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Windows Forum / Windows Me / Hardware / October 2004RAM memory allocation
I'm running WinME and have 1.2GB of memory. Though my system recogize the full 1.2GB, when I run a mem in DOS the total conventional reads 640K with 580K Free. In the Extended (XMS) column it reads 65,535K total with 1,309,26 Free. How can I allocate more of the XMS to utilize my 1.2GB? I'm not able to run many programs at once due to freezing. I have an antivirs, spysweeper and a firewall wall running. I tried to remove all that I knew to remore in the msconfig/startup. When I'm in N7 with Outlook Express running, my resources are down to 46% free. Why isn't my system utilizing 1.2GB properly? Are my 2-512K mem sticks defective? Thx for any help that I may receive. HiTekMom (a.k.a. Mocha Martha Stewart) Since you say you have 1.2GB of RAM have you made the necessary changes to system.ini so as to limit vcache to 512MB? If not then you are heading for problems. BTW you mention 1.2GB but I suspect you mean 1.0GB (2x412MB). Win Me, like previous Win 9x operating systems can handle up to 2GB of RAM however if you have more than 512MB it is essential to limit the virtual cache to no more than 512MB as follows: To limit vcache, open system.ini and add the lines [VCache] MaxFileCache=512000 Note that this will still mean that all memory is available to applications but is simply limiting the amount used as virtual cache memory See KB 253912 - ""Out of Memory" Error Messages with Large Amounts of RAM Installed" (http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=253912). As for the output of the MEM command when run in a DOS window this tells you nothing about how Win Me is using memory but instead just that of the DOS window. What actual memory problems are you having? Post details and someone will hopefully be able to help. Resources have nothing to do with memory but instead refer to two small 64KB, yes KB, stacks used to store 16 bit pointers used by 16 bit applications and libraries. The size of these stacks is fixed, cannot be altered and is intrinsic to the design of all Win 9x based operating systems. To increase free resources you need to a) reduce the number of applications being launched each time you boot your PC, and b) close rather than minimise unused applications. A good place to look to for advice as to which programs need to be run at startup and those that can be safely disabled, is Pacman's site where he lists what should definitely be retained and which can be safely removed from the startup axis (http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm). Reducing such applications and only starting them when required can free up significant resources. Note though that before disabling any application that you make yourself fully aware of its purpose and understand what the consequences might be, if any, of disabling it at start up.  SignatureMike Maltby MS-MVP mcmaltby@hotmail.com > I'm running WinME and have 1.2GB of memory. > Though my system recogize the full 1.2GB, when I run a mem in DOS the [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > HiTekMom > (a.k.a. Mocha Martha Stewart) Mike, My systems reads 1280.0MB. That calculates to 1.2GB. I have 2(512K) and the 2 (128K) base mem that came with the system. I'm going to run through the vcache as you describe below because I believe WinMe is having a problem because of the accessive memory. I'm not sure of the process you describe, but I will research more. However, I did try to increase the virtual memory in the Systems Properties, but was unsuccesful. How do I open the systems.ini file? Thx much, If you need more info on my system to be able to give correct diagnoses, pls let me know. > Since you say you have 1.2GB of RAM have you made the necessary changes to > system.ini so as to limit vcache to 512MB? If not then you are heading [quoted text clipped - 58 lines] > > HiTekMom > > (a.k.a. Mocha Martha Stewart) I said nothing about virtual memory. Let windows handle that. What I said was that you needed to limit the virtual cache to no more than 512MB. My post explained what you need to do and also gave you a reference to the Knowledge base article that also explains the problem. You can edit system.ini as follows: Either, using MSConfig (Start, Run, enter MSConfig in the box and click OK): Open the System.ini tab Highlight the line [vcache] Click New An empty box will open up to the right of a checked check box Insert in the box: MaxFileCache=512000 Click OK Alternatively, Locate the file system.ini in your windows folder. Use Windows Explorer. Select the file and double click to open in Notepad, add the line: MaxFileCache=512000 to the [vcache] section Then Save. So you have 2x512MB and 2x128MB rather than just the 2x512MB of RAM you mentioned in your earlier post. That explains the 1280MB you mention (which is 1.25GB). SignatureMike Maltby MS-MVP [2001-2005] mcmaltby@hotmail.com > My systems reads 1280.0MB. That calculates to 1.2GB. I have 2(512K) > and the 2 (128K) base mem that came with the system. I'm going to run [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > If you need more info on my system to be able to give correct > diagnoses, pls let me know. >I'm running WinME and have 1.2GB of memory. >Though my system recogize the full 1.2GB, when I run a mem in DOS the total >conventional reads 640K with 580K Free. >In the Extended (XMS) column it reads 65,535K total with 1,309,26 Free. MS-DOS, including the MS-DOS emulator included with Windows Me, is not capable of using more than 64 mb of RAM and therefore that is all that is reported by the MEM command. This has no relationship to how much RAM Windows can use. Open My Computer - System - General and see how much RAM is being reported there. If that shows the full 1.2 gb (or possibly a few MB less if your motherboard has integrated video) then all is well. Good luck Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada SignatureMicrosoft MVP On-Line Help Computer Service http://onlinehelp.bc.ca "The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much." Ron, My system reads, via MyComputer, Performance Tab: 1280.0MB. So, you are saying that even though I have over 1GB of memory, I'll still get freezes in some apps if I have too many open? - HiTekMom > >I'm running WinME and have 1.2GB of memory. > >Though my system recogize the full 1.2GB, when I run a mem in DOS the total [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > "The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much." What freezes? Can you provide some details as this is something you didn't mention in your original post. Again though I have to ask have you limited vcache to 512MB as explained in my earlier post? If not you are going to have problems. Period. SignatureMike Maltby MS-MVP [2001-2005] mcmaltby@hotmail.com > Ron, > > My system reads, via MyComputer, Performance Tab: 1280.0MB. > > So, you are saying that even though I have over 1GB of memory, I'll > still get freezes in some apps if I have too many open? Mike, Thank you very much for your patience. I have printed your first response and am studying it. I am reading over the links that you've posted and am trying to get an understanding. I will follow the steps you have provided and will let you know the outcome. What freezes are my Earthlink mailbox and IE. I've since changed my mailbox to Outlook Express, but am using N7 instead of IE. Macromedia Fireworks refuse to open if I have several windows open, ie, N7, Outlook plus any more. I do understand the problems WinMe could have if I have too much memory. It's vcashing I need to learn more about. And thx to you I'm on the road to doing so. As far as my continuing to have the problem, you are right. Even though I've reformated my harddrive, I recently experienced the same error msg recv'd before the reformat msg: "Dangerously low on resources". Thx again, HiTekMom > What freezes? Can you provide some details as this is something you > didn't mention in your original post. Again though I have to ask have you [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > So, you are saying that even though I have over 1GB of memory, I'll > > still get freezes in some apps if I have too many open? As you have more than 1.0Gb of RAM you need to make more than one edit to SYSTEM.INI For RAM > 512Mb [VCACHE] MaxFileCache=524288 For RAM > 1.0Gb [386ENH] MaxPhysPage=40000 I used MaxFileCache of 524288 because that is the binary value, using 512000 is decimal. And I used it when runningWinME on my system with 2.0Gb of RAM and before I upgraded to XP Pro. Jerry > Mike, > [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] >> > So, you are saying that even though I have over 1GB of memory, I'll >> > still get freezes in some apps if I have too many open? Jerry, The MaxFileCache in my system.ini file under vcache did = to 524288 before I changed it to 512000. If that wasn't the problem, then what is your take on my getting a "Dangerously low resources" after have open 2 or more windows. Since I just changed the line to 512000 I have not yet tested the outcome. Meaning I need to open several apps being, N7, Outlook Express, IE and then I'll try Macromedia Fireworks. Before, IE ususualy freezes, Fireworks states "Internal Error" then shortly after that I receive a "Dangerously low on resources and ask that I specifically close one of the applications until I've closed them all. Then if I try to reopen any one app, I receive a "Unable to open, low on mem, pls close one or more apps [or something to that nature]" Thx - HiTekMom > As you have more than 1.0Gb of RAM you need to make more than one edit to > SYSTEM.INI [quoted text clipped - 55 lines] > >> > So, you are saying that even though I have over 1GB of memory, I'll > >> > still get freezes in some apps if I have too many open? Okay! Here's what I did, Mike let me know if you know otherwise: - I set MaxFileCache=524288 under vcache - I added line MaxPhysPage=40000 under [386ENH] To test this I: - opened N7, IE, MSWord and Macromedia Fireworks - while Norton, SpySweeper, a Fire wall, and an Update Reminder resides in my sys.tray Everything work beautifully. Except one minor glich, I can live with, IE took way to long to load the URL I Typed in. The initial load was fair, but when I typed in a specific address the connection was too long. It could have been the server on the other end. I'll try again, another time. As for now, I'm going to consider my problem SOLVED!!!! Hey, look at the time, and I haven't packed hubby's lunch for tomorrow yet. Thx much guys. ooooo (consider these my homemade chocolate chips cookies baked especially for the two of you - Jerry and Mike). - Ciao, > Jerry, > [quoted text clipped - 80 lines] > > >> > So, you are saying that even though I have over 1GB of memory, I'll > > >> > still get freezes in some apps if I have too many open? Whilst not usually required since Win 9x systems can handle up to 2GB of RAM I'm pleased to read that Jerry's suggestion of setting MaxPhysPage=40000 has helped solve your problem. Incidentally this has the same effect as your removing the two small 128MB memory sticks. SignatureMike Maltby MS-MVP [2001-2005] mcmaltby@hotmail.com > Okay! Here's what I did, Mike let me know if you know otherwise: > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > Thx much guys. ooooo (consider these my homemade chocolate chips > cookies baked especially for the two of you - Jerry and Mike). >Whilst not usually required since Win 9x systems can handle up to 2GB of >RAM I'm pleased to read that Jerry's suggestion of setting >MaxPhysPage=40000 has helped solve your problem. Incidentally this has >the same effect as your removing the two small 128MB memory sticks. Actually there is no documented instance of anyone using Windows 9x successfully with more than 1.5 gb of RAM installed. Use of the MaxPhysPage parameter is getting more common these days as more people are configuring systems with huge amounts of RAM to multi-boot Windows XP and Windows 98SE/Me. Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada SignatureMicrosoft MVP On-Line Help Computer Service http://onlinehelp.bc.ca "The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much." Thanks for that info Ron. I well understand that users are now running machines with much larger amounts of RAM than before - just think what 1.25GB might have cost even five years ago. I seem to recall I began testing Win Me with probably just 128MB of RAM although I know the PC I was using had 384MB by the end of that beta. What seems to vary though from system to system is the figure at which the use of MaxPhysPage is required. I was under the impression that this kicked in around the 1.5GB mark (as you mentioned) however there have been a number of recent posts including this one where limiting to usable memory to 1GB is required to fix problems. Perhaps in future it would be best to advise the use of MaxPhysPage=40000 whenever installed memory exceeds 1GB. Cheers, SignatureMike > Actually there is no documented instance of anyone using Windows 9x > successfully with more than 1.5 gb of RAM installed. > > Use of the MaxPhysPage parameter is getting more common these days as > more people are configuring systems with huge amounts of RAM to > multi-boot Windows XP and Windows 98SE/Me. >Thanks for that info Ron. > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > >Cheers, The problems with memory over 1 gb seem to be hardware related in some way, but nobody has identified the exact cause. There are instances where certain computers will not run with anything more than 1 gb of RAM unless the MaxPhysPage is set to limit usage to 1 gb; and other computers that run quite happily with up to 1.5 gb. And with the end of Microsoft's active support for Windows Me I doubt if anyone will take the time to seriously research the problem so as to identify the precise cause. Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada SignatureMicrosoft MVP On-Line Help Computer Service http://onlinehelp.bc.ca "The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much." It is blustery and rainy here in Southern California with snow on the local mountains so your chocolate chip cookies would go just fine with my afternoon cup of coffee. Glad to hear the problem was solved. The MaxPhysPage number for 40000 I got from someone at Microsoft a while ago. I tried changing it to see if things would get better or worse and on my ME sysetm I finally set it at 49999. (Don't have a clue as to why 50000 wouldn't work.) (Using the larger number resulted in more memory being available as shown when Control Panel > System was invoked. Jerry > Okay! Here's what I did, Mike let me know if you know otherwise: > [quoted text clipped - 122 lines] >> > >> > I'll >> > >> > still get freezes in some apps if I have too many open? I'm sorry Ron, I just couldn't believe that there was nothing I could do. Because all wasn't well. - Ciao > >I'm running WinME and have 1.2GB of memory. > >Though my system recogize the full 1.2GB, when I run a mem in DOS the total [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > "The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much." >I'm sorry Ron, I just couldn't believe that there was nothing I could do. >Because all wasn't well. > >- Ciao Don't blame you for being concerned or for asking. We all learn by asking questions. Good luck Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada SignatureMicrosoft MVP On-Line Help Computer Service http://onlinehelp.bc.ca "The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much." |
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