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Is my computer approaching its last days?



 
 
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  #1  
Old September 5th 05, 02:12 AM
Larry
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Is my computer approaching its last days?

With my Windows 98 Dell Dimension (purchased in 1998), for the several
months I've had this problem with "memory leak" that folks here already
explained to me. It means that after the computer has been on for a day
or so, it starts running low on resources. I was able to live with
that, just turning the computer off more often or restarting.

But now it's getting worse. When I start it up, it's fine With just my
background applications on (DSL connection, Zone alarm, Explorer, etc.)
I have 60 percent of resources free (which in fact is only about seven
percent lower than it's ever been at it's best). But within maybe 12
hours of the computer being on, resources have gotten so low that the
task bar icons lose their appearance (losing their details and color),
and all kinds of freeze-ups start to occur. It's only the last few
weeks that resources would get so low (with as few as seven or so
windows open) that the taskbar icons would lose their appearance and I'd
have to restart to get some usable memory back.

Does this memory leak (if that's what it is), indicate an unfixable loss
of functioning in the core components of the computer? Is there
anything to be done about about this?

Thanks for any advice.
Larry


  #2  
Old September 5th 05, 02:29 AM
Bill in Co.
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Larry wrote:
With my Windows 98 Dell Dimension (purchased in 1998), for the several
months I've had this problem with "memory leak" that folks here already
explained to me. It means that after the computer has been on for a day
or so, it starts running low on resources. I was able to live with
that, just turning the computer off more often or restarting.

But now it's getting worse. When I start it up, it's fine With just my
background applications on (DSL connection, Zone alarm, Explorer, etc.)
I have 60 percent of resources free (which in fact is only about seven
percent lower than it's ever been at it's best). But within maybe 12
hours of the computer being on, resources have gotten so low that the
task bar icons lose their appearance (losing their details and color),
and all kinds of freeze-ups start to occur. It's only the last few
weeks that resources would get so low (with as few as seven or so
windows open) that the taskbar icons would lose their appearance and I'd
have to restart to get some usable memory back.

Does this memory leak (if that's what it is), indicate an unfixable loss
of functioning in the core components of the computer?


I sure would NOT assume THAT. And FYI, I have about 60% free resources
too, and unless I load a bunch of stuff - or some specific, memory hogging
programs, I don't have the problems you are facing. However, I do on
occasion reboot (especially if ONE program is a bit of a hog), and I always
shut the computer down every nite at bedtime, which I think is a good idea
for several reasons.

If you are in the habit of never (or rarely) shutting the computer down, I
can see how that might happen.

I have a couple of ideas he 1) get into the better habit of shutting it
down each nite, and rebooting it after, say, some program gets too greedy on
resources, and 2) try to isolate WHICH program (if it is just ONE) is such a
memory hog, by some careful tests, and taking notes.

Is there anything to be done about about this?


I think so, per above.

Thanks for any advice.
Larry


But I do not subscribe to the idea that your computer is necessarily
approaching its last days! OTOH, if you were talking about some new
software that you need to run, that might be a different story.


  #3  
Old September 5th 05, 03:55 AM
Brian A.
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

If you believe you have a memory leak, you need to tshoot to find out what app
is causing it. A memory leak is caused by an application that loses the ability
to release the memory, which is a cause in the programming of that app.

Use of memory and resources are two separate things, 60% resources is not a
concern. If you got down to around 5-10%, then you would need to check into the
resources. For info on resources see:
http://www.aumha.org/win4/a/resource.htm

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375




"Larry" wrote in message
...
With my Windows 98 Dell Dimension (purchased in 1998), for the several
months I've had this problem with "memory leak" that folks here already
explained to me. It means that after the computer has been on for a day
or so, it starts running low on resources. I was able to live with
that, just turning the computer off more often or restarting.

But now it's getting worse. When I start it up, it's fine With just my
background applications on (DSL connection, Zone alarm, Explorer, etc.)
I have 60 percent of resources free (which in fact is only about seven
percent lower than it's ever been at it's best). But within maybe 12
hours of the computer being on, resources have gotten so low that the
task bar icons lose their appearance (losing their details and color),
and all kinds of freeze-ups start to occur. It's only the last few
weeks that resources would get so low (with as few as seven or so
windows open) that the taskbar icons would lose their appearance and I'd
have to restart to get some usable memory back.

Does this memory leak (if that's what it is), indicate an unfixable loss
of functioning in the core components of the computer? Is there
anything to be done about about this?

Thanks for any advice.
Larry



  #4  
Old September 5th 05, 03:59 AM
glee
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Click StartRun, type MSINFO32 and click OK.
In the left pane of the System Information window, click the + sign to expand the
"Software Environment" category.
In the left pane, click to select "Startup Programs"....they will appear in a list
on the right.
Press Ctrl-A on the keyboard, which will highlight everything in the list on the
right.
Press Ctrl-C to copy the list to the 'clipboard'.
Open a reply to this message, click in the body of the message and press Ctrl-V to
paste the list from the clipboard to the message, and post back to this thread.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Larry" wrote in message
...
With my Windows 98 Dell Dimension (purchased in 1998), for the several
months I've had this problem with "memory leak" that folks here already
explained to me. It means that after the computer has been on for a day
or so, it starts running low on resources. I was able to live with
that, just turning the computer off more often or restarting.

But now it's getting worse. When I start it up, it's fine With just my
background applications on (DSL connection, Zone alarm, Explorer, etc.)
I have 60 percent of resources free (which in fact is only about seven
percent lower than it's ever been at it's best). But within maybe 12
hours of the computer being on, resources have gotten so low that the
task bar icons lose their appearance (losing their details and color),
and all kinds of freeze-ups start to occur. It's only the last few
weeks that resources would get so low (with as few as seven or so
windows open) that the taskbar icons would lose their appearance and I'd
have to restart to get some usable memory back.

Does this memory leak (if that's what it is), indicate an unfixable loss
of functioning in the core components of the computer? Is there
anything to be done about about this?

Thanks for any advice.
Larry



  #5  
Old September 5th 05, 04:22 AM
Gary S. Terhune
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Read these two articles and then, after following the advice there to the
extent that seems reasonable in your case, we'll have a baseline from which
to work and you'll be more familiar with the tools you'll want to use to
track down your problems.

http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User

"Larry" wrote in message
...
With my Windows 98 Dell Dimension (purchased in 1998), for the several
months I've had this problem with "memory leak" that folks here already
explained to me. It means that after the computer has been on for a day
or so, it starts running low on resources. I was able to live with
that, just turning the computer off more often or restarting.

But now it's getting worse. When I start it up, it's fine With just my
background applications on (DSL connection, Zone alarm, Explorer, etc.)
I have 60 percent of resources free (which in fact is only about seven
percent lower than it's ever been at it's best). But within maybe 12
hours of the computer being on, resources have gotten so low that the
task bar icons lose their appearance (losing their details and color),
and all kinds of freeze-ups start to occur. It's only the last few
weeks that resources would get so low (with as few as seven or so
windows open) that the taskbar icons would lose their appearance and I'd
have to restart to get some usable memory back.

Does this memory leak (if that's what it is), indicate an unfixable loss
of functioning in the core components of the computer? Is there
anything to be done about about this?

Thanks for any advice.
Larry




  #6  
Old September 5th 05, 04:30 AM
Larry
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Here it is.

library Startup Group C:\Documents\library.rtl
WinKey Startup Group "C:\Program Files\WinKey\WinKey.exe"
Flywheel Startup Group "C:\Program Files\Plannet
Crafters\Flywheel\Flywheel.exe"
Winword Startup Group "C:\Program Files\Microsoft
Office\Office\WINWORD.EXE"
Bootminder 2 Startup Group C:\WINDOWS\bootminder.exe
Icon Corral Startup Group "C:\Program Files\IconCorral\IconCorral.exe"
To do now.txt Startup Group "C:\Documents\To do\To do now.txt"
ScanRegistry Registry (Machine Run) c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun
SystemTray Registry (Machine Run) SysTray.Exe
LoadPowerProfile Registry (Machine Run) Rundll32.exe
powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
AT&T DSL Service PCA Program Registry (Machine Run) C:\Program
Files\AT&T\DSL\programs\dslpca.exe /ws
Tweak UI Registry (Machine Run) RUNDLL32.EXE TWEAKUI.CPL,TweakMeUp
TkBellExe Registry (Machine Run) "C:\Program Files\Common
Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
Zone Labs Client Registry (Machine Run) C:\Program Files\Zone
Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
LoadPowerProfile Registry (Machine Service) Rundll32.exe
powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
TrueVector Registry (Machine Service)
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ZONELABS\VSMON.EXE -service
KB891711 Registry (Machine Service)
c:\windows\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE




"glee" wrote in message
...
Click StartRun, type MSINFO32 and click OK.
In the left pane of the System Information window, click the + sign to

expand the
"Software Environment" category.
In the left pane, click to select "Startup Programs"....they will

appear in a list
on the right.
Press Ctrl-A on the keyboard, which will highlight everything in the

list on the
right.
Press Ctrl-C to copy the list to the 'clipboard'.
Open a reply to this message, click in the body of the message and

press Ctrl-V to
paste the list from the clipboard to the message, and post back to

this thread.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Larry" wrote in message
...
With my Windows 98 Dell Dimension (purchased in 1998), for the

several
months I've had this problem with "memory leak" that folks here

already
explained to me. It means that after the computer has been on for a

day
or so, it starts running low on resources. I was able to live with
that, just turning the computer off more often or restarting.

But now it's getting worse. When I start it up, it's fine With

just my
background applications on (DSL connection, Zone alarm, Explorer,

etc.)
I have 60 percent of resources free (which in fact is only about

seven
percent lower than it's ever been at it's best). But within maybe

12
hours of the computer being on, resources have gotten so low that

the
task bar icons lose their appearance (losing their details and

color),
and all kinds of freeze-ups start to occur. It's only the last few
weeks that resources would get so low (with as few as seven or so
windows open) that the taskbar icons would lose their appearance and

I'd
have to restart to get some usable memory back.

Does this memory leak (if that's what it is), indicate an unfixable

loss
of functioning in the core components of the computer? Is there
anything to be done about about this?

Thanks for any advice.
Larry





  #7  
Old September 5th 05, 04:40 AM
Larry
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

The article doesn't tell how to find out what the available memory is.
I know how to find out available System resources, I click Winkey +
Break which opens System Properties, then I click on the Performance
tab. But where do I go to find out the available memory?

Also, I do shut down my computer at least once a day, so that's not an
issue.


"Brian A." gonefish'n@afarawaylake wrote in message
...
If you believe you have a memory leak, you need to tshoot to find

out what app
is causing it. A memory leak is caused by an application that loses

the ability
to release the memory, which is a cause in the programming of that

app.

Use of memory and resources are two separate things, 60% resources

is not a
concern. If you got down to around 5-10%, then you would need to

check into the
resources. For info on resources see:
http://www.aumha.org/win4/a/resource.htm

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375




"Larry" wrote in message
...
With my Windows 98 Dell Dimension (purchased in 1998), for the

several
months I've had this problem with "memory leak" that folks here

already
explained to me. It means that after the computer has been on for a

day
or so, it starts running low on resources. I was able to live with
that, just turning the computer off more often or restarting.

But now it's getting worse. When I start it up, it's fine With

just my
background applications on (DSL connection, Zone alarm, Explorer,

etc.)
I have 60 percent of resources free (which in fact is only about

seven
percent lower than it's ever been at it's best). But within maybe

12
hours of the computer being on, resources have gotten so low that

the
task bar icons lose their appearance (losing their details and

color),
and all kinds of freeze-ups start to occur. It's only the last few
weeks that resources would get so low (with as few as seven or so
windows open) that the taskbar icons would lose their appearance and

I'd
have to restart to get some usable memory back.

Does this memory leak (if that's what it is), indicate an unfixable

loss
of functioning in the core components of the computer? Is there
anything to be done about about this?

Thanks for any advice.
Larry





  #8  
Old September 5th 05, 05:13 AM
Larry
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Ok, I'm using the Resource meter with its real-time reading which is
useful.

The material is confusing, however. I gather that System resources and
User resources (which are always the same as each other) and GDI
resources are all subsets of RAM. Is that right? So then RAM
effectively divides into two components, System resources and GDI
resources?



Larry wrote:
The article doesn't tell how to find out what the available memory is.
I know how to find out available System resources, I click Winkey +
Break which opens System Properties, then I click on the Performance
tab. But where do I go to find out the available memory?

Also, I do shut down my computer at least once a day, so that's not an
issue.


"Brian A." gonefish'n@afarawaylake wrote in message
...
If you believe you have a memory leak, you need to tshoot to find

out what app
is causing it. A memory leak is caused by an application that loses

the ability
to release the memory, which is a cause in the programming of that

app.

Use of memory and resources are two separate things, 60% resources

is not a
concern. If you got down to around 5-10%, then you would need to

check into the
resources. For info on resources see:
http://www.aumha.org/win4/a/resource.htm

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375




"Larry" wrote in message
...
With my Windows 98 Dell Dimension (purchased in 1998), for the

several
months I've had this problem with "memory leak" that folks here

already
explained to me. It means that after the computer has been on
for a

day
or so, it starts running low on resources. I was able to live
with that, just turning the computer off more often or restarting.

But now it's getting worse. When I start it up, it's fine With

just my
background applications on (DSL connection, Zone alarm, Explorer,

etc.)
I have 60 percent of resources free (which in fact is only about

seven
percent lower than it's ever been at it's best). But within maybe

12
hours of the computer being on, resources have gotten so low that

the
task bar icons lose their appearance (losing their details and

color),
and all kinds of freeze-ups start to occur. It's only the last
few weeks that resources would get so low (with as few as seven
or so windows open) that the taskbar icons would lose their
appearance and

I'd
have to restart to get some usable memory back.

Does this memory leak (if that's what it is), indicate an
unfixable

loss
of functioning in the core components of the computer? Is there
anything to be done about about this?

Thanks for any advice.
Larry



  #9  
Old September 5th 05, 05:14 AM
Brian A.
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

If you want to monitor your memory, I believe System Monitor will do it. If
I'm wrong someone will advise.

If you do not already have it installed:
In Control Panel Add/Remove Programs Windows Setup tab
Scroll to System Tools and double click it
Scroll to System Monitor and put a check next to it.
Click Ok Apply Ok.

It may ask for your Win98 CD, so have it handy. If you do not have it, the
setup files may be on your hd usually in c:\windows\options\cabs.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375




"Larry" wrote in message
...
The article doesn't tell how to find out what the available memory is.
I know how to find out available System resources, I click Winkey +
Break which opens System Properties, then I click on the Performance
tab. But where do I go to find out the available memory?

Also, I do shut down my computer at least once a day, so that's not an
issue.


"Brian A." gonefish'n@afarawaylake wrote in message
...
If you believe you have a memory leak, you need to tshoot to find

out what app
is causing it. A memory leak is caused by an application that loses

the ability
to release the memory, which is a cause in the programming of that

app.

Use of memory and resources are two separate things, 60% resources

is not a
concern. If you got down to around 5-10%, then you would need to

check into the
resources. For info on resources see:
http://www.aumha.org/win4/a/resource.htm

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375




"Larry" wrote in message
...
With my Windows 98 Dell Dimension (purchased in 1998), for the

several
months I've had this problem with "memory leak" that folks here

already
explained to me. It means that after the computer has been on for a

day
or so, it starts running low on resources. I was able to live with
that, just turning the computer off more often or restarting.

But now it's getting worse. When I start it up, it's fine With

just my
background applications on (DSL connection, Zone alarm, Explorer,

etc.)
I have 60 percent of resources free (which in fact is only about

seven
percent lower than it's ever been at it's best). But within maybe

12
hours of the computer being on, resources have gotten so low that

the
task bar icons lose their appearance (losing their details and

color),
and all kinds of freeze-ups start to occur. It's only the last few
weeks that resources would get so low (with as few as seven or so
windows open) that the taskbar icons would lose their appearance and

I'd
have to restart to get some usable memory back.

Does this memory leak (if that's what it is), indicate an unfixable

loss
of functioning in the core components of the computer? Is there
anything to be done about about this?

Thanks for any advice.
Larry






  #10  
Old September 5th 05, 05:24 AM
Bill in Co.
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Larry wrote:
Ok, I'm using the Resource meter with its real-time reading which is
useful.

The material is confusing, however. I gather that System resources and
User resources (which are always the same as each other) and GDI
resources are all subsets of RAM. Is that right? So then RAM
effectively divides into two components, System resources and GDI
resources?


Yes. But what's more, it's not just "RAM" (at large), but only two, very
limited, 64K memory segments of RAM that are used for these resources in
Win98. (And there is nothing you can do to increase that figure)


Larry wrote:
The article doesn't tell how to find out what the available memory is.
I know how to find out available System resources, I click Winkey +
Break which opens System Properties, then I click on the Performance
tab. But where do I go to find out the available memory?

Also, I do shut down my computer at least once a day, so that's not an
issue.


"Brian A." gonefish'n@afarawaylake wrote in message
...
If you believe you have a memory leak, you need to tshoot to find out
what app is causing it. A memory leak is caused by an application that
loses the ability to release the memory, which is a cause in the
programming of that app.

Use of memory and resources are two separate things, 60% resources is

not
a concern. If you got down to around 5-10%, then you would need to

check
into the resources. For info on resources see:
http://www.aumha.org/win4/a/resource.htm

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375




"Larry" wrote in message
...
With my Windows 98 Dell Dimension (purchased in 1998), for the several
months I've had this problem with "memory leak" that folks here already
explained to me. It means that after the computer has been on
for a

day
or so, it starts running low on resources. I was able to live
with that, just turning the computer off more often or restarting.

But now it's getting worse. When I start it up, it's fine With just

my
background applications on (DSL connection, Zone alarm, Explorer, etc.)
I have 60 percent of resources free (which in fact is only about seven
percent lower than it's ever been at it's best). But within maybe 12
hours of the computer being on, resources have gotten so low that the
task bar icons lose their appearance (losing their details and color),
and all kinds of freeze-ups start to occur. It's only the last
few weeks that resources would get so low (with as few as seven
or so windows open) that the taskbar icons would lose their
appearance and

I'd
have to restart to get some usable memory back.

Does this memory leak (if that's what it is), indicate an
unfixable

loss
of functioning in the core components of the computer? Is there
anything to be done about about this?

Thanks for any advice.
Larry



 




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