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Windows ME System Resources

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by huddee102

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The computer has 512 memory available.
Two Gig Pentium running Windows ME
However when a program is closed the memory is not released. A message comes up saying "System Resources are dangerously low.. close a few windows/programs and try again" All visible programs will be closed by this time (except operating system) and still get this message. The only way (so far) to clear up memory is to restart machine. Any ideas?

Thanks

7 replies

by wcp

Windows 98 and ME becomes unsatble when you have 512MB or more RAM.
Option 1. Reduce the memory to 256 or 384MB.
Option 2. Put the following line under [vcache] in C:\Windows\System.ini.
MaxFileCache=384MB
Option 3. Upgrade your Windows to Win2K or XP.

by thechas

Answer 1 is likely correct.
There is a documented bug in W9X/Me that can cause Windows to run out of memory very easily when more than 511MB of RAM is installed.

This bug is VERY configuration dependant.
Adding a new device, or virtual device driver can trigger the bug at any time.

I limit all my 9X boxes to 384MB to avoid the bug.

You also may have a memory leak.

To check for a memory leak, download and try one of the memory managers such as RAM Booster or MemTurbo.

If they are able to keep your system running, then you have a memory leak. If not, then it is the 512MB Windows bug.

If you do have a memory leak, I do not have a reliable 'simple' fix.
I usually end up formatting the drive and starting over.

You can try Registry Repair tools such as Norton WinDoctor, or V-Com Fix-It to clear up bad links and keys in the registry.

Chas

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