Aug-99 I buy a Gateway P3 450Mhz,Win98,96MB RAM(64&32 SIMMs),13.5GB HDD,DVD/CD-ROM,CD/RW. Earlier this year my HDD crashed. Gateway supplied a 20.5GB HDD which I had to install and reloaded Win98. I decided to upgrade to Windows ME. Duh, warranty voided. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif In addition, I added a PNY 256MB RAM leaving the 64MB in and removed the 32MB.

Things seem to be working fine. Then I decided to upgrade my CD/RW and installed an ACER 2010A 20x/10x/40x. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif That's when I noticed terrible performance with IE 6.0. (MacAfee Virus software) I used WWW.PCPITSTOP.COM (http://WWW.PCPITSTOP.COM) to check my PC performance. All is well except I get a red flag on my HDD.
I ran scandisk and defrags on several occasions. No sector issues.

I began to notice that my performance percentage drops quickly from 80% at boot to around low 60's with only MacAfee & IE running. I already have removed unwanted applications from startup using add/remove programs.

I purchased Dr.Salmas's Power Tools to help with theses issues. I noticed that there is a RAM leak. I'm constantly restoring RAM from 3% back to 53%. It won't go any higher. (related to ME RAM hog I think)

Here are my questions (thought I'd never get to them eh?)
1. Was the Dr.Salman software a waste of money? Is there freeware that's better?
2. What causes RAM leaks?
3. Do you recommend that I go back to the beginning by starting over? In other words set the PC to original specs & RAM (except for HDD). If my problems still exist I can call Gateway.
4. I hear there is a free Virus protection software called AVG. Where can I download it?

Thanks in advance for your support. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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Captain, steady as she goes...

Hey,

I would take pcpitstop's findings with a grain of salt. I also received comments about my harddrive, but I know that it isn't true.

As for the memory leaks, it's common. Try a search on "memory optimizers" or something like that. There should be some free ones out there. With ME, the biggest memory hog is the System Restore feature running in the background. Not sure how you turn it off, but you may want to consider it.

You can download AVG 6.0 antivirus software here: www.grisoft.com (http://www.grisoft.com) They will email you your product activation key.

When you say you used the Add/Remove Programs to stop unwanted programs from loading, was that in Control Panel? If so, that won't work, I think.

Once the computer is up and running, press Ctrl,Alt,Del once. The Close Program dialog box should open. There you will see all the programs that are currently running on your computer. You can choose to highlight each one except Explorer and Systray, and choose End Task. See if that helps the resources problem.

Not too familiar with WIN ME, but you can try this: Go to Start/Run and type "msconfig", without the quotes. Click on the Startup tab on the far right of the dialog box that opens up. There you will see all the programs that are loading at startup. Uncheck the little box beside each line item except, Explorer, Systray and Task Monitor. If you have a power profile set up in ME, then make sure LoadPowerProfile is checked.

Post back with your progress or further questions.

Big Blue 66


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Life = Karma, or is it, Karma = Life?

System Restore::If you want to shut it off.


1. Right click on my computer
2.Select properties
3.click Performance tab
4.Click file system button
5.Click on troubleshooting tab
6.Check the Diable System Restore box

That should get you what you need

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Treading,Troden,Trails
HERE (http://www.davematthewsband.com)

Thanks guys, I will try your suggestions then let you know the results. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

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Captain, steady as she goes...

I'm Sorry #7.make sure you click Apply before you exit sorry forgot that one. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

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Treading,Troden,Trails
HERE (http://www.davematthewsband.com)

Hey,

For free RAM optimizers, go to the following. Look at the freeware ones.
http://www.voodoofiles.com/type.asp?cat_id=34

Have fun.

Big Blue 66


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Life = Karma, or is it, Karma = Life?