Virtual memory question

[BillW]

Even though this is a Windows 98 question, I'll post it here because this is
the forum of the smart people. I have XP SP2 and haven't used 98 in a long
time. A friend of mine has 98 and keeps getting out of memory messages. I
haven't had a chance to look at his computer yet, but anticipate that I will
adjust his virtual memory settings. What is the best virtual memory
setting? I seem to remember something like 2 to 2.5 times actual memory to
virtual memory. Also, min and max set to the same value. I would
appreciate any input you can give me. Thanks for your help.

 

[Rock]

Even though this is a Windows 98 question, I'll post it here because this is
the forum of the smart people. I have XP SP2 and haven't used 98 in a long
time. A friend of mine has 98 and keeps getting out of memory messages. I
haven't had a chance to look at his computer yet, but anticipate that I will
adjust his virtual memory settings. What is the best virtual memory
setting? I seem to remember something like 2 to 2.5 times actual memory to
virtual memory. Also, min and max set to the same value. I would
appreciate any input you can give me. Thanks for your help.

You should post this to the win98 newsgroup. Lots of good folks are in
there. Here is a list of all MS newsgroups:

http://aumha.org/nntp.htm

 

[Tim Slattery]

Even though this is a Windows 98 question, I'll post it here because this is
the forum of the smart people. I have XP SP2 and haven't used 98 in a long
time. A friend of mine has 98 and keeps getting out of memory messages. I
haven't had a chance to look at his computer yet, but anticipate that I will
adjust his virtual memory settings. What is the best virtual memory
setting? I seem to remember something like 2 to 2.5 times actual memory to
virtual memory. Also, min and max set to the same value. I would
appreciate any input you can give me. Thanks for your help.

In Win98 the message is most likely caused by trying to run too many
programs at once. Running simultaneous programs in Win9x systems is
constrained by the "System Resources" problem. The "resources" are two
64KB heaps that are used by all programs for menus, dialog boxes,
cursors, paintbrushes, pens.... on and on. Programs are supposed to
use what they need and return what they've used when they are finished
using it. You can run out of this memory long before using up all the
RAM that's installed, and that will trigger the "out of memory"
messages.

Also, if a program is poorly written and doesn't return resource, or
crashes before it gets a chance to, those resources are simply gone
until the machine is rebooted. So if your friend tends to run his
machine for long periods without rebooting, this could be a
contributing factor.

On of the big advantages that XP has over the 9x line is that this
problem totally disappears.

 

[Ron Martell]

Even though this is a Windows 98 question, I'll post it here because this is
the forum of the smart people. I have XP SP2 and haven't used 98 in a long
time. A friend of mine has 98 and keeps getting out of memory messages. I
haven't had a chance to look at his computer yet, but anticipate that I will
adjust his virtual memory settings. What is the best virtual memory
setting? I seem to remember something like 2 to 2.5 times actual memory to
virtual memory. Also, min and max set to the same value. I would
appreciate any input you can give me. Thanks for your help.

For Windows 98 Virtual Memory the only repeat only workable settings
for the virtual memory swap file are no settings at all. Period.

Above all else never repeat never specify a maximum size limit for the
virtual memory swap file in Windows 95/98/Me.

If you require more detailed information or advice please repost this
request to microsoft.public.windows98.gen_discussion

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

 

[BillW]

Thank you all very much. This information really helped.

 

[Plato]

Even though this is a Windows 98 question, I'll post it here because this is
the forum of the smart people. I have XP SP2 and haven't used 98 in a long
time. A friend of mine has 98 and keeps getting out of memory messages. I
haven't had a chance to look at his computer yet, but anticipate that I will
adjust his virtual memory settings.

Which would probably be a mistake.