When you migrate large data from older versions or import data from other CAD systems (STEP, IGES...), Inventor needs large amounts of memory. Windows 2000 and XP operating systems limit memory available for applications (physical RAM + virtual paging) only to 2GB by default.If you want to increase this limit to 3GB, edit (with Notepad.exe) the BOOT.INI file in the root of your boot disc and add the option /3GB, e.g.:
[boot loader]
timeout=10
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /3GB /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect /3GB
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000 Debug" /fastdetect /Debug
C:\="Previous Operating System on C:"
Users of HP workstations can use the application "HP Performance Tuning Framework" where the just click the button "Enable Large Memory".
The same settings can by applied for AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit and other Autodesk CAD software.
Warning - in Windows XP sp1 please follow the instructions in Microsoft knowledgebase tip 328269! We recommend using modern 64-bit versions of CAD software.
See also the tip - 3GB mode for Vista