Thread: 1gb of ram is not enough?

  1. #1
    bobish
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    1gb of ram is not enough?

    recently I upgraded my computers ram from 628 to 1gb, after that running any windows based programs like my internet conection or virus scan program, I would get me an error message saying that there was not enough available memory. Test have confermed that the ram is there and also games don't give me any problem, just the stuff that is so closly associated with windows. I should mention that I am using windows 98se but have a ME CD which I could install if that would solve the problem. I should also mention that the amount Of memory is the max amount of ram my mother board supports.

  2. #2
    Registered User xds4lx's Avatar
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    well if you look it up i believe windows 95,98,Me only support upto 256mb or ram, or was it 512? well one of the two, but anyways adding more can cause some weird errors.
    "only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and im not sure about the former." - albert einstein

  3. #3
    Lead Moderator kermi3's Avatar
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    I run one gig on XP and it works great. I have no problem with DVD's or text docs...or doing 2 at a time.
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  4. #4
    C fan
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    I use a program called AnalogX MaxMem, which helps to free up my 256Megs of memory. It helps a lot, but there are still times (ie. downloading movies) where I run a little low. I also run Win 98. If you search for AnalogX, you should be able to get a free copy. While you're at it, download a free copy of AnalogX POW, their popup closer. AnalogX is associated with the high-speed cable companies, so I think it is safe to download.

  5. #5
    bobish
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    okay thanks but like I said I had no problem with 612, which is still over 512. At any rate will Me solve my problem, I really don't want to get XP. I suppose I could get linux, at least that is available for free, on the otherhand I may end up needing to get the version which costs $ anyway so that I can get technical support. Another thing to mention is that my old ram is pny and my new ram is kingston. Lastly the new ram is a 512 chip, perhaps it is too big for my opperating system to support it.

  6. #6
    Registered User TravisS's Avatar
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    No, if anything, ME will make your life a living hell.

    ALL 9X series of windows are ****ty at handling memory. While it can physically take something in the region of 2 - 4 gigs, it doesn't know what to do with it after 256 megs.

    Your problem is not your RAM, but your OS.

  7. #7
    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    Your problem is not your RAM, but your OS.
    in a way your right. Your problem is that windows is managing your page file, you need to specify to windows how large to let it go, i suggest a minimum of 128 and a max of say, 512. This will still give u about half your ram for everything else.

  8. #8
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    Sounds like a problem with virtual memory (aka page file, swap file). Even better than Ride or Die's suggestion, choose a size for your swap file and set both minimum and maximum to this size. The rule of thumb is 2.5 times installed ram but with 1 gb you can probably go a lot smaller, say 750 mb.

  9. #9
    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    aye cap'n :P

  10. #10
    Green Member Cshot's Avatar
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    I have 128mb ram and use Win98SE. Never had any problems. I've only had problems when I used 32mb ram.
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  11. #11
    PC Fixer-Upper Waldo2k2's Avatar
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    his problem lies beyond just being win98se (please for the love of god and all that is pure and good DO NOT downgrade to ME) it has to do with how his memory and motherboard and OS interact with eachother and other programs. I suggest (if anything) upgrade to win2000 or if you want XP but i like 2000 better, not as many annoying bugs...it's had more patches and bench testing so it's most likely more secure as well, even though XP was based off of 2000
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  12. #12
    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    waldo, as much as your answer would make sense, as it does, all he needs to do is adjust his pageing file and he'll be ok. The problem lies where windows is managing his memory, a lil adjustment of bill gates's messed up and its all good : )

    However should that not work then it may be in best interest to into suggestion what you said.

    [MOD EDIT - watch the language please]

  13. #13
    PC Fixer-Upper Waldo2k2's Avatar
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    how do you go about adjusting the paging...and what effects would changing the variable certain ways do...i ask because my computer at work (unfortuneatly i got it after someone else used it) is very slow. It's not becuase the hard drive is full or fragmented, it seems to lie ni it's memory management.
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  14. #14
    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    right click on my computer and select properties.

    Click the advanced tab and look for "performance" or "virtual memory"

    Here is where you adjust them according too how much memory(ram) you have.

    What this does is let you specify to windows how much memory it can use for certain things, which keeps it running smoother.

    //edit:

    as said above, this is much more specific and a very good way to set it up:

    Even better than Ride or Die's suggestion, choose a size for your swap file and set both minimum and maximum to this size. The rule of thumb is 2.5 times installed ram but with 1 gb you can probably go a lot smaller, say 750 mb.

  15. #15
    Registered User rick barclay's Avatar
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    Originally posted by xds4lx
    well if you look it up i believe windows 95,98,Me only support upto 256mb or ram, or was it 512? well one of the two, but anyways adding more can cause some weird errors.
    Win Me and 2000 support up to 512 mb of ram, no more.

    XP, as kermi pointed pointed out has no limit on the amount
    or ram you can install.

    So, if you're going to upgrade, upgrade to XP.

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