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I have an old computer with I use often in my room, and its processor is working at 330 MHz and it has one 64 MB memory card. Before the problem was not too revealant, I could boot normally with 17 MB of physical memory left (wich is already very low) But now it's worse. I booted with about 3 MB of physical memory. Then, I start up configurations so that I would only start Explorer, absolutely no extra program. I booted with 11 MB's of memory.
I am really surprised by this, I don't understand what could take so much physical memory RIGHT after I restart. This is really annoying, because it always use the hard drive for physical memory storage, and it's really really slow.
I do not want to format my hard drive, because it's a long process to backup, reinstall, blah blah blah and I might forget some important files.
So if there's anyone who can help me solve this problem without formating my hard drive, please help me. Thanks in advance, Vidda.
PS: I won't get another physical memory card, it is obvious that there is a progressive memory problem with my computer that takes most of the physical memory, so if I get another card, it will start with 64 MB, then 50, then 32, etc. etc. and then I'll end up with the same problem.
sounds like the harddrive is almost full.
ever run disk cleanup?? go to c:
right click its icon, click on disk cleanup.
it'll remove any unnecessary files.they use up memory and resources. thats the reason the cpu stores on the harddrive.
and go ahead and add more memory.
run the maintenence often, like scandisk/defrag
also, go to run line
type in msconfig, open startup, uncheck any programs that don't need to start
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You didn't listen! *sigh*
I went in those configurations and I removed ALL the programs and now the only thing that's ran is Explorer, wich mean if you hit Ctr+Alt+Del you'll only see 'Explorer' in the list.
It has nothing to do with DISK USAGE, it's a PHYSICAL MEMORY PROBLEM. Wich means, it's the memory card that's full. If the hard disk was full, I would get 'Out of memory' messages or something like that. But it's not.
What I need is a way to free physical memory after booting, but even after removing all the start-up programs it doesn't free that much memory.
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Don't know if this is your situation, but you CAN get (false) `Out of memory' messages when you run low on hard drive space.
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Well, sorry, but so far it didn't happpened...
Doesn't anyone know the source of this problem or anything?
Hm...
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"if you hit Ctr+Alt+Del you'll only see 'Explorer' in the list"
What happened to Systray?
Have you scanned for Spyware & viruses?
Try going to Start/Run & typed MSCONFIG, then click on the startup tab...see what's listed there
There is no turning back, now that you've woken up the demon in me...
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When I bought my machine 5 years ago it came with 64mb of RAM. (commonly referred to as a stick of memory versus a card if this is the same thing that you are talking about).
Windows alone would take 48mb of it upon startup. I added a second 64mb stick of RAM and then Windows would startup using 90mb of it. Blah, blah, blah...I now have 384mb of RAM (3x128) and Windows starts up using 160mb RAM.
The point of my story is that Windows will use as much as it can get to run even more efficiently.
I used Start, Run, sysmon to determine how much RAM (and Swap file) I am using. Is this the same tool you are using?
I had tried using a couple of programs that you are desiring but they seemed self defeating. To free up memory I would have to unload something that was already loaded into RAM that I would need in order to run the next selected process so in fact it was slowing me down because I then had to reload into RAM the process/es or files I had just removed from the RAM.
The first one I tried was Hare. You could use it like 15 times before you had to buy it. The only thing I find on Hare using Google now is related to a virus.
I still have the Hare (memory program) installer if you want a copy of it.Memory Zipper Plus 1.0 used an installer but it's folder only contains the .exe and the uninstaller files so I suspect it is actually a standalone program so if you want a copy of it I have that too. It looks like they are up to version 7.2 on that but no longer free other than to try it.
Memory Zipper Plus... links.The better option would be to get 192mb or more of RAM installed and the problem will go away. The speed difference is subtle but noticable over the long run. Especially if you have a few things open and running. 64mb of RAM is really too little for Win98.
On a side thought...You have not limited your swap file with a Min and a Max have you?
Regards,
Bryan
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I have seen individuals making an argument on this board in defense of Cacheman. That individual certainly liked it.
I have never tried it.Bryan
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Bryan
I tried Cacheman once, better after I uninstalled it.
Seems to work for some but W98 should still not be "bad" without it.As you say, Windows will use as much RAM as it can get. There's no point having RAM if it is not in use. Windows will clear some when it becomes necessary.
Vidda
So the high use of memory is probably a red herring. General housekeeping (such as clearing TIF's, defrag, reducing background tasks) and so on could still help "slowness", which is the "actual problem".Jam
For info, not having SystemTray running is no big deal (despite what many websites say) - try it. It is "ScanRegistry" that should always be left in place. [Not that SystemTray's presence or otherwise will matter a fig to this particular problem].Derek.W
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Uh thank you for those explainations.
-I did disable all startup programs exept systemtray, wich is quite necessary for me, because it shows the volume control icon wich I use a lot because my volume is often unbalanced (my sound card sucks too o.o;)
-What does Scanregistry do exactly? Is it really necessary?
-Bryan, I would be happy to share some of those programs with you, but I am quite septic about those programs, how can an additionnal start up program can free memory instead of taking it?
-So you say, it will help if I buy another memory stick. But will it really take 90 MB to start up windows with 128 MBs? 40 MBs of free memory is not that big...
Thanks again for helping.
Vidda.
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ScanRegistry does registry checking and allows you to restore or rebuild your registry. If it detects a registry error it allows either automatic or manual correction.
In a nutshell if you uncheck it Windows will not give you any form of assistance if the registry fails. Registry problem are by no means unheard of.
None of the standard MS items will make any noticeable difference to the performance of your machine if unchecked. This might help:
WHAT TO UNCHECK AT STARTUP[The fact that I disagree a bit on SystemTray is quite academic as far as your problem is concerned - without it you get no speaker icon, if you use that]
Derek.W
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.... ooops. Sorry I missed that you already said you used the speaker icon (#10). That's about all SystemTray does these days, it doesn't effect the other tray icons.
Derek.W
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You still seem to be a bit confused about what is hdd (storage memory) and RAM active memory, or I'm still a bit confused at your description of your problem.
Yes you have pretty low RAM, especially if you run any programs built after about year 2000. But "Have you had any programs actually fail"? or are you just worrying about the numbers?
You should be using ALL your RAM *theoretically* for most efficiency but many programs would cause trouble at this. You also have vRAM (swapfile on hdd) which is a player in this issue too.
*How large is your total hard drive size?
and *How much FREE space is left on it?If you use the Internet(?) which anti-virus do you use? and you must use anti-spyware tools too (these pests can really suck up system juice).
If you are running out of hdd space(?) then get a larger hdd (multiple partitions if necessary) and clone your C:drive to the first partition of larger drive with mfr utilities for this.
Good Luck anyway
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Vidda,
"But will it really take 90 MB to start up windows with 128 MBs? 40 MBs of free memory is not that big..."I like to think of it similar to gasoline and power is to a car.
If I want to go to the local convenient store then 64mb of RAM is plenty.
If I want to go from Boston to Washington, D.C. (~500miles) then 64mb RAM is not going to be enough. I will have to stop and get some more somewhere along the way.
If I have 190mb of RAM then I have plenty to go that far.
Just like a car I don't really want to run out but I don't need to spend $25 to fill my tank just to go to the local convenient store.Since you only have 64mb then Windows will not use it all up just to startup. But with 190mb it will use a lot more since you have it available.
I have 384mb RAM and have used 12 mb of my swap file once while moving a Ghost image (over 2gb) around on my drives.
When you load up/start up additional programs beyond Windows then they will load their files into RAM (24 mb available beyond what Windows is already using) and then you start to use the Swap file or hard drive to load these program's files. Since the hard drive has moving parts versus RAM sticks have none then the access speed to these files is reduced.
If I had 1gb of RAM it would be a waste because I would never use it on this machine.
If I had 1gb of RAM then I would have over 600mb RAM unused.
That would like adding an auxilary fuel tank in the trunk of my car just to go to the local store.So, with your 64mb of RAM you are good to go to the store or type something in NotePad.
But if you want to carry back groceries from the crosstown supermart then you will be using your swap file.The point is I always want to have enough gas in my car to get to where I am going and I don't really want to have excessive amounts that I will never use either (save the money for groceries).
Windows using only 40mb of the available 64mb RAM will require you to pedel that car to help it up the hill.
With 190mb RAM Windows will climb the hill much quicker on it's own (unless you are hauling a full trailer).Of course, System resources has nothing to do with RAM even though when depleted Windows will display an "Out of memory" error. It should say "Out of resources".
(Boy that got long winded)
Regards,
Bryan
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