry key HKEY CURRENT USER\Control Panel\Desktop
3. Double click on the AutoEndTasks entry and replace the 0 with a 1 in the Value data text box
4. Double click on the WaitToKillAppTimeout entry (if the dword value does not exist, then create it) and change the value to 2000
5. Double click on the HungAppTimeout entry (if the dword value does not exist, then create it) and change the value to 1000
6. Reboot

If you still have problems, then make the following changes:

1. Start regedit (Start -> Run -> Regedit)
2. Navigate to the Registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control
3. Double click on the WaitToKillServiceTimeout entry and change the value to 2000
4. Reboot

Notice that lowest value XP will accept is 1000 (1 sec).

Be also aware of, that the WaitToKillService tweak can cause problems. If an application is in process of saving data a “kill”can case the loss of data.

To change the icon of the Start button do:

• Expand the category Bitmap.

• Navigate down to and expand string 143 followed by highlighting 1033.

• Click Action and then Replace bitmap

• Open file with new bitmap (the new picture must be 25×20, and have 16 million colors)

• Select a picture file

• Click Replace

You are now ready to save altered file using the Save As command (found in the File Menu). Do not overwrite the exiting file – save it as explorer.exe but in a subdirectory in windows.

E.g. create a new sub directory ex. Tweak and save it there

After wards you have to update the registry. Open up regedit and find the key:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]

Here you have to change the value for Shell, so that it fits you new explorer file.

Ex. Shell Value = ‘tweak/explorer.exe’

Close Registry Editor and either log off the system and log back in, or reboot the entire system if that’s your preference – and you are ready to go

Simply run Resource Hacker, open the explorer.exe (found in the Windows directory) – and you are ready to make changes.

To change the Start button name do:

• Expand the category String Table.

• Navigate down to and expand string 37 followed by highlighting 1033. If you are using the Classic Layout rather than the XP Layout, use number 38.

• Modify item 578, currently showing the word “start” just as it displays on the current Start button. (Dobbeclick and write a new name on 578)

• After changing the item 578 hit the compile script button

You are now ready to save altered file using the Save As command (found in the File Menu). Do not overwrite the exiting file – save it as explorer.exe but in a subdirectory in windows. E.g. create a new sub directory ex. Tweak and save it there

After wards you have to update the registry. Open up regedit and find the key:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]

Here you have to change the value for Shell, so that it fits you new explorer file.

Ex. Shell Value = ‘tweak/explorer.exe’

Close Registry Editor and either log off the system and log back in, or reboot the entire system if that’s your preference – and you are ready to go

You can get Resource Hacker here