Run down RAM

[RMD]

I have 256 meg ram, not much running in backround, mainly McAfee V shield. and all of these have been running before this problem started, basically after awhile the ram dwindles down and computer starts getting sluggish. this just started and I have not changed settings and I always keep my programs and drivers upto date. any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

[diurnal]

Welcome RMD
What OS are you running?
Try deleting the cache for your internet.
Go to Start/settings/controlpanel/ internet options
And on the general tab go to delete files and clear history also . This will free up some memory and. But it will remove cache pages and previously type in addresses also.

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Murph's Law: 1.Everything takes longer than you think
2.If anything can go wrong it will
3.Nothing is as easy as it looks

[RMD]

Thanks for the reply,
I have done as you suggested, we'll see how it goes.
I am running win98, celeron II 400, 256 ram.
The computer is not the fastest, but it was very reliable, until the resource's started getting sucked up. This seems to be more noticable when playing games. I also have a cd/dvd, cd burner, zip drive.
Thanks again,
Bob

[mjc]

Exactly what is diminishing..."system resoruces" or RAM...they are not the same, though the results of both diminishing are ..sluggish performance and crashes.

What was the last program you installed and do you leave Vsheild running even when not online?

Playing some games (and other tasks) with an AV app running in the background is a recipe for slow downs...if you had Vshield configured to just scan incoming email or something and you recently updated your virus definitions then check your settings again, make sure that it is not doing a complete system scan. Plus some of the more recent updates to the McAfeeAV scan engine has had problems with memory leaks and instabilities (theses are supposedly fixed in the latest updates...so if you updated a couple of weeks/minths ago try the most recent update.)

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[Seph-Oh]

Hey also check to see if you have any harddrive space left. I was over a friend's house installing a scanner, and I found out that their extremely sluggish performance on their computer was the result of having no disk space left.

[RMD]

hey, Thanks for the reply,
Ram or resources ? I think Ram, a friend suggested I try "ram idle" so I did, If I use it I can see the ram running down, and it does not always return when I close programs. also note that I do not have crashes.
Last program loaded was "roller Coaster tycoon" That is when I first noticed the problem, when the game was played for a while, the computer would get real sluggish, the curser would hardly respond, I would have to reboot. What is the difference between ram and resource ?
Yes I have McAfee VSheild running, full scan on everything, I always have. but I'm wonder about your comment on the leaks in the updates. I always keep my Virus protection upto date. so this could be the problem ?
Just last night I update the Dat Engine to 4.1.60, (I am running version 5.21.1000). Do you think this update may have fixed the problem ?
BTW I have 7 gig left on my HD.

[mjc]

That is the one that is supposed to "fix" thing...the 4.1.5x series was the problem set...and when you aren't online you don't really need it running in the background....but McAfee doesn't make it easy just to have it on while online http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif.

RAM is the actually physical memory chips...Random Access Memory, and the amount of it that is available. Here (http://www2.whidbey.net/djdenham/Window_memory.htm) is a place that explains it pretty well (and don't blame me for the background...it is not MY site... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif )

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[iisbob]

Do you leave your PC running all the time? W95/98/ME are not really suited to constantly run-they aren't capable of correctly handling memory over a long period of time. You should reboot at least every couple of days, this will free up your memory and allow any programs you have installed to be correctly entered into the registry.





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iisbob

CPU= 5mhz
Memory= 16 K
Storage=10.2MB's
Video=Onboard S3 4K
Modem=14.4 baud
Sound=ISA Yamaha 8bit
Mouse=2 button MS
Monitor=ACER 12.5"
OS= WIN 3.1

My ultimate gaming system :)

[RMD]

Thanks to you all ! (for all the great info),
The problem seems to be gone, my guess is that it was the "McAfee".
I'm going to keep an eye out and see how it goes.

I'll be sure to post if I have some more "headaches"
Thanks again,
RMD