Plummetting System Resources

[cheepnokoff]

Hello,

I run Win98SE, 550 CPU, PC100, 256 Ram, Biostar M6TBA Mobo, Matrox G400 Card.

My system resources decrease significantly while surfing the net. I start out with 86-92% free. After a couple of hours I'm down to about 50%. Eventually I get a white window saying "Windows Resources Dangerously Low. Do You Want To Terminate Explorer?" Either way I get the BSOD and have to reboot.

I also sometimes get the message "TLSDYN Error: init Thread failed" or "Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Error. Program: IE Abnormal Program Termination"

When I get these, the browser shuts down, the HD does a grind and the resources are back up to about 75%. Have researched the TLSDYN message and find no references.

What gives? :confused:

[rextex]

What can I say?Those are program errors.Reinstall Win98 and IE ,upgrade 6 version.Or use these programs: Process Explorer,Regmon, Filemon at http://www.sysinternals.com/ to see what the app is running when you're on the net.Then eliminate it.

[dave-harper]

this search shows TLSDYN has to do with major windows stuff
http://www.google.ca/search?q=TLSDYN&hl=en&filter=0
so it might clear up if you redo windows because you shouldn't really have this problem - 256 ram should be fine
look in the system tray to the left of the clock and do a ctrl - alt - del and see what programs are running there
you might just be able to get away with getting the lastest ie here
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/ie6/download.asp
or something to clear ram is here ( rambooster )
http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-10102-100-1400043.html?st.dl.10102-101-1400043.bc.10102-100-1400043

[userserver]

This has more to do with your surfing habits than anything else. It is perfectly normal with win9x. When you get the low system resources, look at your system monitor to find out which heap is taking the hit.

If you have low GDI, you have opened too many graphics objects--buttons, icons, fonts, etc. If you have low user resources, try opening fewer windows at a time. Each window takes 2-3% resources, and you don't get those resources back until you close internet explorer completely.

Low resources will generate the other errors.

[rextex]

Yes but 50% is not usual at all.I've used Win98SE on a 486 with 16MB ram and still keep over 65% no matter what.I think there is another problem.The few things I did find (including the link dave-harper posted) seem to relate to some call from Visual Basic or the Win API's.I don't understand programming much, but I get that something is going on here that has to do with more than just the usual Windows stuff.
I'm thinking its a corrupt install or program, maybe I.E., or a Webbug or even a RAM problem.

[userserver]

Originally posted by rextex
Yes but 50% is not usual at all.I've used Win98SE on a 486 with 16MB ram and still keep over 65% no matter what.I

Sure you did. You didn't have enough memory to allow you to be doing enough stuff to tie up enough resources to cause a propblem.

Less than 50% is not unusual if you open up a lot of windows, go visit some sites where you can view buttons, animations, etc. for web pages, play some mp3's and search google a few times, expecially if you copy/move contents of a large folder at the same time. I've seen 15-20% on occasion (less on others, expecially when manipulating data on a drive)

The more memory a user has, the easier it is for him to deplete resources, because the extra memory allows you to do more tasks "simultaneously"

[rextex]

Well I'm not here to argue the point.
I just assume he is talking about average web browsing.If so
I have much experience with Win95 and Win98 on all types of machines from 486 stated to present with 256MB RAM and can tell you that something is wrong.It is NOT normal.And it has never happened on any of my systems or any one I've ever run across.

Now if you're opening Dozens of Windows and running apps and Mp3's and Netservers and whatever then userserver's point may apply to you.

Reinstall Windows.That is the answer.Check your hard drive with Scandisk before you do so.
You said it "grinds" well, that could be it.Could be the drive is so fragged or having errors (I hoping not serious errors) that is why.The data is getting lost comming back from the drive.Or its too full.Or you limited the swapfile too low.

[cheepnokoff]

Thanks for the responses folks.

Did some poking around. The problem may lie with a MS program called WebCheck Monitor which secretly loads at startup. The file is "loadwc.exe" and calls on "webcheck.dll". Apparently this running process takes up a lot of memory. More on this later. Doing some tests.

[dave-harper]

check this search for the different utilities with that name

http://www.google.ca/search?q=WebCheck+Monitor&hl=en&meta=

[cheepnokoff]

OK, here's a summary I found at annoyances.org which seems to sum up the problem. That Win98 just sucks in many ways!


Windows says it's "Dangerously Low on System Resources"

Intended For
Windows Me
Windows 98
Windows 95

The way Windows 9x/Me handles a small area of memory called System Resources is one of the biggest shortcomings of the Windows 9x/Me architecture. Understanding the concept of System Resources is key to reducing system crashes and helping to maintain your sanity in an average workday.
Every time you open an application, it loads all of its visual components, such as windows, menus, text boxes, buttons, checkboxes, and lists, into memory. Windows keeps track of the visual components of all the applications so that, for example, when you drag a window across the screen, it knows what was behind the window and is able to redraw it. These visual components are stored in System Resources. Regardless of the amount of physical memory installed in your computer and regardless of the number of open windows, the amount of memory allotted to System Resources never increases.

What’s more, not all of the System Resources an application uses are released when the application is closed. So, you could open and close an application several times and actually run out of System Resources. That’s why Windows may complain that you’re out of memory, even when you have only two or three applications open.

The symptoms of low System Resources include slow performance, error messages when starting programs, application windows not updating properly, applications hanging, and the entire system crashing. The fix, at least as far as we lowly users are concerned, is to restart Windows. When Windows is restarted, the System Resources are cleared, and everything returns to normal.

This aspect of Windows, as well as many other troubleshooting tips, are discussed in detail in the book, Windows Me Annoyances.

The long-term solution is to upgrade to a version of Windows that doesn't have this problem. Both Windows 2000 and Windows XP are based on the Windows NT architecture, which has a much more sophisticated method of dealing with system resources. Both of these products will fix any "Out of memory" or "System Resources" problems you might be experiencing with Windows 95, 98, or Me.




Written by: Annoyances.org
Last updated: Monday, December 10, 2001

[userserver]

Originally posted by cheepnokoff
...What’s more, not all of the System Resources an application uses are released when the application is closed. So, you could open and close an application several times and actually run out of System Resources. That’s why Windows may complain that you’re out of memory, even when you have only two or three applications open.

This is what I was referring to regarding surfing practices. IE is bad about not returning resources until ALL windows are closed.

[rextex]

This is getting to be sort of a pointless thread.If you think upgrading will help go get XP or 2000.
Or run Linux.

There is stuff you can do to slim down the resource drain.Read around in annoyances.org.Read the pages with Windows tips here.In the General Discussion there is a thread with some tips.
Then also you start with cleaning up your system.Doing a fresh Install with minimum extras loaded.Slim down your software so realplayer and all kinds of apps aren't running.
Monitor your Internet and eliminate programs that run background servers,etc.Cut ICQ, (which is one of the worst hogs!)AOL,MSN.Remove any wallpaper, screen savers, themes on your drive.Remove extra 600 fonts some peolpe have.Don't install Outlook.RemoveDrivespace,drivespace bin.Remove JUNO.Turn off window animations.Use Opera Browser.Slim down the startmenu.etc.

These are some of the things you can do.There are many,many more.

But the thing is, either you're running too many apps, or there is a problem with your system, as I tried to tell you.It is not just Windows.

[rextex]

Just found out I'm wrong...:(
Seems as though the concensus is that most people have 10 to 50% system resources free..(The Gluttons!!!)

I guess 2 years of running Win95 with 8 megs RAM made me a real miser.I cut anything out that was resource hogging (as I would detect it immediately slowing me down) and got used to it.

Now I find out that the rest of you out there were pounding away regardless.Hmmm..

Well I'm real lazy nowadays and don't slim down things as much.I must just be conservative in my usage.I still never drop below about 70% and do all the things I want to.
So, whatever, I am wrong, lucky, both..

But I'm happy.I have my primary awesome CeleronII at 850MHZ!It never complains and does everything I need with plenty to spare.
I have 256 Megs RAM and run a fine corporate copy of Win98SE.I have no complaints.I know what I like and it runs well.I can fix it no matter what.

Soon I'll have to try XP and have 2000 here waiting for six months but haven't felt like learning it.
The only reason I have to learn it is to support it and make some money.
But I have my saving grace: A Trios Drive switch.I can run Win9x, 2000, XP, Linux , anything O.S. I want and still not screw up my Win98SE!!!!
(And I don't have to mess with Raid or Drive controller hassles.)
Next year I'll buy SCSI.Then I'll be in the Sh*t!!
:)