If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
shrinking available resources
Windows 98, Dell, 333 MH, 64 MB Ram.
Lately every few days, the available resources shrink. For example, right now, with the heavy applications all off (Word, OE, IE), my available resources are only 23 percent free. Normally it would be much more than that, around 64 percent. I need to restart the computer to get the free resources up to a normal level. Then after a few days it will start to shrink again. Larry |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
shrinking available resources
Are you saying you leave the computer on for days on end? Naturally your
resources will vanish, if you do that. Shut it down, if you will be away for two hours, even! -- Thanks or Good Luck, There may be humor in this post, and, Naturally, you will not sue, should things get worse after this, PCR "Larry" wrote in message ... | Windows 98, Dell, 333 MH, 64 MB Ram. | | Lately every few days, the available resources shrink. For example, | right now, with the heavy applications all off (Word, OE, IE), my | available resources are only 23 percent free. Normally it would be much | more than that, around 64 percent. I need to restart the computer to | get the free resources up to a normal level. Then after a few days it | will start to shrink again. | | Larry | | | | |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
shrinking available resources
If you're in the habit of leaving the machine on without restarting for days
on end, this is fairly common in some systems. Always has been. But if, as you say, it has only become apparent recently, it may be easier to pinpoint the cause. It may simply be some update to Windows, but some change in other programming, or one or another update to your background apps is at least as much if not more likely. Unfortunately, with a problem that takes days to develop, your t-shooting is correspondingly slow going. Normal procedure is to disable all background programming and see if that remedies the problem and, assuming it does, then proceed to add items back in, one at a time, until you find the one that does it. Still, if you want some "experienced guessers" to weigh in on the most likely suspects, use MSINFO32 (run from the Start\Run box.) Expand the Software Environment section, click on Startup Programs, click anywhere in the right-hand pane, then use Ctrl-A to Select All, Ctrl-C to Copy, and then Paste it into a Reply to this thread (can use Ctrl-V.) -- Gary S. Terhune MS MVP for Win9x "Larry" wrote in message ... Windows 98, Dell, 333 MH, 64 MB Ram. Lately every few days, the available resources shrink. For example, right now, with the heavy applications all off (Word, OE, IE), my available resources are only 23 percent free. Normally it would be much more than that, around 64 percent. I need to restart the computer to get the free resources up to a normal level. Then after a few days it will start to shrink again. Larry |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
shrinking available resources
Only 64 megabytes on this machine --- that is really small these days --- is
it a laptop? Would it be easy to upgrade to128 mb's -- since it is only 333 Mhz. I wouldn't buy any more ram then this since it seems like it is time for another machine if you can afford a cheap one. I say this because I see computers as tools and although extremely useful they are hardly as important as food and shelter. : "Larry" wrote in message ... Windows 98, Dell, 333 MH, 64 MB Ram. Lately every few days, the available resources shrink. For example, right now, with the heavy applications all off (Word, OE, IE), my available resources are only 23 percent free. Normally it would be much more than that, around 64 percent. I need to restart the computer to get the free resources up to a normal level. Then after a few days it will start to shrink again. Larry |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
shrinking available resources
Hi ArtWilder,
You're not confusing resources with RAM are you? If so, see he http://aumha.org/win4/a/resource.htm -- Curt--not the MVP by the same name W98 Support & Discussion: http://dundats.proboards27.com/index.cgi Windows How-tos and and Freewa http://mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/ Windows Help & Discussion: http://forum.aumha.org/ "ArtWilder" wrote in message news:8Uzxc.28021$My6.24381@fed1read05... Only 64 megabytes on this machine --- that is really small these days --- is it a laptop? Would it be easy to upgrade to128 mb's -- since it is only 333 Mhz. I wouldn't buy any more ram then this since it seems like it is time for another machine if you can afford a cheap one. I say this because I see computers as tools and although extremely useful they are hardly as important as food and shelter. : "Larry" wrote in message ... Windows 98, Dell, 333 MH, 64 MB Ram. Lately every few days, the available resources shrink. For example, right now, with the heavy applications all off (Word, OE, IE), my available resources are only 23 percent free. Normally it would be much more than that, around 64 percent. I need to restart the computer to get the free resources up to a normal level. Then after a few days it will start to shrink again. Larry --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.701 / Virus Database: 458 - Release Date: 6/7/04 |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
shrinking available resources
Thanks, all. First, I don't leave the computer on for days at a time, but for two days at most. When I say the problem is cumulative, I mean that over several days (during which time the computer has been occasionally turned off) the available resources (shown in System Properties, Performance tab) gets real low. Normally, if only Windows is on, and no major programs are on, the available resources are about 64%. Right now, with Word and OE open, it's at 45%. But last night it was down to around 13%. Here's the information you requested library Startup Group C:\Documents\library.rtl WinKey Startup Group "C:\Program Files\WinKey\WinKey.exe" The Icon Corral Startup Group "C:\Program Files\IconCorral\IconCorral.exe" Winword Startup Group "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\WINWORD.EXE" Flywheel Startup Group "C:\Program Files\Plannet Crafters\Flywheel\Flywheel.exe" 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 Zone Labs Client Registry (Machine Run) C:\PROGRA~1\ZONELA~1\ZONEAL~1\zlclient.exe TkBellExe Registry (Machine Run) "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot LoadPowerProfile Registry (Machine Service) Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme TrueVector Registry (Machine Service) C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ZONELABS\VSMON.EXE -service "Gary S. Terhune" wrote in message ... If you're in the habit of leaving the machine on without restarting for days on end, this is fairly common in some systems. Always has been. But if, as you say, it has only become apparent recently, it may be easier to pinpoint the cause. It may simply be some update to Windows, but some change in other programming, or one or another update to your background apps is at least as much if not more likely. Unfortunately, with a problem that takes days to develop, your t-shooting is correspondingly slow going. Normal procedure is to disable all background programming and see if that remedies the problem and, assuming it does, then proceed to add items back in, one at a time, until you find the one that does it. Still, if you want some "experienced guessers" to weigh in on the most likely suspects, use MSINFO32 (run from the Start\Run box.) Expand the Software Environment section, click on Startup Programs, click anywhere in the right-hand pane, then use Ctrl-A to Select All, Ctrl-C to Copy, and then Paste it into a Reply to this thread (can use Ctrl-V.) -- Gary S. Terhune MS MVP for Win9x "Larry" wrote in message ... Windows 98, Dell, 333 MH, 64 MB Ram. Lately every few days, the available resources shrink. For example, right now, with the heavy applications all off (Word, OE, IE), my available resources are only 23 percent free. Normally it would be much more than that, around 64 percent. I need to restart the computer to get the free resources up to a normal level. Then after a few days it will start to shrink again. Larry |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
shrinking available resources
"Larry" wrote in message
... Thanks, all. First, I don't leave the computer on for days at a time, but for two days at most. When I say the problem is cumulative, I mean that over several days (during which time the computer has been occasionally turned off) the available resources (shown in System Properties, Performance tab) gets real low. Normally, if only Windows is on, and no major programs are on, the available resources are about 64%. Right now, with Word and OE open, it's at 45%. But last night it was down to around 13%. OK, first of all, when Windows restarts it should all go back to square one--any accumulating drain on Resources should be wiped out. That you notice a progressive problem over the course of several days, presumably followed by a (sudden?) return to what you're used to--that's very odd. You have a somewhat heavy background load if you only have 64% Resources after starting. I'll go through and comment on each of the items you list below. A few of them are definitely not problems, some are things I would recommend anyone get rid of (from the startup axis, anyway) and others are ones you should consider carefully, and or suspect of causing the drain. FYI, the best discussion I know of on Resources is by Jim Eshelman, MS MVP, at http://aumha.org/win4/a/resource.htm Lastly, it may simply be that one of your normal apps, Word for instance, or IE/OE, has developed a problem and needs to be repaired. The following are started by shortcuts in your Start\Programs\Startup menu (That's that the notation "Startup Group" means.) library Startup Group C:\Documents\library.rtl No idea what this is. Do you know? WinKey Startup Group "C:\Program Files\WinKey\WinKey.exe" Not something I use, and if you don't, I'd dump it. The Icon Corral Startup Group "C:\Program Files\IconCorral\IconCorral.exe" I'm supposing some desktop icon manager. Do you *really* need this? GDI (graphical) Resources are the most prone to creating problems, and I can't help but think that an icon manager won't have serious impact on GDI Resources if not performing perfectly. Winword Startup Group "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\WINWORD.EXE" You have Word set to open with startup? What version, by the way? Flywheel Startup Group "C:\Program Files\Plannet Crafters\Flywheel\Flywheel.exe" No idea what this is. The following are started by commands in the Registry, specifically the following key: HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run ScanRegistry Registry (Machine Run) c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun Performs integrity scan of Registry and daily backup. LEAVE IT! SystemTray Registry (Machine Run) SysTray.Exe Provides a home for your Volume Control if nothing else. Harmless, leave it. LoadPowerProfile Registry (Machine Run) Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme This and the one below load your Power Savings Scheme. Even if you don't "have" one, leave this. Leave *both* of them. AT&T DSL Service PCA Program Registry (Machine Run) C:\Program Files\AT&T\DSL\programs\dslpca.exe /ws I'm assuming you need this one to get online? If not, you should consider it a strong suspect, at least. I don't recognize it as necessary hardware support or just guck installed by AT&T that you really don't need. Again, this one sets off alarms. Tweak UI Registry (Machine Run) RUNDLL32.EXE TWEAKUI.CPL,TweakMeUp I'm not a fan of TUI, but I seriously doubt it has any impact on Resources. Maybe someone else knows. Zone Labs Client Registry (Machine Run) C:\PROGRA~1\ZONELA~1\ZONEAL~1\zlclient.exe Gotta have it, and should be no problem, but I'd include it in the list of possible suspects. TkBellExe Registry (Machine Run) "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot Get rid of this one, period! Pure garbage. LoadPowerProfile Registry (Machine Service) Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme Discussed above. TrueVector Registry (Machine Service) C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ZONELABS\VSMON.EXE -service Discussed above. To test (best done overnight), run MSCONFIG from the Start\Run box and choose Selective Startup, then disable all items except WIN.INI and SYSTEM.INI. Then *physically* disconnect your machine from the internet. Restart and see what your resources look like. Then leave the machine alone overnight or all day--the longer the better--and see what happens. If there's no obvious drain, re-enable just ZoneAlarm (BUT--you have no antivirus?) and whatever is the minimum necessary to reconnect to the internet. Go through the day normally, keeping *accurate* track of what you're doing. Might also want to start Resource Meter and have it keep a log. Then add back in the normal stuff I said you should leave, then one-by-one add the questionable items. I notice that at least one standard item is missing--TASKMON--which logs usage in order to assist in optimization during DEFRAG. Is this on purpose? If so, no biggy. And, as noted, there is an obvious lack of any background Antivirus? What's up with that? Do you *currently* have anything disabled in MSCONFIG? Anything that's disabled there will not show up in the MSINFO32 list. That's enough for now, I hope. See how it goes. -- Gary S. Terhune MS MVP for Win9x "Gary S. Terhune" wrote in message ... If you're in the habit of leaving the machine on without restarting for days on end, this is fairly common in some systems. Always has been. But if, as you say, it has only become apparent recently, it may be easier to pinpoint the cause. It may simply be some update to Windows, but some change in other programming, or one or another update to your background apps is at least as much if not more likely. Unfortunately, with a problem that takes days to develop, your t-shooting is correspondingly slow going. Normal procedure is to disable all background programming and see if that remedies the problem and, assuming it does, then proceed to add items back in, one at a time, until you find the one that does it. Still, if you want some "experienced guessers" to weigh in on the most likely suspects, use MSINFO32 (run from the Start\Run box.) Expand the Software Environment section, click on Startup Programs, click anywhere in the right-hand pane, then use Ctrl-A to Select All, Ctrl-C to Copy, and then Paste it into a Reply to this thread (can use Ctrl-V.) -- Gary S. Terhune MS MVP for Win9x "Larry" wrote in message ... Windows 98, Dell, 333 MH, 64 MB Ram. Lately every few days, the available resources shrink. For example, right now, with the heavy applications all off (Word, OE, IE), my available resources are only 23 percent free. Normally it would be much more than that, around 64 percent. I need to restart the computer to get the free resources up to a normal level. Then after a few days it will start to shrink again. Larry |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
shrinking available resources
You have a somewhat heavy background load if you only have 64% Resources after starting. I'll go through and comment on each of the items you list below. A few of them are definitely not problems, some are things I would recommend anyone get rid of (from the startup axis, anyway) and others are ones you should consider carefully, and or suspect of causing the drain. FYI, the best discussion I know of on Resources is by Jim Eshelman, MS MVP, at http://aumha.org/win4/a/resource.htm Lastly, it may simply be that one of your normal apps, Word for instance, or IE/OE, has developed a problem and needs to be repaired. Gary, you're going to find me a difficult "patient," since my programs all serve a useful purpose and they haven't given me trouble before. The following are started by shortcuts in your Start\Programs\Startup menu (That's that the notation "Startup Group" means.) library Startup Group C:\Documents\library.rtl No idea what this is. Do you know? That's robotype, a little autocorrect-type program that loads in the systray. WinKey Startup Group "C:\Program Files\WinKey\WinKey.exe" Not something I use, and if you don't, I'd dump it. Winkey is indispensable. I don't know how anyone could use a computer without it. (allows user to assign keystrokes involving the Windows key to load any program, folder, or website.) The Icon Corral Startup Group "C:\Program Files\IconCorral\IconCorral.exe" I'm supposing some desktop icon manager. Do you *really* need this? GDI (graphical) Resources are the most prone to creating problems, and I can't help but think that an icon manager won't have serious impact on GDI Resources if not performing perfectly. That enables me to place certain programs in the systray where they're out of the way. It's very convenient. For example, I just keep OE on the whole time since it takes so long to load, but to avoid having it in the taskbar, I put it in the systray. Winword Startup Group "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\WINWORD.EXE" You have Word set to open with startup? What version, by the way? Word 97. By starting Word in minimized state, I don't deal with that dumb splash screen. Flywheel Startup Group "C:\Program Files\Plannet Crafters\Flywheel\Flywheel.exe" No idea what this is. This gives mouse scrolling capability in all programs, which doesn't come naturally with Win 98. For example, it allows me to scroll in the VBA window. The following are started by commands in the Registry, specifically the following key: HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run AT&T DSL Service PCA Program Registry (Machine Run) C:\Program Files\AT&T\DSL\programs\dslpca.exe /ws I'm assuming you need this one to get online? If not, you should consider it a strong suspect, at least. I don't recognize it as necessary hardware support or just guck installed by AT&T that you really don't need. Again, this one sets off alarms. Hmm, I'd assume it's necessary in getting onilne, but I don't know. Zone Labs Client Registry (Machine Run) C:\PROGRA~1\ZONELA~1\ZONEAL~1\zlclient.exe Gotta have it, and should be no problem, but I'd include it in the list of possible suspects. TkBellExe Registry (Machine Run) "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot Get rid of this one, period! Pure garbage. I've unchecked this in Startup tab of msconfig. I'll study your test instructions and try this out. Thank you very much. Larry To test (best done overnight), run MSCONFIG from the Start\Run box and choose Selective Startup, then disable all items except WIN.INI and SYSTEM.INI. Then *physically* disconnect your machine from the internet. Restart and see what your resources look like. Then leave the machine alone overnight or all day--the longer the better--and see what happens. If there's no obvious drain, re-enable just ZoneAlarm (BUT--you have no antivirus?) and whatever is the minimum necessary to reconnect to the internet. Go through the day normally, keeping *accurate* track of what you're doing. Might also want to start Resource Meter and have it keep a log. Then add back in the normal stuff I said you should leave, then one-by-one add the questionable items. I notice that at least one standard item is missing--TASKMON--which logs usage in order to assist in optimization during DEFRAG. Is this on purpose? If so, no biggy. And, as noted, there is an obvious lack of any background Antivirus? What's up with that? Do you *currently* have anything disabled in MSCONFIG? Anything that's disabled there will not show up in the MSINFO32 list. That's enough for now, I hope. See how it goes. -- Gary S. Terhune MS MVP for Win9x |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
shrinking available resources
By the way, what _are_ system resources, as distinct from memory?
(Also, though I haven't begun Gary's experiment yet, I did leave the computer on overnight, and the free system resources went down a bit during the night.) Larry |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
System resources explained
|
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|