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System Configuration Utility

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by tconnor

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We are running 1Ghz computers with Win 98 SE and 256mb of memory. In an attempt to resolve a problem we were having with McAfee Virusscan software, we changed the "Limit memory to:" setting in the Win 98 'System Config Utility', 'Advanced'option from 256mb to 128mb. This solved the problem immediately and didn't seem to affect the performance of the computer at all. I am concerned however that we may have eliminated the other 128mb of memory from being accessible. Is this true ? What are the negative affects of making this change ? Does it only restrict the operating system to 128mb and leave the remaining memory free for other programs to use ?

9 replies

by beermonster

As you suspect, this setting will prevent both the OS and your apps from accessing the other 128mb of memory. bear in mind that it is the OS that assigns memory space to applications, so if the OS can't see it, it won't assign it. FYI the limit memory switch actually adds a setting to the system.ini that 98 will read on start up. If restricting the memory solved the problem, it's possible that your issues are being caused by a defective memory stick. Might be worth looking into.....

by tconnor

Thanks that's a good thought but we have been down that road already. These are all brand new computers and the memory has been checked and in some cases replaced to prove that physical memory was not the issue.

by timthetoolman

Hi,

Yep, the BeerMonster got it right re: How much memory is available to the OS and consequently the programs... 128Mb now!

See the following article from Microsoft re: This. Its actually about another problem but the fix is the same.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q192397

(remove spaces from the above URL)

Does your memory come in two cards (ie. 128Mb x 2) ?

If it does, then I'd try with only one of the cards installed. If it works, then you can be fairly sure its the other physical card causing you the problems.

Make sure they're in the right slots (0,1)

Make sure there aren't any settings in the BIOS that might somehow disable the memory.

Go for conservative settings for memory in theBIOS. I think there's one called "2T". It basically slows the memory access by 1/2 clock cylcle for stability.

There are others too. Check these.

Oh, and just because they're new machines doesn't mean they're ok. If the supplier is clueless re: setting them up, then its likely they've stuffed it up.

Hope you find it.

Cheers,
Tim.

by b_pope

if this is a memory problem that Mcafee's program (first aid online)is saying you have, I would disregard it. Norton's systemworks has a similar problem with reporting errors on systems with more than 512megs & sometimes sytems with much less.

by tconnor

Thanks but it isn't a memory problem per se. When McAfee Virusscan is installed, the system performance degrades and the mouse becomes unresponsive and erratic. If you attempt to play any audio files they are broken and choppy. Once McAfee is disabled or uninstalled, all works great. The only way to resolve this was to make the aforementioned changes in the Win 98 System Config Utility. McAfee has recognized it as a problem but not taken any responsibility for fixing it as yet. I just need to know what the implications are of changing the memory settings. FOOTNOTE: We have tried Norton and that works just fine as is. Thanks again for the response.

by wamey16

if i were you i would get rid of McAfee Virus Scan and install Nortan Anti-Virus!

But back to the question in hand, no the extra 128mb is still there and it is probably being used but the system isnt showing it and the perfomance should not be too bad because you have a 1Ghz PC!

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