> "Endulini" <fruit@orange.com> wrote:
>
> >Hi All,
> >
> >I'm looking to increase my memory and have come across the infamous error
> >that means Windows 98SE throws a wobbly when more than 512MB is

> >I've read the work-arounds but can anyone explain, do you still get the
> >benefit from having more than 512MB RAM? In my limited understand they

> >to be fooling/forcing the PC to accept that it has no more than 512MB
> >installed therefore is there any point in having more?
> >
> >Thanks.
>
> Adding more memory can noticeably improve performance only if the
> added memory results in reduced usage of the virtual memory swap file.
> Therefore if the swap file is not currently being used to any
> significant extent then adding more memory will not provide a
> significant improvement.
>
> Before installing more RAM use the System Monitor utility that comes
> with Windows and use Edit - Add to set it to track "Memory manager:
> Swap file in use" for several days of normal to heavy usage.  If "Swap
> file in use" regularly shows as 20 mb or more then the swap file is
> being used extensively and more memory would result in improved
> performance.  Otherwise it is not likely to make any noticeable
> difference.
>
> This applies regardless of how much or how little RAM is currently
> installed in the computer.
>
> If you do go beyond 512 mb of RAM with Windows 95/98/Me then you need
> to add the following entry to the existing [vcache] section of the
> system.ini file:
>
> MaxFileCache=512000
>
> That limits the amount of memory that Windows can map for use as disk
> cache, thereby avoiding false "out of memory" errors that might
> otherwise result.
>
> It does not prevent Windows from using the full amount of the
> installed RAM for Windows components, application programs, device
> drivers, or data files.
>
> Note that there is no documented instance that I am aware of Windows
> 95/98/Me being successfully used on a computer with more than 1.5 gb
> of RAM installed unless the total RAM usage has been restricted by the
> use of a MaxPhysPage entry in the [386enh] section of system.ini
>
> Good luck
>
> Ron Martell     Duncan B.C.    Canada