4GB patch (Large Address Aware flag) = Steam error code 51

[Aristar]

Update: this doesn't really matter anyways after doing some research, S2's memory manager will still crash around 1.3GB-1.5GB.

Original Post:
Why can't I enable the Large Address Aware flag without steam throwing an error? It works fine on my retail box copy. Without this, Elite textures and PhysX makes it reach the memory limit and crash.

[Shiko]

just done run elite textures and PhysX that simple and Elite Textures is only noticableon 1080p monitors OVER 30" so there really is no point and PhysX doesnt do a whole bunch there really is no point in them

[Aristar]

After doing some research, I think it's steam's encryption or a CRC checksum that throws an error when it detects the .exe was modified. It's not so "simple" to sacrifice graphics quality because steam and Deep Silver wouldn't provide a fix (Steam version is supposed to be fully moddable/patchable).

The texture quality is noticeable even on my 23" you can see the difference here[www.pcgameshardware.com] and PhysX adds some really cool stuff you can view here[physxinfo.com] (specifically the spell effects at 1:45).

@Shiko812: I'm glad you think it makes no difference, but to me and a lot of others it does. This is now my second copy of this game, and this inability to enable LAA makes my steam copy useless to me. Developers need to be held accountable for mistakes and encouraged to provide fixes through feedback. I may be directing this at the wrong person, but I am sick of seeing people flame others for "complaining" or "whining" about games because feedback is the only way they will get better. I will not settle for mediocrity.

[Aristar]

Well I found a workaround using MemAlert[forum.sacred2.com] so it doesn't really need LAA anymore but it would still be a bonus.

Also, off topic, but I found Sacred 2 runs the best in Windows 8 32bit. Vista and Win7 had stuttering and/or frequent crashes with OpenAL, Elite textures and PhysX enabled. On Win8 x86 it's just as smooth/stable as it was in XP, though I had no luck with x64 due to sound issues with OpenAL, but it works fine in 32bit with some sound tweaks in optionsCustom.txt

sound.memorybudget = 48,
sound.plugin_update_ms = 50,
sound.system_sleep_ms = 10,

(strangely enough these were the old default values, one of the patches increased all these values but they work better the old way. YMMV)