Out of Memory

Recently I have been unable to run programs because I get messages saying "Runtime error '7': Not enough memory ". My computer has been fine for years before, and I have not downloaded anything recently to eat up memory. But out of the blue last week I kept getting these messages. I have deleted many unneeded folders and files, but it still says I have 0 bytes left. Is there a way to fix this?

 

Are you connected to the internet through a DSL or cable modem? If so, your computer may have been hijacked by a "bot" which is using your computer to send spam or provide ftp downloads for warez. Watch the modem lights when you're not doing anything. Is there activitiy?

Jerry

 

Actually, yes. I have DSL, and when its not in use, the processing light on the computer keeps flashing, and the modem light is constantly going.

So I think this may be it! How would I get rid of these?

 

Hi lp:

I think if it were me, I'd reformat and reinstall my Win95. But, I do that all the time, and it doesn't faze me, and I have recent backups of all my data, and I have all the installation disks for all the other programs I use right at hand.

If that isn't practical for you, you might look in these forums for help salvaging your current system:
http://www.windowsbbs.com/forumdisplay.php?f=18
http://www.windowsbbs.com/forumdisplay.php?f=41

Good luck.

Jerry

 

Drummer,

I agree with Jerry. The data you created is really the imporant stuff you need to save. The programs can be reinstalled on a clean installation and they will probably run better on a clean install.

The next thing to get is a firewall. Go to http://www.cnet.com and get ZoneAlarm. GREAT FREE firewall program.

George

 

Once you get cleaned up there are at least a couple of things to watch CLOSELY.

Links in E-Mail The link itself may be OK. But what the link connects you to may not be.

And as I have found out TWICE in the past weeks DOWNLOADING software. Especially if it is FREE.

I got caught once. ( Ran the program online ) instead of saving it. But the 2nd time I downloaded ( a different file and site ) and ran AV and Spyware check on the file. Results = deletetion of file.

In other words. If you do not know DON'T.

iclarius
It is good to have a Firewall. But a Firewall is of no use in the listed cases. The USER has already opened the door. Maybe inadvertantly but he has opened it WIDE.

BillyBob

 

ZoneAlarm won't work on Win95 -- but Sygate Personal Firewall will:
http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/security/fwfirewall.html
(about half-way down the page)

Jerry

 

Ok, but right now, windows wont even start. I dont know what happened, it just says explorer.exe cannot start and just shows my background...

 

Let me clarify something.
because I get messages saying "Runtime error '7': Not enough memory ".
That message is about a running program 'leaking' memory, taking memory away from other programs. The memory being referred to is your RAM, not your hard drive.
Whatever this running program is, it cannot be good
Your have stated the system has been running for years, it is a good idea to format the drive and install it clean.
But if just want it going, go get Regcleaner (it will fit on a floppy), and install it in Safe Mode.
To get into Safe Mode, be pressing F5 when you see 'starting windows 95', and then choose Safe Mode.
After installing Regcleaner, run it. It first opens on the Programs tab, click on the Startup tab, and remove all items from the startup. This program make automatic backups, so these item can be easily restored.
Then try to boot up windows in normal mode.

 

I booted into safe mode and.......still no luck. It only shows the background and a message saying "msgsvr32" failed to start. I click OK, and all that show on my computer is the background. I cant even get into my computer or desktop, so right now I cant install anyhing to prevent future hijacking.

Is there anything to do where I can get my computer to show the desktop?

 

Reinstall windows.
Your 95 startup floppy [boot disk] will get the computer to boot to a dos prompt, but it won't get your CD drive to work.
You can use a 98 boot disk to enable the CD drive so you can install 95 off of the CD. After the first reboot when installing, the floppy will no longer be used.
Go to Bootdisk, and download the file for 98Se OEM. Put a floppy into the drive and then execute the downloaded file. It will then make a boot disk for you, do not copy the file to the floppy and expect it to work.
When using the floppy, choose with CD Rom support. Just before the A:\> appears, there will be a message giving you the drive letter for the CD. It will not be the usual letter, it may be E. Use this letter in place of the X below.
This command starts windows setup.
X:\win95\setup
While reinstalling windows may get you going, I think you are infected with a virus, or five. If the reinstall is successful, your installed programs and documents will be fine. But, do go here if you can, Housecall, online AV scan.
Wiping the drive clean is a better thing to do. If you agree, before you format, do you have your hardware drivers on a floppy or CD?

 

OK, I think I'll go with reformatting my whole harddrive. But how do I back up my data without getting into windows?

 

Is there another PC you can use?

I would pull that HDD and add it as a slave in another system (which hopefully has a CDRW...)

I would then use that system to run a full A/V scan of that drive then dig thru your hdd and backup the important stuff.

After you have a good backup I would return the drive to your box - Write zeros to it and do a full clean install.

 

OK I Have NO idea what any of that meant....

Can I just back up my harddrive on some floppies thru DOS on my "messed" up computer, reformat everything, reinstall windows, then put the files back on?

EDIT: I can't say s c r e w e d up computer?!

 

I do not know what size yor HD is. But it it is of any good size 10gig on up And you are going to format and start over and PARTITION the HD before you format. Then put the OS ONLY on the C: drive and EVERYTING else you install on D: or higher.

If you are going to use Win95 then the C: drive needs to be no larger than 7gig. I have XP Pro on an 8gig drive with 3gig free.

And when you install things there is USUALLY a place where you can change the default install path from c:\xxx to D:\xxx or whatever.

This is one GREAT data loss protection. And makes a GREAT place to backup up sutff.

For instance. I have Quicken on the D: drive. data is of course stored there but it is BACKED UP on H:

VERY SELDOM do we loose any thing other than the C: drive.

BillyBob

 

You can copy your files onto floppies, if they are 1.44 mb or less in size each, and you do not mind their names getting shortened to 8 charactors when copied by dos.
The easier thing to do is this.
You obviously have access to another computer. It is possible to take your harddrive out of your computer, and install into the one you are using, and then copy your files onto the working computer's drive. Your drive will be nothing but another drive on that computer when hooked up properly.
When you have your drive out, look where the power wires and ribbon connection went. You will see a jumper there, the position of that jumper determines how that drive works with other drives.
On top of the drive there should be a label, with a diagram showing the different positions of that jumper, Master, Slave, or CS (Cable Select). Remember the current position and then change it to Slave.
The connection ribbon on the working computer's harddrive should have a free connection, plug this into yours. Use any power wire that fits.
When the computer boots up, your drive may be the D: drive.

 

OK For Billy Bob- my computer HDD is 4.3 gig. And the rest I did not really comprehend.

And Mark- I would rather not take out my hard drive, but I would rather have a way to just put the only necessary files on floppies directly from the comput I am trying to back up.

Also I have ran into a problem- I cannot find a Windows 95 Install disk. Is there a place where I can download it so I can put it on my messed up computer?

 

Ok. It won't work anyway. Drive way to small to even think about what I suggested.

And with a drive that samll it could just plain be over loaded.

BB

 

Okay, so just reformatting it would be a good thing to do?

 

OK Lemme rephrase this whole thing-

I need to get windows 95 working again. I have no win95 CD disk. HOW do do this? I would like to get it done by tonite.