A quick way to System Resources is Explorer > Help About

0

Hello WhitPhil, hello everyone, WhitPhil, you're right: the best way to System Resources is Explorer/Help About... I didn't notice we had the number there! I remember having to deal with the problem of resources very often with Windows 95 and I realize that MS promised it would be solved with '98... that's partly right! I never saw before that Win98 no longer provided us with the two classical '95 figures GDI resources and User resources! Gérard from Paris, France

0

The System Resources percentage, is the lower of the 2. If you want to see them individually, do Start > Run > RSRCMTR

0

In my mind, what causes resources to be so low (we don't know 'how few' yet!) is the accumulation of useless things in System files due to initial OS installation (MS prepares many useless keys) and to the many demos or apps install/uninstalls that leave 'orphan' keys and tend to load oodles of drivers along at Windows startup. First of all, it is necessary to check whether there's enough free space on the hard disk (at least 15% of the total size of the partition) and that the Swap file is OK (not very important with so much memory (192 Megs)

0

Thank you WhitPhil! I didn't remember about the Resource Meter! (but it seems I don't have it on my disk! anyway!) The problem of low resources is not as crucial as it was with Windows 95 but I remember starting a program lowers the resources and quiting it doesn't give all of the resources back... the difference (the 'lost' part) is about 8-10%! I asked my users to keep their MS-Word/Excel opened all day rather than start/quit, start/quit many times in the day (the wasted part is about 8-10% first time but far less the following times)! Gérard from Paris, France

0

To keep my system clean, I frequently check my system files (weekly cleanup with CleanDisk, ScanDisk, Defrag) but I also take a look at the system files: I know IT and my computers well enough to be able to see if there's something 'wrong' in the old Dos and Win3.x files! Waren... please, make a copy of your 6 system files: C:\Config.sys (Hardware/Drivers for Dos) C:\Autoexec.bat (Drivers/Parameters/Programs for Dos) C:\Windows\System.ini (Hardware/Drivers for Win3.x) C:\Windows\Win.ini (Parameters for Win3.x) C:\Windows\System.dat (Registry) C:\Windows\User.dat (Registry) Waren... are you familiar enough with Config.sys and Autoexec.bat to check these files (Start/Run/Sysedit)? Are you familiar enough with System.ini and Win.ini to do the same? (I say I know IT and my comps... that's because I'm responsible for my company's IT and purchased many CompaQs, then many Dells and can compare my files with the same files on other comps of the same model) I'm not able to check the Registry just taking a look at it, of course, but I use a wonderful program Easy Cleaner by Toni Arts which is a freeware downloadable on http://www... Damn! that freeware is no longer on the site I knew!!! I'am asking Google! Gérard from Paris, France

0

I'm really unlucky! - http://www.s/tonihele became unreachable! - http://www.easy-cleaner.de/ unreachable too... for the moment, the page says! - http://www.webtree.ca/newlife/easycleaner_info.htm -> unreachable! - http://www.sharewarejunkies.com/9zwd6/easy_cleaner.htm -> unreachable too! I downloaded it a few months ago (version 1.7f)!!! that program was too good! Toni surely wants to sell it now! I have it at work, that's sure! perhaps that I can have it home too... (I have it on my computer, but it's the installable version that I need!) Gérard from Paris, France

0

Frenchie, You can download EasyCleaner 1.7 at the EasyCleaner link below my name(Homepage:). I'll also put the link below. http://www.toniarts.com/ecleane.htm

0

I tested Easy Cleaner for long before using it for my company and am totally confident! If someone wants it, I can place it on my Web site tomorrow (my version is written 'free' on the 'About' screen!) I have another similar program on my disk: RegCleaner; I know it less well than Easy Cleaner but it seems good too (hey... it just found 9 orphan keys in my registry right now while Easy Cleaner just had got 2... interesting!) That utility can be downloaded on http://www.jv16.org/ After having cleaned the Registry, I use RegClean by MicroSoft, to check and fix the integrity of the Registry... wonderful too! Well! if someone is interested in the subject, I can go on with some lines and some links... Read you soon, Gérard from Paris, France

0

I use EasyCleaner too. It's fine but in my opinion it is mainly for clearing out useless junk in the registry, so yes it may help speed things up a bit if it's in a mess. Run "just the Clean Registry part (top button)" which never causes a problem, other features can! There are more powerful cleaners about but they require some knowledge. I've found that MS CleanReg is much better at actually fixing registry problems and curing faults. A good one to run after EasyCleaner and again it requires no knowledge.

0

-> Tufenuf... thank you for the link! I went to verify, it's OK! very helpful, thank you! I made a mistake... very puzzling!... I am unable to write the former link to EasyCleaner... could you try yourself? http://www.s a u n a l a h t i . f i /tonihele (without the spaces... I can't write as it will be transformed by the editor of this forum and it's not the first time! puzzling!) -> Derek... thank you for your post! I use the first and third options of Easy Cleaner ('useless files' is safe as well). RegCleaner seems to be well too, though not as easy! it deals with the Startup files, the "Open with", the "Orphan keys" ("useless junk" as you say) of the registry and many other options (a bit too technical for end users). Is your MS CleanReg the same as my MS RegClean? I think so... I find it wonderful! I am using a '97 version... I don't know whether there's a more recent one! I use them both weekly! Gérard from Paris, France

0

Are you fond of interesting lines on the subject?... below is a link to Fred Langa's useful tips: 10 Ways to Make Windows 98 Run Better Hope you'll like! Well... Derek... it begins to be rather late for you too, isn't it? (I remember having met you on several other threads and you even sent me some precision about SFC... thanks again!) 1:23a Paris Time! Good day to you Americans! (Good night for Derek and me!) Gérard from Paris, France

0

Oh... one more line (long one!) Warren... know that if you never used such a Registry Cleaner ("Easy Cleaner"), you will be impressed as it will suggest at least a hundred "orphan" (useless) keys in the Registry! impressive! do accept the suggestions! some resources saved! Gérard from Paris, France

0

Quick point. Cleaning the registry will have no affect on System Resources. The ones this thread started on about. It will save some of the "traditional" system resources, such as disk, memory and cpu, but not the MS ones.

0

As with all programs that do things automatically, you still need to look at what is being done, BEFORE you let it happen. For example, I just ran EasyCleaner with the ('useless files' is safe as well), option. Well, if I had accepted what it had found, it would have blown major pieces out of my genealogy database (Brother's Keeper), because it seemed to choose almost every one of the files that belonged to it.

0

Hi WhitPhil, I'm sorry you had problems with Easy Cleaner-"Useless files"! I just took a look at the program... there's no possibility to say which extensions to consider! I'm surprised regarding the proposition to delete many parts of your Genealogy Database... that's worrying! what's the extension of the files? .tmp? ;-) WhitPhil, do you know a freeware able to clean the System.ini & Win.ini files (the equivalent of Easy Cleaner but regarding the Win3.x files instead of the Registry)? Gérard from Paris, France

0

Hello, Well... oodles of nice links to check! thanks to Ward, WhitPhil and everyone! Gérard from Paris, France

0

Never seen a cleaner for the INI files. The file extensions were *.BKx where x runs from A through Z, 1 through 0. They are the file extensions used by Brothers Keeper. Regardless, my point was to be very careful running any app that indicates it can find redundant files, useless DLLs, etc. etc. When in doubt, backup, backup, backup!! And keep them for a while.

0

Hi WhitPhil, You're quite wise to be very careful! Unfortunately, .BKx (I don't remember what the x is) is a System Backup extension too! today, my Easer Cleaner proposed to delete such files but as I didn't have any Brothers Keeper's files, I let it work and delete (99 orphan keys on the system that didn't know Easy Cleaner yet... don't you think it could be good for the System Resources?). In my company, we ckecked Easy Cleaner for long before accepting it... we never had any problem (useless files and Registry only). BTW, weren't there some Norton Utilities able to clean the .INI files years ago? Enjoy your weekend and Merry Christmas WhitPhil! Gérard from Paris, France

0

Frenchie & WhitPhil The reason I don't use any other option in EasyCleaner is because, like WhitPhil, I found it only too ready to remove files which were "definitely in use". Certainly if you happen to run DOS stuff (yeah I know that's old hat) Tony's program is very happy to say the files are not needed. It makes a lot of broad assumptions! I expect my version of MS RegClean (like me) is knocking on a bit. It works, so I've never bothered to update it. It's later than the one without undo's - that's all I know. I also use "Regcleaner" & "CleanReg" too at at times - there are a lot of similar names about. As for WhitPhil's bit about none of these Reg cleaners being much to do with the original posting! Yeah I reckon WhitPhil is right again, we probably strayed off the point a bit, but they often help folks with other problems. Hey WhitPhil, how about getting it wrong sometimes - you always seem to show good thinking. Stop it!! Before it's too late may I wish both of you and anyone else who strays this way a Very Happy Christmas. Derek

0

Good night Derek, Merry Christmas! Gérard from Paris, France

0

Derek, WhitPhil... So, you both say free resources have nothing to do with Registry Cleaning... This link http://www.pcforrest.freeserve.co.uk/resources.htm says like you! I couldn't read everything there yet as, in addition, there are several other links at the end of the page! Then... what would you suggest to meet Warren's needs? >I've got a HP Pentium III, 667 MHZ with 192 > meg or ram, 30 gig hard drive. Right now >I've got 3 windows open and i'm being told >system resources are low, close one or more >windows. Any idea why this is happening or >how to fix? Gérard from Paris, France

0

I tended to confuse between low resources and slowness! If I understand well : - free System Resources allow to open another window (another program with many elements along with it) - Resources level lowering has nothing to do with slowness of the computer - Resource reaching 10% will lead to impossibility to launch another program or even lead to a crash of the system - Cleaning system files will improve speed but not resources level - As far as I remember, there are utilities able to free resources of closed programs Am I right now Derek/WhitPhil? I found a short thread on Google/MicroSoft which deals with the subject: Forum Gérard from Paris, France

0

Frenchie: Warren never rejoined the conversation. Unfortunately, like many others who post questions here. But, the first step in resolving a System Resource issue, is to reduce the number of apps that start at boot time. That is what all the links above, eventually will lead to. My "general" rule, is that you should be able to boot up to a percentage that is between 80&90. If it is lower than that, odds are very good that there are useless apps loading. Then, once you start with resources that high, if you get the error, then you may have a program with a resource leak, or, you are running a "ton" of programs at the same time, or, you are in the habit of ctl-alt-del'ing programs, which will leave those programs resources still assigned.But, generally, one should be in good shape. A BTW: Low Resources can also result in "Out of Memory" errors. BUT, all "Low on Memory" messages do not mean Low Resources. If it is Scandisk/Defrag, it is a Cluster Size problem. Otherwise it could be a swapfile that is too small, or a disk with low available space, so that the swapfile can't expand. Salubrious Salutations

0

Hi WhitPhil, Thank you for your response! Yes, it's a pity Warren never came back to read the posts... but I think many other visitors will take advantage of the good advice here! I didn't look at all of your links yet (a lot)... I then realized I gave one of yours and Ward's (pcforest) again, I'm sorry! Be sure, the posts here and especially yours, have already helped me better understand! Thank you, Merry Christmas, Gérard from Paris, France

0

Hi Whitphil and Frenchie, What a thread - I see it took another 27 (No, 30) posts to reach what I originally responded with in reply No. 3. A Merry Christmas and happy New Year to one and all Chappie

0

Hi Chappie, Nice to meet you again! thanks for your #3 post! >it took another 27 (No, 30) posts to reach >what I originally responded hmmm... yes and no! I don't agree with you about what you seem to mean (waste of time) for three reasons: -1- I was making a mistake confusing resources and slowness and I needed these 30 posts to realize and understand -2- You suggested two kinds of advice: clean startup list & maintain the hard disk ("Also, deleting Temp files from C:\Windows\Temp, deleting Temporary Internet Files and Cookies and running 'Scandisk and Defrag' weekly helps keep your system running fast.") Now that I've understood, I better see your "helps keep your system running fast" whereas, at first reading, I had kept in mind maintenance was your solution against low resources. -3-These extra 30 posts were not a waste of time as, though Warren probably never read them, I'm sure many members of the forum learned a lot here! So, this thread is less an assistance to Warren's problem but a general lesson about resources and slowness. Thanks to all of the posters! Merry Christmas, Gérard from Paris, France

0

Hi Frenchie, Yeah to the above, I passed a bit of time reading the posts as well. And the good thing is, other users get the benefit. If a lot more 'Posters' took the time to browse the forum, the information they need has usually been covered more than once. And in more than 1 method of solving the problem. Cheers, Chappie

0

Hi Chappie, I just realize now you are posting from Australia... lucky man/woman with oodles of sun, blue sky and blue ocean! ;) Gérard from Paris, France

0