Windows 8 on 256mb of RAM

ungluedflyer

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Hey guys, yes you read the title correctly. This isn't anything to go crazy about, I know it's not ideal but I want to see how well Windows 8 runs with 256mb of RAM first hand. I know it's possible due to the success stories I've seen people write posts about. Someone apparently was able to boot it with a measly 64mb of ram successfully. As seen here: "http://news.softpedia.com/news/RAMorexic-Windows-8-Runs-on-64MB-of-Memory-226418.shtml" I want to breathe life into my old XP machine. I know it' actually a pretty common hack to get Windows 7 to run on such low specs, but now I want to try it with it's younger brother. The way people have been installing Windows 7 on less than perfect specs from what I've seen is by editing the winsetup.dll file in Hex Editor and changing the values of a certain row from "77 07 3D 78 01" to "E9 04 00 00 00" As seen here: "http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/20967-install-windows-7-computer-less-than-512mb-ram.html" But the Windows 8 winsetup.dll is different so the method above doesn't work becasue "77 07 3D 78 01" doesn't exist. My question is what anyone might know what values would be needed to change in order to make this work. Before I get anyone trying to tell me it's not worth it, trust me, I'm aware. I'm just a techy who wants to see what he can do with the hardware he has available. I know it's possible. I want to do it myself. Thanks!:D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Release Preview
Interesting. The only real problem to me would be once it is up and running how would it be on ram management. That small amount of ram would have to really slow win 8 down as it would 7, or vista.

It would be a great challenge to get it working so it could be beneficial or productive.

Oh, and BTW, "Welcome to the Eight Forums." . . .:thumbsup:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8, (VM win7, XP, Vista)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion p1423w
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3330 Ivy Bridge
    Motherboard
    Foxconn - 2ADA Ivy Brige
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    16 GB 1066MHz DDR3
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    ATI Radeon HD 5450
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    HD Realteck (Onboard)
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    Mit. 1980-1080, Dell 2048-115, Hanspree 1920-10802
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    1 SanDisk 240Gig SSD, 2 Samsung 512Gig SSDs
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    Tower
    Cooling
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    Microsoft Keyboard 2000
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Mouse 5000
    Internet Speed
    1.3 (350 to 1024 if lucky)
    Browser
    Firefox 19.1
    Antivirus
    MSE-Defender
I once ran Vista on 256MB of ram. IIRC I had to install it with 512, then pull out the stick to give it 256, as it wouldn't install to 256, but ran just fine... It was a little slow, but not that bad really, and since 8 is *SO* much better at handling resources, I would imagine it would work just fine.. so long as you weren't running Photoshop or some other huge memory hog.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
512 is the least amount of RAM I'll run in any PC, any OS. What kind of RAM do you need. If I have some, I'll send it to you, free...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built Intel i7-3770k-based system
    CPU
    Intel i7-3770k, Overclocked to 4.6GHz (46x100) with Corsair H110i GT cooler
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 OC Formula 2.30 BIOS
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 2133 Corsair Vengeance Pro
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 980ti SC ACS 6GB DDR5 by EVGA
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD, Corsair SP2500 speakers and subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27EA33 [Monitor] (27.2"vis) HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (system drive)
    WD 6TB Red NAS hard drives x 2 in Storage Spaces (redundancy)
    PSU
    Corsair 750ax fully modular power supply with sleeved cables
    Case
    Corsair Air 540 with 7 x 140mm fans on front, rear and top panels
    Cooling
    Corsair H110i GT liquid cooled CPU with 4 x 140" Corsair SP "push-pull" and 3 x 140mm fans
    Keyboard
    Thermaltake Poseidon Z illuminated keyboard
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 wired
    Internet Speed
    85MBps DSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro and CCleaner Pro
    Other Info
    Client of Windows Server 2012 R2 10 PC's, laptops and smartphones on the WLAN.

    1GBps Ethernet ports
I highly recommend purchasing some more memory for your computer. Otherwise your computer will constantly be doing page swaps, which unless you have a fast SSD will kill your hard drive.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Tansformer Book Flip TP500LN
    CPU
    Intel i5-4210U
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GT 840M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    1TB Hybrid
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000
I highly recommend purchasing some more memory for your computer. Otherwise your computer will constantly be doing page swaps, which unless you have a fast SSD will kill your hard drive.

He knows he needs more ram but he wants to breathe life to his old pc. He wants to know if it's possible to run on 256 and what's needed to do so.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8 64bit pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    hp dv7 7247cl
    CPU
    i7-3630QM 2.4ghz
    Memory
    g.skill 16gb ddr3 12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia 650m x2gb ddr5 & Intel 4000 HD
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    samsung 840 250gb ssd
    wd 1tb 5400 rpm
    Mouse
    Razer Orochi
I once ran Vista on 256MB of ram. IIRC I had to install it with 512, then pull out the stick to give it 256, as it wouldn't install to 256, but ran just fine... It was a little slow, but not that bad really, and since 8 is *SO* much better at handling resources, I would imagine it would work just fine.. so long as you weren't running Photoshop or some other huge memory hog.
That's what I keep hearing from other users who have done this before. Not to mention Windows 8 does SOOOO much better at RAM management. I plan on using some virtual ram as well to help push things along. I'll disable some of the background services to keep RAM usage on the lean side.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Release Preview
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