Win98 RAM Usage

[mikemcginty]

I upgraded my RAM from 98M to 256M and was astounded to see that just with Windows running a whopping 140M was used.

How could I have previously run with 98M?

Also, when I run VB6 after a while the os reports out of memory. If I shut down all applications, the RAM is not freed. Is this due to the VB project crashes in debug mode? After a while I need to reboot my PC. When I make an .exe of my project there are no RAM problems

This problem doesn't seem to relate just to my VB project.

Thanks in anticipation
Mike

 

[Mulga]

Windows will use RAM as it is available, if not enough physical RAM is available it uses virtual memory (swap file). I would check your virtual memory settings in system properties (performance tab in Control Panel > System) Make sure it is set to let Windows manage the virtual memory. VB projects can do strange things to memory usage, if the problem persists I suggest you post the query to the VB forum forum222 All things are possible except skiing through a revolving door.

 

[cdogg]

The main problem is probably the OS. Are you using Win95/98/ME? If so, all 3 have difficulty preserving resources for long periods of time. As a matter of fact, few people can leave their Win9x system on for more than a week without running any apps, then try to use it without it crashing.

As far as your RAM usage seeming too high, keep in mind that Windows won't use a lot if you don't have a lot. When you only had 96MB, RAM usage was probably close to 55-65 MB. Now that you have 256MB, it is able to spread itself out more. You essentially gave it more breathing room!

Unfortunately, closing an application seldomy frees up the RAM it used (memory leaks). The only efficient way to get it all back is to reboot. Some 3rd party apps out there offer workarounds to the problem, but will themselves consume more resources...
ck_blk@yahoo.com

 

[dumdum]

Run MSCONFIG and remove any apps that are starting when you boot. You probably have several programs starting at startup that you don't need. These may be eating your mem resource. We are always looking for new members at our computer forums:

http://forums.jlrforum.net

Please come join our community too.

 

[Grapegravy]

I have found MemTurbo 2.1 to be extremely helpful with this problem, been using it for about 2 months now and not a problem since. I would definitely suggest trying it out. Good Luck

 

[mikemcginty]

Thanks fellas

I have tried MaxMem but it still gets to the point where I have to reboot. It has definitely gotten worst as my VB application grows.

Mike

 

[cdogg]

Upgrade to Win2K or WinXP if it's an option. You need to be on the NT Kernel if you want to minimize loss of resources.

Here are a few more things you can try:

- Scan and delete *.tmp files
- Clear out C:\Windows\Temp
- Empty browser cache
- Move the paging file (Swap File) over to another partition or hard drive
- Optimize the paging file by setting the min = max (only do this if it's on a partition other than the C
- Defragment C:
- use msconfig to minimize startup apps/processes
- upgrade OS to NT

Personally, I wouldn't rely on 3rd party apps to get resources back. While some are great, they just can't do enough in situations like yours.

ck_blk@yahoo.com

 

[mikemcginty]

Unfortunately I am using an AMD 300 so upgrading the OS is not an option

I found the running MaxMem agressive frees up around 100M, however when I run the app in VB debug mode again it still says out of memory. After running out of memory the first time, this fault doesn't appear to be related to the actual amount of free memory thereafter.

Interesting?

 

[cdogg]

"Out of Memory" errors can be misleading. Memory in this case is a very loose term and can mean several things. "Resources" and "Available Free Memory" are not equivalent. It sounds like you are running low on resources.

Here's how you can check:

1) Right-click My Computer and choose properties
2) Go to the Performance tab
3) "System Resources" will tell you how the % free

What's the % right after a reboot? It should be above 80% easily (90% or above is considered 'great'). If this number is low or drops below 50%, then it can cause all kinds of errors especially "out of memory". Programs like MaxMem cannot bring them back. A reboot at that point is the only option.



There are system tweaks. Check out the FAQ section in this forum and the link below for more info:

http://www.adobe.com/support/techguides/operatingsystem/windows/winstep01.html

ck_blk@yahoo.com

 

[mikemcginty]

Thanks

That is the problem. I found that System Resources are as low as 3%

Hard to understand why VB6 itself consumes so much resource. I thought Microsoft would have been careful with overuse of resources.

Mike