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#1
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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." |
#2
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Processor Usage
"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." |
#3
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Processor Usage
"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." |
#4
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Processor Usage
"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." |
#5
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Processor Usage
"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." |
#6
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Processor Usage
"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 |
#7
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Processor Usage
"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 |
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