can't figure it out

[Sweeper]

Seem to be having a problem with friends pc.
This thing eats ram like crazy!
With only a video card,Bigfoot HD,2 partitions, win 98 sec. edtition, cd-rom..this thing will take 96 megs of ram and leave about 13 left???????? sitting there at idel? What gives. Just did a clean format a only loaded video card, win98,cd-rom...
ABit BE-6 Motherboard.
I have tried tons of suggestions about adjusting the virtual memory, etc etc. still no change. Gone into msconfig. unchecked everything but the basics and still ram being sucked up.
I am at a dead end.

[tlwhite76]

Does it make any difference if you change I think the file system from a desktop to a network server?

[Sweeper]

no change

[Nixona]

Sweeper,
Thats windows, it seems. I'd get RamBooster and set it to run wihen it falls below a certain level. Windows claims memory, but when it's done with it, it doesnt free it up, it just eats away at more of it. Just standing there, not doing a whole lot, my server with 96 will fall to gutwrenching levels. We're talking 18 kb once. I'm the one with the problem http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif Even after optimization if looks to only hold around 55-60 mb of free memory. I like rambooster, it's a great programs, completely customizable, I got it at download.com I think, it's called RamBooster v1.6

[Richard_Cranium72]

While in testing phase, ctl+alt+del and shut down one prog at a time till you see which one was eating. Either reinstall the offender or change mfg. I do photos and MS Picture it seems to eat and hold photos in mem till shut down. Corel Photo 8 does a little better. Put a icon on the taskbar to both system information and system monitor to check your progress.. hope this gives a litte help DrVette

[izzzy12k]

My question is, what program is telling you that you only have 13MB left?

izzzy12k

[Sweeper]

Both Sandra and 3DMark 2000.

[GMAGDNA]

I have the same problem on my system. I have attempted to isolate the offending program many times but with no success. I run MemTurbo and still get only marginal gains. Resources regularly run around 38-48%. Of course with 320meg of RAM that's not too critical but it is absurd in itself. Also I have nearly eliminated the swap file allowance which I have yet to tinker with and see if *that* is the cause. Could be.