System resources low

I have Windows 98. I have a Compaq 1 gig system. It had only 128 megs of ram. Lately I kept getting the stupid "resources dangerously low message, and I'd check the "my computer" section under properties, then performance, and it would show at 10 percent or less, so I'd always have to reboot to bring it back up, but it only goes to 68-70 percent on reboot. Then my dad added ram on the system for me (516 meg), and I thought that would take care of the resource problem. Well, it doesn't. I have TONS of room on my system. I've defragmented. I clean history and cookies, etc. Anybody have any idea what needs to be done, other than upgrading to newer windows, which I can't do right now?? Thanks for any suggestions.
Jerri

 

Have you check for a virus? Housecall, which is a free online program. I use it for a second opinion.

OK, This needs to be done anyway as it will help your computer.
Lets see if we can free up some resources.
Do Start > Run > [type in]MSCONFIG >Ok
Select the Start up tab
This will list all of the programs being started at boot time. The icons in the bottom right of the screen.
Leave
ScanRegistry
SysTray
Your Antivirus
Your firewall if you run one.
Unselect all of the rest, reboot
As well, if you are unsure of what they are, post back the items in the list, maybe someone will know.

Step by Step with Snapshots on how to do this

What some of those words mean
Some more of what those words mean
And some more

Some other good links on resources.



PC 911

Windows Help

PC Forrest

 

Hi Jerri
Ram and resources are two seperate things. What you're going to need to do is stop unneccessary apps from loading at start up, to free up some resources.
Go into msconfig, (start...run...type in: msconfig click ok...and check under the start up tab) And uncheck the programs you don't need running at start up.
Here are two links to tell you what those items are:

Msconfig Entries
and
More of the same.


Daizy

*edit*
Hiya Train! It would seem your typing skills are faster than mine this morning.

 

The advantage of copy/paste

 

Thanks so much for the tip. I've deleted your recommendations. I don't believe I've ever seen my properties listed at 84% before, but I do now. We'll see if it takes longer for the resources to diminish. I appreciate the help

Jerri.

 

I struggled with this same problem for a couple of months.. did the msconfig thing, deleted most everything.. only to have the same "low system resouces" over and over. I finally reformatted, reloaded everything and the problem completely disappeared.
Just my story

 

Hi jukn55
Welcome to the boards! Just to clarify things a little. When you uncheck things under msconfig, you're not actually deleting them, but instead, are stopping them from unneccessarily loading at start up.
Sorry you had to go through the hassle of reformatting. Now that you've found us....maybe you won't have to again.

Daizy

 

Hi Daizy,
Understood.... but I should have clarified this. I deleted lots of useless programs, along with stopping others from loading at start-up. Nothing helped. Low system resources just kept popping up, especially after viewing a few various web pages, or even a few eBay auctions. I tried tons of things, to try to find the source of the problem, including running Ad-Aware, eliminating all cookies, running registry checker through Norton, along with other checks, which I can't recall at present. Nothing seemed to help and I could watch the resource meter getting smaller and smaller.... computer was also running slower and slower. I also checked lots of threads, dealing with this problem, but to no avail. I finally decided to just clear it all out and start over.... worked like a charm. My final thoughts on this were/are that something in W98 was corrupted and not releasing the resources, once a program(s) was closed.... what are there.... 65KB's, or so? Anyway, I may never know the true reason, but clearing it all out finally did the trick for me.
I've actually been a member of this board for quite awhile, but have never posted anything, as I feel there are way more knowledgeable people here than I
Many thanks for your reply,
Jukn55

 

Hi again jukn55
Yes, there's nothing like a fresh clean system to make your computer hum along nicely is there?
I only chose to comment for two reasons. The first being the misnomer that unchecking in msconfig led to "deleting" the apps.
The second, to assure most posters that doing a reformat and fdisk is a final response when all else has failed. Not a first.
When you said you "deleted" all sorts of programs.......I assume you meant, "uninstalled ", properly, through add/remove?
As for your lack of posting........ don't underestimate yourself. We all are learning. And it's always great to get to know people.

Daizy

 

Jerri & Jukn55

I had this problem on my Compaq Presario 5447. Their tech support could find nothing wrong. A trip to the local service shop turnned up nothing but since the problem happened mostly while surfing the net they said they would replace the modem. When the system came back the modem still had dust dust on it. At this point I decide that my next system will NOT be a Compaq!

In the end a reformat of the drive and an install of plain Win98se, not the Compaq version supplied, and the problem was gone. I suspect one of the Copmpaq programs had a memory leak that eventually used up all the resources.

mordin

 

Oh can someone Heip...Same thing happening to me.. I have Windows ME and have never, ever had any problems with it...
I am now experiencing the Low Resources thing..
I have done everything mentioned here..Msconfig..maintenance..new memory...etc..etc..
What I haven't done is the reformating some of you mentioned..
Reason being...I am only semi Computer literate
Would it be possible for someone to give me step by step instructions how to do this reformating thing...or should I stay away from that...LOL
Thanks

 

Hi cdeekin
Welcome to the boards. Can you tell us a little more about your computer? What size, ram, etc?
After a fresh boot, do a ctrl/alt/del and list for us everything you have in the close programs dialogue box, please?
I do believe reformatting is drastic. Let's see if we can fix you up without having to take that route.

Daizy

 

Thank you so much...Remember..semi computer literate here..LOL
Ok..
Compaq AMD Athlon
256 Ram
40GB Hard Drive
Windows ME

answer to your other question:
Explorer
Ccapp...My Virus Protection..Norton Suite
Pct Voice
Hidserv
Systray

Icons at lower right...
only the speaker..
MSN messenger on all the time..Use it with my business partners
The TV screens...
Guess that's it..

 

To use your Quick Restore cd. Put it into the cdrom, reach in behind and turn the computer off. Wait 30 seconds and then turn it on. It will boot to the cd and start the reinstall. BUT BE WARNED It will format your hdd and wipe everything off of it first. AND I MEAN EVERYTHING! then follow the on screen prompts and it will reinstall the factory image.