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Windows 98 caching 100% added RAM leaving 0% for user programs...
My sister recently purchased a used Compaq Presario laptop from her daughter
who originally purchased it as new in July 2000, and I have been giving it a major tune-up. The laptop came with 64mb of RAM (non removable) plus 32mb (removable) for a total of 96mb. A fresh return of the laptop to its “factory� state, all updates from the Windows Update website, and right after the completion of the boot-up process, the properties of My Computer shows the following information concerning available free system resources: Total Memory: 92mb (plus 4mb onboard video). System Resources: 83% free. There are no programs running in the background except for the operating system, Synaptics TouchPad, and Easy Access Button Support. I purchased a 128mb replacement RAM module, switched out the 32mb that came with the computer, and performed a fresh boot with the total 192mb (max allowed with this motherboard). My Computer properties shows: Total Memory: 188mb (plus 4mb video). System Resources: 83% free. Free system resources shows the same figure (83%) as when there was only the 32mb RAM module installed. I removed the 128mb RAM module leaving just the 64mb (non removable). A fresh boot with just the 64mb non-removable RAM shows the information in the properties of My Computer to be: Total Memory 60mb (plus 4mb video). System Resources: 83% free. Free system resources from a fresh boot are exactly the same (83%) if I have 64mb, 96mb, or 192mb of RAM installed. The BIOS detects, tests, and passes the correct amount of memory in all 3 cases, Windows 98 detects the correct amount of memory in all 3 cases, and diagnostic program SiSoft Sandra detects the correct amount and type of memory in all 3 cases. Additionally, there are no problems in the Device Manager. No changes were made to the system except for adding memory modules, leaving this the only variable involved. I have never encountered this type of issue before. Windows is only allowing the user the 64mb of non-removable RAM and none of the removable RAM, including the 32mb module that came with the computer. I tried reducing the video memory allocation from 4mb to 2mb, but this did not change anything and free system resources remained at 83%. I could only open 4 programs with 64mb, 96mb, and 192mb of RAM before I received the “low on system resources� message telling me to close some programs. An email from the HP support technician was basically no help to me. In broken English, they mentioned that processor speed and virtual memory were additional variables concerning free system resources. I do not believe that processor speed is a variable. What does that have to do with available free physical memory? As far as virtual memory is concerned, isn’t this the swap file and a function of available hard disk space and not with physical memory? Even if processor speed and virtual memory were variables, none of the hard disk space or the processor speed change by adding more physical memory, leaving these variables out of the picture in my opinion. They advised using “msconfig� to stop unneeded programs and to try step-by-step confirmation. I had already used “msconfig�. There are no programs installed to stop except for the Synaptics TouchPad and Easy Access Button Support which is needed. Windows 98 and all updates are all that is installed. Again, these are not variables either because they were not changed. The only change made to the system is the added memory modules. All other factors remaining the same, shouldn’t free physical memory for the user be increased?? I did try using the step-by-step-confirmation at startup and totally crashed the system in the process. Compaq has a system restore feature powered by PowerQuest on another partition of the hard drive and is addressed on startup. I’m glad I had made an image file of the configuration and had to restore the system. It seems obvious to me that Windows 98 is caching 100% of the added memory for itself leaving none available for user programs. What do I need to do in order for Windows 98 to allow the user a percentage of the added memory which the BIOS detects, tests, passes, and Windows 98 recognizes??? Advice on this issue would be greatly appreciated because I have never come across this type of issue before. Free system resources have always increased for me by adding more memory… |
#2
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Adding more memory (RAM) does not increase system resources....in fact, it has no
bearing on resources at all. You are mistaking memory for resources. You can have as much memory as a motherboard will allow, and still get a low resources error, because resources is a fixed number and has nothing to do with your installed memory. Please read here for further explanation: http://www.aumha.org/a/resource.htm http://www.onlinehelp.bc.ca/tips.htm#resources You say you get a low resources error when you open four programs.....*what* four programs, exactly? -- Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+ http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.microsoft.com/communities...t/default.mspx "Rick S." wrote in message ... My sister recently purchased a used Compaq Presario laptop from her daughter who originally purchased it as new in July 2000, and I have been giving it a major tune-up. The laptop came with 64mb of RAM (non removable) plus 32mb (removable) for a total of 96mb. A fresh return of the laptop to its “factory� state, all updates from the Windows Update website, and right after the completion of the boot-up process, the properties of My Computer shows the following information concerning available free system resources: Total Memory: 92mb (plus 4mb onboard video). System Resources: 83% free. There are no programs running in the background except for the operating system, Synaptics TouchPad, and Easy Access Button Support. I purchased a 128mb replacement RAM module, switched out the 32mb that came with the computer, and performed a fresh boot with the total 192mb (max allowed with this motherboard). My Computer properties shows: Total Memory: 188mb (plus 4mb video). System Resources: 83% free. Free system resources shows the same figure (83%) as when there was only the 32mb RAM module installed. I removed the 128mb RAM module leaving just the 64mb (non removable). A fresh boot with just the 64mb non-removable RAM shows the information in the properties of My Computer to be: Total Memory 60mb (plus 4mb video). System Resources: 83% free. Free system resources from a fresh boot are exactly the same (83%) if I have 64mb, 96mb, or 192mb of RAM installed. The BIOS detects, tests, and passes the correct amount of memory in all 3 cases, Windows 98 detects the correct amount of memory in all 3 cases, and diagnostic program SiSoft Sandra detects the correct amount and type of memory in all 3 cases. Additionally, there are no problems in the Device Manager. No changes were made to the system except for adding memory modules, leaving this the only variable involved. I have never encountered this type of issue before. Windows is only allowing the user the 64mb of non-removable RAM and none of the removable RAM, including the 32mb module that came with the computer. I tried reducing the video memory allocation from 4mb to 2mb, but this did not change anything and free system resources remained at 83%. I could only open 4 programs with 64mb, 96mb, and 192mb of RAM before I received the “low on system resources� message telling me to close some programs. An email from the HP support technician was basically no help to me. In broken English, they mentioned that processor speed and virtual memory were additional variables concerning free system resources. I do not believe that processor speed is a variable. What does that have to do with available free physical memory? As far as virtual memory is concerned, isn’t this the swap file and a function of available hard disk space and not with physical memory? Even if processor speed and virtual memory were variables, none of the hard disk space or the processor speed change by adding more physical memory, leaving these variables out of the picture in my opinion. They advised using “msconfig� to stop unneeded programs and to try step-by-step confirmation. I had already used “msconfig�. There are no programs installed to stop except for the Synaptics TouchPad and Easy Access Button Support which is needed. Windows 98 and all updates are all that is installed. Again, these are not variables either because they were not changed. The only change made to the system is the added memory modules. All other factors remaining the same, shouldn’t free physical memory for the user be increased?? I did try using the step-by-step-confirmation at startup and totally crashed the system in the process. Compaq has a system restore feature powered by PowerQuest on another partition of the hard drive and is addressed on startup. I’m glad I had made an image file of the configuration and had to restore the system. It seems obvious to me that Windows 98 is caching 100% of the added memory for itself leaving none available for user programs. What do I need to do in order for Windows 98 to allow the user a percentage of the added memory which the BIOS detects, tests, passes, and Windows 98 recognizes??? Advice on this issue would be greatly appreciated because I have never come across this type of issue before. Free system resources have always increased for me by adding more memory… |
#3
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Follow Glee's advice and URLs.
Don't you have an antivirus running? You didn't mention it in your post. They can really use up some resources. More than likely one of the programs you are using is not releasing or using too much of your total resources. There are free programs (or at least free trial programs) that will tell you how your resources are being used. Also check to make sure FindFast is not loading, among other things and do a spyware/adware check. "Rick S." wrote in message ... My sister recently purchased a used Compaq Presario laptop from her daughter who originally purchased it as new in July 2000, and I have been giving it a major tune-up. The laptop came with 64mb of RAM (non removable) plus 32mb (removable) for a total of 96mb. A fresh return of the laptop to its "factory" state, all updates from the Windows Update website, and right after the completion of the boot-up process, the properties of My Computer shows the following information concerning available free system resources: Total Memory: 92mb (plus 4mb onboard video). System Resources: 83% free. There are no programs running in the background except for the operating system, Synaptics TouchPad, and Easy Access Button Support. I purchased a 128mb replacement RAM module, switched out the 32mb that came with the computer, and performed a fresh boot with the total 192mb (max allowed with this motherboard). My Computer properties shows: Total Memory: 188mb (plus 4mb video). System Resources: 83% free. Free system resources shows the same figure (83%) as when there was only the 32mb RAM module installed. I removed the 128mb RAM module leaving just the 64mb (non removable). A fresh boot with just the 64mb non-removable RAM shows the information in the properties of My Computer to be: Total Memory 60mb (plus 4mb video). System Resources: 83% free. Free system resources from a fresh boot are exactly the same (83%) if I have 64mb, 96mb, or 192mb of RAM installed. The BIOS detects, tests, and passes the correct amount of memory in all 3 cases, Windows 98 detects the correct amount of memory in all 3 cases, and diagnostic program SiSoft Sandra detects the correct amount and type of memory in all 3 cases. Additionally, there are no problems in the Device Manager. No changes were made to the system except for adding memory modules, leaving this the only variable involved. I have never encountered this type of issue before. Windows is only allowing the user the 64mb of non-removable RAM and none of the removable RAM, including the 32mb module that came with the computer. I tried reducing the video memory allocation from 4mb to 2mb, but this did not change anything and free system resources remained at 83%. I could only open 4 programs with 64mb, 96mb, and 192mb of RAM before I received the "low on system resources" message telling me to close some programs. An email from the HP support technician was basically no help to me. In broken English, they mentioned that processor speed and virtual memory were additional variables concerning free system resources. I do not believe that processor speed is a variable. What does that have to do with available free physical memory? As far as virtual memory is concerned, isn't this the swap file and a function of available hard disk space and not with physical memory? Even if processor speed and virtual memory were variables, none of the hard disk space or the processor speed change by adding more physical memory, leaving these variables out of the picture in my opinion. They advised using "msconfig" to stop unneeded programs and to try step-by-step confirmation. I had already used "msconfig". There are no programs installed to stop except for the Synaptics TouchPad and Easy Access Button Support which is needed. Windows 98 and all updates are all that is installed. Again, these are not variables either because they were not changed. The only change made to the system is the added memory modules. All other factors remaining the same, shouldn't free physical memory for the user be increased?? I did try using the step-by-step-confirmation at startup and totally crashed the system in the process. Compaq has a system restore feature powered by PowerQuest on another partition of the hard drive and is addressed on startup. I'm glad I had made an image file of the configuration and had to restore the system. It seems obvious to me that Windows 98 is caching 100% of the added memory for itself leaving none available for user programs. What do I need to do in order for Windows 98 to allow the user a percentage of the added memory which the BIOS detects, tests, passes, and Windows 98 recognizes??? Advice on this issue would be greatly appreciated because I have never come across this type of issue before. Free system resources have always increased for me by adding more memory. |
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