Processor Usage

Hi,

I monitored the Swap file usage as suggested and it does indeed regularly
top 20 MB, in fact it often max's out at around 50MB. One thing I noticed
whilst doing this was that my processor frequently hits 100% - and not
necessarily when the swap file peaks. Is something that can be improved or
am I doomed to this?

Thanks


"Ron Martell" wrote in message
...
"Endulini" wrote:

Hi All,

I'm looking to increase my memory and have come across the infamous error
that means Windows 98SE throws a wobbly when more than 512MB is
installed.
I've read the work-arounds but can anyone explain, do you still get the
benefit from having more than 512MB RAM? In my limited understand they
seem
to be fooling/forcing the PC to accept that it has no more than 512MB
installed therefore is there any point in having more?

Thanks.


Adding more memory can noticeably improve performance only if the
added memory results in reduced usage of the virtual memory swap file.
Therefore if the swap file is not currently being used to any
significant extent then adding more memory will not provide a
significant improvement.

Before installing more RAM use the System Monitor utility that comes
with Windows and use Edit - Add to set it to track "Memory manager:
Swap file in use" for several days of normal to heavy usage. If "Swap
file in use" regularly shows as 20 mb or more then the swap file is
being used extensively and more memory would result in improved
performance. Otherwise it is not likely to make any noticeable
difference.

This applies regardless of how much or how little RAM is currently
installed in the computer.

If you do go beyond 512 mb of RAM with Windows 95/98/Me then you need
to add the following entry to the existing [vcache] section of the
system.ini file:

MaxFileCache=512000

That limits the amount of memory that Windows can map for use as disk
cache, thereby avoiding false "out of memory" errors that might
otherwise result.

It does not prevent Windows from using the full amount of the
installed RAM for Windows components, application programs, device
drivers, or data files.

Note that there is no documented instance that I am aware of Windows
95/98/Me being successfully used on a computer with more than 1.5 gb
of RAM installed unless the total RAM usage has been restricted by the
use of a MaxPhysPage entry in the [386enh] section of system.ini

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

"Endulini" wrote:

Hi,

I monitored the Swap file usage as suggested and it does indeed regularly
top 20 MB, in fact it often max's out at around 50MB. One thing I noticed
whilst doing this was that my processor frequently hits 100% - and not
necessarily when the swap file peaks. Is something that can be improved or
am I doomed to this?

Thanks


When your Processor usage is at or near 100% go to the Processes tab
in Task Manager and click twice on the CPU column header. That will
sort the process list into descending order based on CPU usage. The
first few items on the list will show you what is taking up the CPU
time.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

"Endulini" wrote:

Hi,

I monitored the Swap file usage as suggested and it does indeed regularly
top 20 MB, in fact it often max's out at around 50MB. One thing I noticed
whilst doing this was that my processor frequently hits 100% - and not
necessarily when the swap file peaks. Is something that can be improved or
am I doomed to this?

Thanks


When your Processor usage is at or near 100% go to the Processes tab
in Task Manager and click twice on the CPU column header. That will
sort the process list into descending order based on CPU usage. The
first few items on the list will show you what is taking up the CPU
time.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

"Endulini" wrote:

Hi,

I monitored the Swap file usage as suggested and it does indeed regularly
top 20 MB, in fact it often max's out at around 50MB. One thing I noticed
whilst doing this was that my processor frequently hits 100% - and not
necessarily when the swap file peaks. Is something that can be improved or
am I doomed to this?


Cancel that last reply - it was an XP answer and is not relevant for
Windows 98.

Apologies.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

"Endulini" wrote:

Hi,

I monitored the Swap file usage as suggested and it does indeed regularly
top 20 MB, in fact it often max's out at around 50MB. One thing I noticed
whilst doing this was that my processor frequently hits 100% - and not
necessarily when the swap file peaks. Is something that can be improved or
am I doomed to this?


Cancel that last reply - it was an XP answer and is not relevant for
Windows 98.

Apologies.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

"Ron Martell" wrote in message
...
"Endulini" wrote:

Hi,

I monitored the Swap file usage as suggested and it does indeed regularly
top 20 MB, in fact it often max's out at around 50MB. One thing I noticed
whilst doing this was that my processor frequently hits 100% - and not
necessarily when the swap file peaks. Is something that can be improved or
am I doomed to this?


Cancel that last reply - it was an XP answer and is not relevant for
Windows 98.

Apologies.

.....but you *can* do much the same thing in Win98 with the free utility, Process
Explorer:
http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilitie...sExplorer.html
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"Ron Martell" wrote in message
...
"Endulini" wrote:

Hi,

I monitored the Swap file usage as suggested and it does indeed regularly
top 20 MB, in fact it often max's out at around 50MB. One thing I noticed
whilst doing this was that my processor frequently hits 100% - and not
necessarily when the swap file peaks. Is something that can be improved or
am I doomed to this?


Cancel that last reply - it was an XP answer and is not relevant for
Windows 98.

Apologies.

.....but you *can* do much the same thing in Win98 with the free utility, Process
Explorer:
http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilitie...sExplorer.html
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm