8GB, but have to run Windows Xp (32 Bit). Anything I can do with the additional memory

32-bitmemory-limit

I ordered a new computer with 8GB RAM with the plan to run Windows 7, 64Bit. Turns out now, that I need to run a 32Bit OS (XP or 7) due to some software which does not run on 64Bit yet (not even with any of the available compatibility settings / modes).

Is there anything I can do with the memory above 4GB in this scenario? I'm willing to consider creative solutions like running a hypervisor under XP that offers the memory as a RAM-Disk for swapping etc. ?

The software that does not run on 64Bit is CISCO VPN (there seems to be a half-working solution for that) and CISCO IP phone / webcam integration "CISCO Unified Video Advantage" (there is apparently no solution for that).

Best Answer

I'd recommend going ahead and installing Windows 7 64-bit, and running your Cisco software in a VM.

Edit: I just noticed joeqwerty pointed out that Windows XP Mode might not work very well for VPN software. I'm not familiar enough with Windows XP Mode to know why this would be a problem, but you could still use a different virtualization platform, such as VMware or VirtualBox.

For example, you could use VMware Server to install a 32-bit Windows XP virtual machine, and configure that VM to start up every time your computer boots up. As long as you configure the network adapter as a bridged network adapter, the VPN software should be able to route traffic between the local network and remote hosts, just as it would if it was installed on a physical machine.

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