memory problem

[beginner]

First of all, thanks to everyone that gave me advice when I was looking to either purchase a barebones system or build one of my own.

I went for the AMD 600MHz with MSI MS-6167 and love it.

I am having a small problem, if it is a problem. I have a 25.4GB HD and have used only 1.18GB. I have Win98, Win98 2nd, Office 2000, photoshop, etc.

when I'm using the computer I get memory low messages and when I check, it says that I have between 6% and 32% free space, oh, I have 128MB RAM.

What's going on, is there a way I can find out why the memory is being drained so much.
Or should I just purchase more RAM. And if so where can I find the best at the cheapest price. Oh, I'm supposed to use the PC100 ECC unbuffered 8ns or faster. CAS?Latence of either 2or 3 with at least 6 ply. From what I understand 6ns would be best, but I can't seem to find it.

Thanks,

beginner

[daveleau]

6ns is 150 MHz Ram. I don't think you'll find any higher than 7.5 ns which pc133 sdram. As for your [roblem, the only thing I can think of is to ask how many items you have at startup. Go to 'Find' in the start menu and search for msconfig. on the last tab at the right top, you will have startup files or something equivelent. See how many things are starting up. I doubt that is your problem though since there would have to be loads and loads of things to take you down that much. Buying more ram won't help since Win98 doesn't handle anyhting over 128MB with efficiency.
Dave

[OuTpaTienT]

Hey Dave,
Win98 doesn't handle anyhting over 128MB with efficiency
Why not? I haven't heard this before...any links?

I have 192MB with no problems that I know of. My '98 machine at work has 256MB with no problems...and it often stays around 50-75MB free which means it's using around 200MB. I would like to know about this if indeed it is true.

[daveleau]

Well actually I am running 3 128MB Dimms with Win98 b/c they are here. I mispoke I guess. It handles it efficiently, but there is a large speed boost between 64 and 128. After that the increase is much smaller. NT systems do not suffer from this. Sorry for misspeaking.
Dave

[This message has been edited by daveleau (edited 04-16-2000).]

[grandslammer]

Funny, the sweet spot used to be like right around 64 mb ram. Now it seems to be around 128. Where is this headed, who knows? But you do get diminishing returns after 128. I really don't think you'd get much improvement unless you use several programs at once, all the time. And then maybe if they were real memory hogs like image manipulation, etc.

BUT, who of us wouldn't get 256 or 384, just to have it?

M

[grandslammer]

Also, beginner? In your bios, there is a switch, forget where exactly, but it asks you how to handle ram >64 mb. You need to make sure it sayd non-os2. The different OS's handdle ram over 64mb in different ways.

Also, do you run cacheman? Might want to try that. Most of the people I know run that, including myself.

Here's a link to it on my site.
http://www.familyshoebox.com/family/991/FSLO-951869458-116991.zip

I'd suggest when using cacheman to begin by using the option for whatever your OS is, and standard system. Then go from there if you like.

Also. have you specified your swap file (virtual memory) size?

For 128 mb ram, especially if you get into gming, I'd suggest say 200 mb swap file, for both minimum and maximum.

Between those three things, you SHOULD be good to go.

Good luck man...

Oh yeah, "you've got mail!"

M


[This message has been edited by grandslammer (edited 04-17-2000).]

[alpha]

Make sure virtual mem is turned on.

[hd581]

I have 248 MB of RAM....in 6 machines...

[beginner]

Thanks, I'll give cacheman a try and will also check of the virtual memory idea.

beginner