A couple of questions about RAM and virtual memory...please help!

Hey all! I was wondering if I could get a suggestion or two concerning RAM,
vcache settings (in system.ini), & virtual memory settings on my PC. It would
seems that I am very knowledgable when it comes to diagnosing/correcting
system errors and such, but a PC's use of memory and various memory
allocation settings (RAM & virtual) has never been my strong point. Two
reasons being that, one, I have not been able to find any reliable material
that explains these things accurately and, two, I have found so much
conflicting information on the web that I am unsure what to believe.

Seeing as how I am currently unable to invest in more RAM, I guess my main
question would be this: What settings can I use that would be considered
optimal on a 64mb/700mhz PC to free up as much RAM as humanly possible?

Here is my problem...

I run a Windows ME Compaq Presario with 64mb of RAM with a 700mhz AMD Duron.
At any given point in time, the memory resources available to my PC are
extremely low. I have absolutely nothing booting with the OS during startup,
no external hardware except a DSL modem, and when checking my running
processes (via ctrl+alt+del), the only one running is Explorer.exe

At that time, I only have about 1-3% of my 64mb available and this frequently
drops to zero when doing something as trivial as opening a folder or running
a fairly small program, at which time at 0%, my system begins to lag. I have
run checks on my RAM overnight (via bootable disk) and everything there comes
back fine.

To be a bit more specific, here is a detailed example of the memory usage of
my PC without anything running other than EXPLORER.EXE:

Total RAM: 65,536kb
System Usage: 16,008kb (24%)
Cache: 7,872kb (12%)
Other Usage: 40,752kb (63%)
Available RAM: 904kb (1%)

Paging File Max Size: 2,032,204kb
Paging File Usage: 47,564kb (2%)

Is it normal for a 64mb Windows ME machine to absorb this much memory when
nothing is running other than the OS? If not, what could possibly be sucking
up so much resources?

Seeing as how my paging file system is being virtually unused, would I be
able to reap any benefits by increasing its usage? Would allowing more paging
files decrease the load on my available RAM? What's the difference (if any)
between paging files & swap files?

One thing that I have noticed is that I have several modules running in
memory that could be adding to the problem. Several "helper" modules such as
those for the Yahoo toolbar, Acrobat Reader, & Spybot S&D are always running
along with the mandatory OS modules (fonts, system DLLs, etc.). Is there a
way to safely disable these "third party" DLLs without uninstalling the
accompanying software?

I have the "Typical Role Of This Computer" set as "Server" in the system
performance settings but I have also seen tweaks that are added to the
registry to create more selections in order to increase the cache. Any
suggestions here?

I have the PC managing my Virtual Memory but I have heard conflicting ideas
on which is better; letting Windows manage it or setting it myself. I have
heard that 160mb min & max is supposed to be optimal for a 64mb machine.
Again, any suggestions?

Another supposed "tweak" that I have read about involves managing the Virtual
Cache settings through the SYSTEM.INI file. I have read that for a 64mb
machine, that the following settings are considered optimal (10% min & 25%
max of my total RAM in kilobytes):

[vcache]
MinFileCache=6144
MaxFileCache=16384
chunksize=1024

....and another SYSTEM.INI entry that I have encountered that I believe (if
memory serves me correct) is supposed to help optimize the use of paging
files under extreme load conditions:

[386Enh]
LocalLoadHigh=1

Once again, any ideas?


I have Googled and searched but I have found nothing except conflicting ideas
on what is supposed to be the best setup for managing memory. I know it is a
lot to ask of anyone to explain these things but I have been a lurker here
for quite some time and have grown to trust the advise of several within this
group. That is why I am asking for your help and/or advise. Any that you
might be able to give would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!
~Theta Sigma

I'd suggest starting from scratch...

Remove/Comment out the [vcache] entries, ME should be able to give a
half-decent allocation (remember when it came out 64MB was normal)

Give yourself a fixed minimum disk cache (.5 gig or so) but leave the
max open (ControlPanel/System/Performance/VirtualMemory)

Return Role to Desktop (Server implies you have alot of memory to begin
with I think)

Ditch all unnecessary crap from starting up... Acroread for instance is
unnecessary. Your choice as to whether you need S&D and Yahoo resident.


Now you can start tweaking.


Don't worry about the LoadHigh, that's just for DOS programs





Rick




Theta Sigma wrote:
Hey all! I was wondering if I could get a suggestion or two concerning RAM,
vcache settings (in system.ini), & virtual memory settings on my PC. It would
seems that I am very knowledgable when it comes to diagnosing/correcting
system errors and such, but a PC's use of memory and various memory
allocation settings (RAM & virtual) has never been my strong point. Two
reasons being that, one, I have not been able to find any reliable material
that explains these things accurately and, two, I have found so much
conflicting information on the web that I am unsure what to believe.

Seeing as how I am currently unable to invest in more RAM, I guess my main
question would be this: What settings can I use that would be considered
optimal on a 64mb/700mhz PC to free up as much RAM as humanly possible?

Here is my problem...

I run a Windows ME Compaq Presario with 64mb of RAM with a 700mhz AMD Duron.
At any given point in time, the memory resources available to my PC are
extremely low. I have absolutely nothing booting with the OS during startup,
no external hardware except a DSL modem, and when checking my running
processes (via ctrl+alt+del), the only one running is Explorer.exe

At that time, I only have about 1-3% of my 64mb available and this frequently
drops to zero when doing something as trivial as opening a folder or running
a fairly small program, at which time at 0%, my system begins to lag. I have
run checks on my RAM overnight (via bootable disk) and everything there comes
back fine.

To be a bit more specific, here is a detailed example of the memory usage of
my PC without anything running other than EXPLORER.EXE:

Total RAM: 65,536kb
System Usage: 16,008kb (24%)
Cache: 7,872kb (12%)
Other Usage: 40,752kb (63%)
Available RAM: 904kb (1%)

Paging File Max Size: 2,032,204kb
Paging File Usage: 47,564kb (2%)

Is it normal for a 64mb Windows ME machine to absorb this much memory when
nothing is running other than the OS? If not, what could possibly be sucking
up so much resources?

Seeing as how my paging file system is being virtually unused, would I be
able to reap any benefits by increasing its usage? Would allowing more paging
files decrease the load on my available RAM? What's the difference (if any)
between paging files & swap files?

One thing that I have noticed is that I have several modules running in
memory that could be adding to the problem. Several "helper" modules such as
those for the Yahoo toolbar, Acrobat Reader, & Spybot S&D are always running
along with the mandatory OS modules (fonts, system DLLs, etc.). Is there a
way to safely disable these "third party" DLLs without uninstalling the
accompanying software?

I have the "Typical Role Of This Computer" set as "Server" in the system
performance settings but I have also seen tweaks that are added to the
registry to create more selections in order to increase the cache. Any
suggestions here?

I have the PC managing my Virtual Memory but I have heard conflicting ideas
on which is better; letting Windows manage it or setting it myself. I have
heard that 160mb min & max is supposed to be optimal for a 64mb machine.
Again, any suggestions?

Another supposed "tweak" that I have read about involves managing the Virtual
Cache settings through the SYSTEM.INI file. I have read that for a 64mb
machine, that the following settings are considered optimal (10% min & 25%
max of my total RAM in kilobytes):

[vcache]
MinFileCache=6144
MaxFileCache=16384
chunksize=1024

...and another SYSTEM.INI entry that I have encountered that I believe (if
memory serves me correct) is supposed to help optimize the use of paging
files under extreme load conditions:

[386Enh]
LocalLoadHigh=1

Once again, any ideas?


I have Googled and searched but I have found nothing except conflicting ideas
on what is supposed to be the best setup for managing memory. I know it is a
lot to ask of anyone to explain these things but I have been a lurker here
for quite some time and have grown to trust the advise of several within this
group. That is why I am asking for your help and/or advise. Any that you
might be able to give would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!
~Theta Sigma

I fear you're misinterpreting much of what you're seeing on those reports.
You are using 41mb of swapfile to substitute for physical memory (RAM) you
do not have. This is going to slow the system down. The rest of the
numbers you're looking at have no bearing whatsoever.

The very first thing you need to do is remove the vcache settings that you
have put into the SYSTEM.INI file. The second thing you need to do is add
more memory, at least another 64mb at a minimum.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Theta Sigma" wrote in message
...
Hey all! I was wondering if I could get a suggestion or two concerning
RAM,
vcache settings (in system.ini), & virtual memory settings on my PC. It
would
seems that I am very knowledgable when it comes to diagnosing/correcting
system errors and such, but a PC's use of memory and various memory
allocation settings (RAM & virtual) has never been my strong point. Two
reasons being that, one, I have not been able to find any reliable
material
that explains these things accurately and, two, I have found so much
conflicting information on the web that I am unsure what to believe.

Seeing as how I am currently unable to invest in more RAM, I guess my main
question would be this: What settings can I use that would be considered
optimal on a 64mb/700mhz PC to free up as much RAM as humanly possible?

Here is my problem...

I run a Windows ME Compaq Presario with 64mb of RAM with a 700mhz AMD
Duron.
At any given point in time, the memory resources available to my PC are
extremely low. I have absolutely nothing booting with the OS during
startup,
no external hardware except a DSL modem, and when checking my running
processes (via ctrl+alt+del), the only one running is Explorer.exe

At that time, I only have about 1-3% of my 64mb available and this
frequently
drops to zero when doing something as trivial as opening a folder or
running
a fairly small program, at which time at 0%, my system begins to lag. I
have
run checks on my RAM overnight (via bootable disk) and everything there
comes
back fine.

To be a bit more specific, here is a detailed example of the memory usage
of
my PC without anything running other than EXPLORER.EXE:

Total RAM: 65,536kb
System Usage: 16,008kb (24%)
Cache: 7,872kb (12%)
Other Usage: 40,752kb (63%)
Available RAM: 904kb (1%)

Paging File Max Size: 2,032,204kb
Paging File Usage: 47,564kb (2%)

Is it normal for a 64mb Windows ME machine to absorb this much memory when
nothing is running other than the OS? If not, what could possibly be
sucking
up so much resources?

Seeing as how my paging file system is being virtually unused, would I be
able to reap any benefits by increasing its usage? Would allowing more
paging
files decrease the load on my available RAM? What's the difference (if
any)
between paging files & swap files?

One thing that I have noticed is that I have several modules running in
memory that could be adding to the problem. Several "helper" modules such
as
those for the Yahoo toolbar, Acrobat Reader, & Spybot S&D are always
running
along with the mandatory OS modules (fonts, system DLLs, etc.). Is there a
way to safely disable these "third party" DLLs without uninstalling the
accompanying software?

I have the "Typical Role Of This Computer" set as "Server" in the system
performance settings but I have also seen tweaks that are added to the
registry to create more selections in order to increase the cache. Any
suggestions here?

I have the PC managing my Virtual Memory but I have heard conflicting
ideas
on which is better; letting Windows manage it or setting it myself. I have
heard that 160mb min & max is supposed to be optimal for a 64mb machine.
Again, any suggestions?

Another supposed "tweak" that I have read about involves managing the
Virtual
Cache settings through the SYSTEM.INI file. I have read that for a 64mb
machine, that the following settings are considered optimal (10% min & 25%
max of my total RAM in kilobytes):

[vcache]
MinFileCache=6144
MaxFileCache=16384
chunksize=1024

...and another SYSTEM.INI entry that I have encountered that I believe (if
memory serves me correct) is supposed to help optimize the use of paging
files under extreme load conditions:

[386Enh]
LocalLoadHigh=1

Once again, any ideas?


I have Googled and searched but I have found nothing except conflicting
ideas
on what is supposed to be the best setup for managing memory. I know it is
a
lot to ask of anyone to explain these things but I have been a lurker here
for quite some time and have grown to trust the advise of several within
this
group. That is why I am asking for your help and/or advise. Any that you
might be able to give would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!
~Theta Sigma

I have a 700mhz AMD Duron, but with 512 MB of RAM installed, because of
previous problems with less memory (128 and even 256 MB).
No more problems now and if so, TweakAll will be retrieving memory for me,
as it does on occasions at
my request.
Did you consider visiting a nearby computer show, Theata?
Just a thought and forgive the 'butt-in', please.

Harry.


"Richard G. Harper" wrote in message
...
I fear you're misinterpreting much of what you're seeing on those reports.
You are using 41mb of swapfile to substitute for physical memory (RAM) you
do not have. This is going to slow the system down. The rest of the
numbers you're looking at have no bearing whatsoever.

The very first thing you need to do is remove the vcache settings that you
have put into the SYSTEM.INI file. The second thing you need to do is add
more memory, at least another 64mb at a minimum.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Theta Sigma" wrote in message
...
Hey all! I was wondering if I could get a suggestion or two concerning
RAM,
vcache settings (in system.ini), & virtual memory settings on my PC. It
would
seems that I am very knowledgable when it comes to diagnosing/correcting
system errors and such, but a PC's use of memory and various memory
allocation settings (RAM & virtual) has never been my strong point. Two
reasons being that, one, I have not been able to find any reliable
material
that explains these things accurately and, two, I have found so much
conflicting information on the web that I am unsure what to believe.

Seeing as how I am currently unable to invest in more RAM, I guess my
main
question would be this: What settings can I use that would be considered
optimal on a 64mb/700mhz PC to free up as much RAM as humanly possible?

Here is my problem...

I run a Windows ME Compaq Presario with 64mb of RAM with a 700mhz AMD
Duron.
At any given point in time, the memory resources available to my PC are
extremely low. I have absolutely nothing booting with the OS during
startup,
no external hardware except a DSL modem, and when checking my running
processes (via ctrl+alt+del), the only one running is Explorer.exe

At that time, I only have about 1-3% of my 64mb available and this
frequently
drops to zero when doing something as trivial as opening a folder or
running
a fairly small program, at which time at 0%, my system begins to lag. I
have
run checks on my RAM overnight (via bootable disk) and everything there
comes
back fine.

To be a bit more specific, here is a detailed example of the memory
usage
of
my PC without anything running other than EXPLORER.EXE:

Total RAM: 65,536kb
System Usage: 16,008kb (24%)
Cache: 7,872kb (12%)
Other Usage: 40,752kb (63%)
Available RAM: 904kb (1%)

Paging File Max Size: 2,032,204kb
Paging File Usage: 47,564kb (2%)

Is it normal for a 64mb Windows ME machine to absorb this much memory
when
nothing is running other than the OS? If not, what could possibly be
sucking
up so much resources?

Seeing as how my paging file system is being virtually unused, would I
be
able to reap any benefits by increasing its usage? Would allowing more
paging
files decrease the load on my available RAM? What's the difference (if
any)
between paging files & swap files?

One thing that I have noticed is that I have several modules running in

memory that could be adding to the problem. Several "helper" modules
such
as
those for the Yahoo toolbar, Acrobat Reader, & Spybot S&D are always
running
along with the mandatory OS modules (fonts, system DLLs, etc.). Is there
a
way to safely disable these "third party" DLLs without uninstalling the
accompanying software?

I have the "Typical Role Of This Computer" set as "Server" in the system
performance settings but I have also seen tweaks that are added to the
registry to create more selections in order to increase the cache. Any
suggestions here?

I have the PC managing my Virtual Memory but I have heard conflicting
ideas
on which is better; letting Windows manage it or setting it myself. I
have
heard that 160mb min & max is supposed to be optimal for a 64mb machine.
Again, any suggestions?

Another supposed "tweak" that I have read about involves managing the
Virtual
Cache settings through the SYSTEM.INI file. I have read that for a 64mb
machine, that the following settings are considered optimal (10% min &
25%
max of my total RAM in kilobytes):

[vcache]
MinFileCache=6144
MaxFileCache=16384
chunksize=1024

...and another SYSTEM.INI entry that I have encountered that I believe
(if
memory serves me correct) is supposed to help optimize the use of paging
files under extreme load conditions:

[386Enh]
LocalLoadHigh=1

Once again, any ideas?


I have Googled and searched but I have found nothing except conflicting
ideas
on what is supposed to be the best setup for managing memory. I know it
is
a
lot to ask of anyone to explain these things but I have been a lurker
here
for quite some time and have grown to trust the advise of several within
this
group. That is why I am asking for your help and/or advise. Any that you
might be able to give would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!
~Theta Sigma

I forgot to mention in my previous post that I am not using any of the so-
called "tweaks" that I listed. I was only seeking an opinion on them and to
ask about the validity of their use.

All of my settings are just as they come from the manufacturer except for the
"Role of This Computer" is set to server instead of desktop.

Any help in optimizing memory usage still appreciated.

~Theta Sigma



Theta Sigma wrote in
:

Hey all! I was wondering if I could get a suggestion or two concerning
RAM, vcache settings (in system.ini), & virtual memory settings on my
PC. It would seems that I am very knowledgable when it comes to
diagnosing/correcting system errors and such, but a PC's use of memory
and various memory allocation settings (RAM & virtual) has never been my
strong point. Two reasons being that, one, I have not been able to find
any reliable material that explains these things accurately and, two, I
have found so much conflicting information on the web that I am unsure
what to believe.

Seeing as how I am currently unable to invest in more RAM, I guess my
main question would be this: What settings can I use that would be
considered optimal on a 64mb/700mhz PC to free up as much RAM as humanly
possible?

Here is my problem...

I run a Windows ME Compaq Presario with 64mb of RAM with a 700mhz AMD
Duron. At any given point in time, the memory resources available to my
PC are extremely low. I have absolutely nothing booting with the OS
during startup, no external hardware except a DSL modem, and when
checking my running processes (via ctrl+alt+del), the only one running
is Explorer.exe

At that time, I only have about 1-3% of my 64mb available and this
frequently drops to zero when doing something as trivial as opening a
folder or running a fairly small program, at which time at 0%, my system
begins to lag. I have run checks on my RAM overnight (via bootable disk)
and everything there comes back fine.

To be a bit more specific, here is a detailed example of the memory
usage of my PC without anything running other than EXPLORER.EXE:

Total RAM: 65,536kb
System Usage: 16,008kb (24%)
Cache: 7,872kb (12%)
Other Usage: 40,752kb (63%)
Available RAM: 904kb (1%)

Paging File Max Size: 2,032,204kb
Paging File Usage: 47,564kb (2%)

Is it normal for a 64mb Windows ME machine to absorb this much memory
when nothing is running other than the OS? If not, what could possibly
be sucking up so much resources?

Seeing as how my paging file system is being virtually unused, would I
be able to reap any benefits by increasing its usage? Would allowing
more paging files decrease the load on my available RAM? What's the
difference (if any) between paging files & swap files?

One thing that I have noticed is that I have several modules running in
memory that could be adding to the problem. Several "helper" modules
such as those for the Yahoo toolbar, Acrobat Reader, & Spybot S&D are
always running along with the mandatory OS modules (fonts, system DLLs,
etc.). Is there a way to safely disable these "third party" DLLs without
uninstalling the accompanying software?

I have the "Typical Role Of This Computer" set as "Server" in the system
performance settings but I have also seen tweaks that are added to the
registry to create more selections in order to increase the cache. Any
suggestions here?

I have the PC managing my Virtual Memory but I have heard conflicting
ideas on which is better; letting Windows manage it or setting it
myself. I have heard that 160mb min & max is supposed to be optimal for
a 64mb machine. Again, any suggestions?

Another supposed "tweak" that I have read about involves managing the
Virtual Cache settings through the SYSTEM.INI file. I have read that for
a 64mb machine, that the following settings are considered optimal (10%
min & 25% max of my total RAM in kilobytes):

[vcache]
MinFileCache=6144
MaxFileCache=16384
chunksize=1024

...and another SYSTEM.INI entry that I have encountered that I believe
(if memory serves me correct) is supposed to help optimize the use of
paging files under extreme load conditions:

[386Enh]
LocalLoadHigh=1

Once again, any ideas?


I have Googled and searched but I have found nothing except conflicting
ideas on what is supposed to be the best setup for managing memory. I
know it is a lot to ask of anyone to explain these things but I have
been a lurker here for quite some time and have grown to trust the
advise of several within this group. That is why I am asking for your
help and/or advise. Any that you might be able to give would be greatly
appreciated!!

Thanks!
~Theta Sigma

Rick T wrote in
:

I'd suggest starting from scratch...

Remove/Comment out the [vcache] entries, ME should be able to give a
half-decent allocation (remember when it came out 64MB was normal)

I haven't added that setting to my System.ini file. I only listed it in my
original post to see if I could get some info on its use.


Give yourself a fixed minimum disk cache (.5 gig or so) but leave the
max open (ControlPanel/System/Performance/VirtualMemory)

How do you leave the max open? Do you just leave it blank?


Return Role to Desktop (Server implies you have alot of memory to begin
with I think)

Ditch all unnecessary crap from starting up... Acroread for instance is
unnecessary. Your choice as to whether you need S&D and Yahoo resident.


There is nothing running at startup. The Yahoo, Spybot S&D, & Acrobat are
"helper" DLLs that are resident in memory to assist in things like opening a
PDF in IE or allowing the Yahoo Toolbar to be present in the OS's explorer
windows. Can they be disabled without causing problems or having to uninstall
the accompanying programs?


Now you can start tweaking.


How? That was the purpose of my original post. I have heard so much
conflicting info on tweak/optimizing memory usage that I am unsure of what to
trust.


Don't worry about the LoadHigh, that's just for DOS programs


Thanks for that info on LocalLoad. I am not currently using that setting (or
any of the other "tweaks" that I mentioned). It seems that I remember reading
that it was DOS related somewhere now that I think about it.





Rick


Thanks for the advise.

~Theta Sigma

"Richard G. Harper" wrote in
:

I fear you're misinterpreting much of what you're seeing on those reports.
You are using 41mb of swapfile to substitute for physical memory (RAM) you
do not have. This is going to slow the system down.

Excatly the purpose of my original post. Why is my memory usage so high when
only running the operating system and nothing else? All of my memory settings
are just as they were when the PC left the store 5 years ago. No external
hardware, nothing loading at startup with Windows, etc. but still I have no
free RAM.

The rest of the numbers you're looking at have no bearing whatsoever.


Hmmm...I listed the numbers for my RAM usage and the page file usage. So
assuming that you are refering to the paging files as "the rest of those
numbers" (but please correct me if mistaken), how can the size of my paging
files have no bearing in relation to my available RAM?

The very first thing you need to do is remove the vcache settings that you
have put into the SYSTEM.INI file.

I am not using any of those settings that I inquired about. I am only asking
about them in order to gain info on them.

The second thing you need to do is add more memory, at least another 64mb
at a minimum.


I wish I had the money to spare. I was hit head-on by a drunk and won't be
able to return to work for a while. It has made the funds a little tight
lately.

I appreciate your response and hope that you might be able to clear up these
questions for me.

TIA

~Theta Sigma

"webster72n" wrote in
:


I have a 700mhz AMD Duron, but with 512 MB of RAM installed, because of
previous problems with less memory (128 and even 256 MB).
No more problems now and if so, TweakAll will be retrieving memory for me,
as it does on occasions at
my request.
Did you consider visiting a nearby computer show, Theata?
Just a thought and forgive the 'butt-in', please.

Harry.



It's no problem Harry. I appreciate the suggestion but due to a drunk driver,
I really don't have the money to invest in more memory right now.

As for TweakAll, what exactly is it? Is some sort of "memory optimizer"? From
personal experience "memory optimizers" have done nothing but sap my PC of
resources. At only 64mb, just having the application open uses more memory in
some cases, than what it is supposed to restore.

Besides, from what I understand, these programs only push apps and such out
of physical RAM into the paging file which results in the system slowing down
because it takes RAM & more time to retrieve info from the paging files than
it does from the physical memory. At 64mb, this can be a killer.

Thanks for the suggestions.

~Theta Sigma

I am really sorry to hear about your misfortune, Theta.
Will you get some compensation in the near future?
If so, you know what you must do.
If not, there is really not much you can do, except for keeping your
downloads and programs to a bare minimum, unless one of our "gurus" has a
better solution for you. Just be a little patient until tomorrow.

Harry.


"Theta Sigma" wrote in message
...
"webster72n" wrote in
:


I have a 700mhz AMD Duron, but with 512 MB of RAM installed, because of
previous problems with less memory (128 and even 256 MB).
No more problems now and if so, TweakAll will be retrieving memory for
me,
as it does on occasions at
my request.
Did you consider visiting a nearby computer show, Theata?
Just a thought and forgive the 'butt-in', please.

Harry.



It's no problem Harry. I appreciate the suggestion but due to a drunk
driver,
I really don't have the money to invest in more memory right now.

As for TweakAll, what exactly is it? Is some sort of "memory optimizer"?
From
personal experience "memory optimizers" have done nothing but sap my PC of
resources. At only 64mb, just having the application open uses more memory
in
some cases, than what it is supposed to restore.

Besides, from what I understand, these programs only push apps and such
out
of physical RAM into the paging file which results in the system slowing
down
because it takes RAM & more time to retrieve info from the paging files
than
it does from the physical memory. At 64mb, this can be a killer.

Thanks for the suggestions.

~Theta Sigma

First, 64mb of memory is nothing. It's like fitting five adults into a
Volkswagon Beetle - yeah, it works; but it sure isn't fun. The fact that
you're already into the swapfile with nothing but Explorer running means you
need to add more memory. There's no magic cure, no way around it ... if
you're using swapfile you need more memory.

The fact that you're only using a few percent of the available swapfile is a
meaningless fact. If your swapfile were only 128mb instead of 2048mb then
you'd see a larger percent in use figure. It's meaningless to the
discussion at hand.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Theta Sigma" wrote in message
...
"Richard G. Harper" wrote in
:

I fear you're misinterpreting much of what you're seeing on those
reports.
You are using 41mb of swapfile to substitute for physical memory (RAM)
you
do not have. This is going to slow the system down.

Excatly the purpose of my original post. Why is my memory usage so high
when
only running the operating system and nothing else? All of my memory
settings
are just as they were when the PC left the store 5 years ago. No external
hardware, nothing loading at startup with Windows, etc. but still I have
no
free RAM.

The rest of the numbers you're looking at have no bearing whatsoever.


Hmmm...I listed the numbers for my RAM usage and the page file usage. So
assuming that you are refering to the paging files as "the rest of those
numbers" (but please correct me if mistaken), how can the size of my
paging
files have no bearing in relation to my available RAM?

The very first thing you need to do is remove the vcache settings that
you
have put into the SYSTEM.INI file.

I am not using any of those settings that I inquired about. I am only
asking
about them in order to gain info on them.

The second thing you need to do is add more memory, at least another 64mb
at a minimum.


I wish I had the money to spare. I was hit head-on by a drunk and won't be
able to return to work for a while. It has made the funds a little tight
lately.

I appreciate your response and hope that you might be able to clear up
these
questions for me.

TIA

~Theta Sigma