Avoiding Computer Problems
#1
Join Date: Feb 1998
Location: The Shake and Bake State USA
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All too many times some computers freeze up, slow down and may even crash. For those computers that are otherwise running well, have all the correct and uncorrupted files, correctly installed and running properly needed files and programs, the problems may be simply associated with a lack of resources.
Resources can be defined as RAM. There is NO substitute for RAM. RAM can be thought of as HORSEPOWER! With a lack of HORSEPOWER, the job or task at hand either becomes difficult or impossible.
Example: Attempting to haul a huge and heavily loaded trailer up a steep incline using a vehicle with a small engine.
Many computer problems arise when too many unneeded programs are running in the background that aren't needed.
These are the program icons you see next to the clock on the right side of the task bar in a Windows operating system.
The more icons there are visable there next to the clock, the less resources that are available for additional operations. Like web surfing, printing, scanning and word programs, etc.
Each time another program is opened, like Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Excel, Word, Notepad, etc. resources drop slightly. The more useage within any of those programs the further the resources decline.
In my opinion and based upon my experiences, it is always best to have about 80-85% in the system, user and GDI resources free at startup and during beginning running. These resources will become lower in value {decline} as you continue to use the computer. Knowing this can be valuable information towards avoiding common computer problems.
What you may want to do is open those programs which you do not need running all the time and select the option to NOT allow them to run at startup.
Whatever programs windows wants to and has to have running, allow those to remain. All you really need to add or allow to run additionally is virus protection. Nothing else is essential unless you add more RAM to the OEM system!
If this applies to you:
Schedule nothing for automatic operation. Do the updates and mantainence etc. manually, for overall best results.
If that option is not available from within the program itself, do this:
Click Start
Select RUN...a dialogue box will open anmed RUN.
Type in MSCONFIG
Click OKAY
Then go to the startup tab and click it.
There will be several programs. Each will be a box containing check marks. UNCHECK {de select} ONLY those optional and additional programs YOU downloaded and are running {next to that clock} or those you ADDED from a CD or floppy disk...ONLY!
Allow all other boxes to remain checked!
Click the OKAY selection to complete the proceedure.
Doing this will stop those unwanted and unneeded programs from loading up upon startup next time you turn on the computer or after a reboot. Doing this will free up more needed an essential resources.
Another option would be to install {from windows} the resource meter. It will run in the clock portion of the right side menu bar. The GREEN vertical bars will allow you to see all the available resources instantly. The resource meter uses only a tiny amount of resource. In return it offers valuable information.
Once this resource meter is running, holding the pointer on it will allow a tiny window to open just below or above it, depending on the location of your task bar. There you will be shown a 3 section breakdown of the resources there are available for the current operation of the computer.
These resources will become reduced as you use the computer and perform normal operations. They usually drop drastically during printing and scanning etc. Substantially less with sufficient amounts of available RAM.
All other considerations aside, without sufficient RAM the computer can freeze up, run slower and even crash. Often prone to happen when the resources meter indicates less then 45-65% of the resources remaining in any of the systems shown in the drop down list of the resources is remaining.
The "GREEN BARS" will continually decline with computer useage. During printing, as an example, the indicator may turn RED and printing will stop or fail. Heavy graphics web pages also turn the meter "RED" if available RAM is low.
The meter will turn "RED" and remain "RED" if too many resources are used up. A freeze up or crash is then prone to happen. Without the resource meters warnings, all the warning signs are unknow to the user.
Once again. There is NO substitute for RAM.
These observations and opinons are my personal experiences based solely upon the useage of my computers. Your experiences, opinons and solutions may differ. Individual results may vary.
Sincerely,
A Forum Moderator
Tom_Bartco...
#2
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Join Date: Jan 2000
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No doubt! RAM and at LEAST 8mB of separate Video RAM.
Startling, but the machine I'm typing this on shows:
SYSTEM RESOURCES: 62%
USER: 62%
GDI: 84%
And yes, my work systray shows a few "extraneous" items such as ATI monitor driver, MSN Messenger service, and the McAffee Virus shield. Also, this Windows 95 has a "second" tray just to the right of the START button - what is that doing in a 95 system?
My new machine at home shows at least 95% on all three. 128mBRAM, 9mBswapfile. : )
-Chris
Startling, but the machine I'm typing this on shows:
SYSTEM RESOURCES: 62%
USER: 62%
GDI: 84%
And yes, my work systray shows a few "extraneous" items such as ATI monitor driver, MSN Messenger service, and the McAffee Virus shield. Also, this Windows 95 has a "second" tray just to the right of the START button - what is that doing in a 95 system?
My new machine at home shows at least 95% on all three. 128mBRAM, 9mBswapfile. : )
-Chris
#3
that tray to the right be yer quicklaunch tool bar, you can disable it if you want by right clicking on your (always forget the name of the start bar thingy(tech talk)) and moveing to tool bars and removing the checkmark next to quicklaunch. I think that comes with 95 release b. Never had the second release of 95 so I cant be certian.
If you have the latest ati drivers, or any after the one on the cd that comes with ati cards, you can go to advanced properties of your display adapter and may have a ati icon check box you can uncheck to remove the ati icon in the sys tray.
Brian.
p.s. cpu= horsepower
Ram= Size of the cart
HD = Size of the warehouse
and the destination could be thought of as your application.
Vid Ram and speed would then be the size of the receiving dock and how many workers are moving the packeges to the ship for display.
The bigger your cart the more information you can move before going back to the warehouse for another load, the faster your cpu the faster your cart can travel. Will get into bus width and speed another day.
Just because you have 256Mg Ram in a 286-33 dont mean you can use most of todays programs.
If you have the latest ati drivers, or any after the one on the cd that comes with ati cards, you can go to advanced properties of your display adapter and may have a ati icon check box you can uncheck to remove the ati icon in the sys tray.
Brian.
p.s. cpu= horsepower
Ram= Size of the cart
HD = Size of the warehouse
and the destination could be thought of as your application.
Vid Ram and speed would then be the size of the receiving dock and how many workers are moving the packeges to the ship for display.
The bigger your cart the more information you can move before going back to the warehouse for another load, the faster your cpu the faster your cart can travel. Will get into bus width and speed another day.
Just because you have 256Mg Ram in a 286-33 dont mean you can use most of todays programs.