RoboForm

[Flick]

I want to thank Paul Komski and the others who advised me to get rid of Gator and to instead replace it with RoboForm. RoboForm works great but I have found a problem that I wanted to pass along. I have RoboForm in my startup group so that every time I start the computer, RoboForm is running in the background and ready to do its thing. Its use of system resources (Windows ME) is minor. However, the other day I needed to address some envelopes, so I ran Microsoft Works and went to the envelopes section and my computer locked up! Thinking it was just a fluke, I rebooted and tried again with the same lock up. I spent the next day or two trying to figure out the problem. It had always worked before. Anyway I figured it out. RoboFrom caused it to lock up. As soon as I disabled RoboForm, everything in Works, worked! Aside from this minor problem, RoboForm works great! Thanks again Paul for the great advice.:)

[Mitch Hatfield]

Hey Flick

I'm using Roborom with both IE6 and crazy Browser.

Provided that you installed it normally, there's NO need to have it in the Start-up list and therefore it won't be "running in the background" at all.

It simply pops up when it's needed, or when right click in CB :)

Hope this helps.

[Flick]

Thanks Mitch! I tried it and it works just as you said! I'm using IE6. My impression was that if the program was not in the task bar, then it was "out of service". Gosh you guys (and gals) are smart. Glad I joined up and I hope others learn from my stupid mistake. I ended up getting a 2% rise in my system resources (from 81% to 83%). Thank you again Mitch.

[Mitch Hatfield]

Rick

Glad to hear your good news.

No, I'm not so smart and I used to have Roboform as a Start-up prog, until - like you - I had system resource problems and had to re-examine each one of my running progs in fine detail.

I don't know if you are aware this prog, but it's called Start Man. Mjc recommended it to me here a while back and, for resource conservation, it's the tops, IMHO!!

Take a look at it, Rick, although with over 80% (Mine are at 54% now!!)of your resources free, you're looking good :) :)

http://www.forrestandassociates.co.uk/pcforrest/startman_v1.html

[Flick]

You did it again Mitch. You just proved to me that you are very smart indeed! In Windows ME (as you know) system resources must be preserved and I regularly go into the startup file to uncheck those items I don't need. However, for a long time now, I have desired to get rid of some items in the startup menu (rather than just unchecking them) but I really didn't know how. Some unneeded items just kept "rechecking" themselves in the startup menu. It frustrated me. My way of thinking "makes" me attempt to find the answer myself. As an example, if I have a question to post on this forum, I always search the subject first. If I can't find the answer, only then, do I post a question. Anyway, after you solved my RoboForm question my next project was to research the question, "How do I eliminate some of these items from my startup menu?". "Startman" solved the problem. It is a great program. Thank you for your wonderful help! Also, that mjc guy you mentioned is pretty smart too! You guys are the best!:D

[Mitch Hatfield]

Glad to be service, Flick :D

I'm as pleased as you are that you got such good results.

Made my day!!:) :)

BTW, if you want be able to defrag your HD in less than 5 minutes and you're not on XP, then let me know. I also have a great Spybot program which runs like greased lightening. And a really good Spell Checker that works with your PC Guide postings :cool:

[Paul Komski]

Flick how fast is your cpu and how much RAM do you have. I've been running ME for a year now with no resource problems at all! I think its a great OS.

[Mitch Hatfield]

Hi Paul

I'm running W98Se, with a 1Ghz Pentium3 and 128k of RAM and I've always got resource problems - I run a lot of progs for starters.

As I type, my trusty TClock meter shows me at 40%, 40% and 45%, with just 27 Mb's of free RAM.

It has however been drummed into me, by mjc and others, that there is NO link between resources and RAM.

This endemic to W9x, including your Me, but doesn't affect W2K or indeed XP.:)

[Paul Komski]

hehe. I run a lot of programs too on my 1.3GHz/256/20Gig. I never monitor resources; but my pc just flies; so my resources are just fine (empirically anyways) as far as I am concerned :D Take your point about RAM-v-Resources - but having a bit more than enough RAM is nearly always good and having just a few KB would leave a very busy HDD.

Resources and multitasking must have a direct relationship I guess - I'll just have to go and re-read my homework notes!

Out of interest, what sort of problems do you get into? :)

[Flick]

Hi Paul! I've got a 1.4 Ghz P4 with 512 MB of RDRAM plus 60 Gig and 80 Gig hard drives (both 7200 RPM). Yes, my system works very nicely with Windows ME (in part due to your very helpful advice). I suppose I am just a "system resources worry wart". I always want to keep my system in tip top shape. I clean junk files off my drive, run defrag, antivirus check and do a complete system check every night. My goal has always been to keep system resources at 80% or better when I first boot up the machine. Been running Windows ME for almost 2 years now without any real problems. Also, thanks again for all the help you have given me!

[Paul Komski]

Couldn't agree more Flick; about keeping your pc "clean", etc. Wish I could keep my house as clean as my pc!! :D