Windows 98 SE resources problems

[Steve M]

Having a problem with Windows 98SE. I keep getting a "not enough resources" message when I try to open files or run programs. I get told to quit other programs and try again. When I press CTRL+Delete and stop the programs, I still get the same message, even if I End Task all of them! There's plenty of memory on the C drive according to Properties. Any ideas? I know 98 is a bit ancient, but the old computer comes in handy when the new Vista one is being used by someone else, plus it has docs on I don't want to lose.

[ale52]

How much RAM is installed on the computer?

Alan <>< 

[WillyW]

Having a problem with Windows 98SE. I keep getting a "not enough resources" message when I try to open files or run programs. I get told to quit other programs and try again. When I press CTRL+Delete and stop the programs, I still get the same message, even if I End Task all of them! There's plenty of memory on the C drive according to Properties. Any ideas? I know 98 is a bit ancient, but the old computer comes in handy when the new Vista one is being used by someone else, plus it has docs on I don't want to lose.

How much ram is in that machine?
( WinKey+Pause/Break   to bring up System Properties.   Ram is listed on
the 'General' tab.)


What are the programs that you have running?

There's plenty of memory on the C drive according to Properties.

Clarification:
That's not memory,  that's storage space on the hard drive.  They are different.    When I referred to 'ram' above,  that's memory.


I too use Win98SE.   
I've seen your symptom,  but rarely.    This computer has 512M of ram in it though.   I suspect that helps.

When I have had it happen,  I was doing quite a bit at once.   Like a few windows of Firefox open,  each with several tabs within it open.   One with a couple dozen tabs open.     Thunderbird running, checking email.    A word processor.   Maybe some more.

I believe I've read that Firefox tends to 'leak', meaning that it slowly eats up  more and more memory, the longer it is running.     Thinking of this is one reason I asked you to mention the programs that you have running.

It has been quite a while since I've seen it.   But I think that closing them usually fixed it.   I do remember having to reboot to fix it sometimes too though.    I'll speculate:   Windows gets itself confused and doesn't realize that the memory is no longer needed by the programs that you just closed.
A reboot straightens that out.

If you are opening a lot of programs at once,  experiment with opening less and see if that makes a difference.

If you have minimal memory in that computer, and if you can easily add more,  that too would be an interesting experiment.

With the addtional info you provide -   amount of ram and name and number of programs running at once -  somebody else will probably be along shortly to comment,  hopefully a bit more specifically than I could.

[2k_dummy]

This can sometimes be caused by DOS programs loading/running/ or attempting to run in low memory. If you have such programs, go to the property sheets and set the dropdown menus to auto and check the tick box on "uses HMA. Apply changes and reboot.

[Steve M]

OK, more info. Memory: 256 RAM, System Resources: 59% free
Programs that come up when I do CTRL/Alt/Delete:
Explorer,
 Msnmsgr,
 Avgemc,
 Gsicon,
Ymsgr_tray,
 Avgcc (my antivirus software is called AVG),
Mccitrayapp,
Ycommon,
Bthelpnotifier (BT is the company we get our internet from),
Msnappau,
Loadqm,
Ybrwicon,
Qttask,
 Atiptaxx,
Dslagant,
Rundll32,
Systray,
E-s10ic2,
Rtserver,
892898668.

That's a lot of programs by the looks of things. These all come up automatically every time I boot up, before I start opening anything. Perhaps my boot up procedure needs altering, but if that's the case, how? I have the Win98 SE disc that came with the computer, should I try running from that when I boot up, again, not sure how you'd do that. And would that enable me to still get to my docs? All ideas much appreciated.

[dahlarbear]

1.  System Resources.  The Windows 9x operating systems have a "fixed" amount of system resource space available.  It has nothing to do with the amount of RAM you have in your system.  It is because of this design constraint that people migrate to the Windows NT line of operating systems (which do not have this fixed limit on system resources).


2.  From "the Unauthorized Guide, Windows 98 Second Edition" by Paul McFedries, QUE, 1999, ISBN 0-7897-1912-6:

The system resources are

special memory areas called heaps that Windows 98 uses to store data structures for things like windows, menus, toolbars, fonts, ports, and more.  The irony lies in the frustrating fact that your computer can have megabytes of free memory, but if the system resource heaps reach their limits, your programs may crash and Windows itself may refuse to run.

Some Ways to Save System Resources

    o  Shutdown any applications you're not using.

    o  Many programs use up system resources as you work, and the longer the program is open, the more unnecessary resources will be allocated.  You can rid the system of these unnecessary resources by exiting and restarting the application.

    o  Each open document window uses up some resources, so close any documents you don't need.

    o  Other application features - such as toolbars and status bars - use up resources, so shut down any of these features that you don't use.

    o  Some applications are huge system resource hogs.  Internet Explorer, for example, seems to use an inordinate amount of resources, particularly if it is running for a long time.  Keep an eye on your resources as you use your programs to determine which ones seem to use up a large amount of resources.  Use those programs as sparingly as possible, and never leave them running for long periods of time.

    o  Turn off the Active Desktop.

    o  Don't use wallpaper, animated cursors, or desktop themes.

    o  Run your DOS applications full-screen instead of in a window.

3.  Resource Meter.  Windows 9x provides a system utility to track the current usage of "system resources".  There are two sets of resources:  User and Graphical Display Interface (GDI).  When installed, the utility may be accessed from:

    Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Resource Meter

4.  Install Resource Meter.  It can be installed from the Windows 98SE Setup CD or the setup files if they were copied to your hard drive.  To install:

    o  Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs
    o  From Add/Remove Programs Properties window select "Windows Setup" tab
    o  Left click on "System Tools", then left click on "Details" button
    o  Add a check for "System Resource Meter" leaving other checkboxes as you found them
    o  Select OK, select OK again to approve changes
    o  Don't know if you need to reboot afterwards, but it should now be on your "System Tools" menu accessed through the Start Menu.

[WillyW]

OK, more info. Memory: 256 RAM, System Resources: 59% free
Programs that come up when I do CTRL/Alt/Delete:

...

Perhaps my boot up procedure needs altering, but if that's the case, how?
...

 All ideas much appreciated.

Were it me,  I'd use Google,  and search each one of those things that you found in Task Manager.

Read.

Carefully decide on each one of them.  Some you will want running.  Some, you likely will not.    Questions on any of them? - -  post those questions right here, and somebody will likely have advice on wheather or not you can
safely stop that program from loading/running.

Just for fun,  Google   qttask  and   loadqm.   
Then you'll want to Google the rest of them.

One way to stop them from loading at boot:
Start->Run
Type in          msconfig            in the Run box and ok it.
System Configuration Utility will pop up.
Go to the Startup tab.    It has directions on what to do there.

[Steve M]

Thanks for your suggestions. I'll try them.

[2k_dummy]

Most of that can be stopped without ill effect. If you go to start/run/msinfo32, startup tab, you can see where the programs are actually started from. With the possible exception of sys.tray, explorer, and your AV software, You can untick any of them, click apply, and reboot. Don't let it scare you. If you find that any of them are desiread, just reverse the procedure to get them back. It is always best to use the start menu or shortcut when possible  rather than let everything start up when the computer is started.

Sorry about the long delay for posting. Had to go to the Doc's nad tge silly thing times out on 1500k DSL. Go figure........

[Steve M]

Thanks! Unticked most of the stuff apart from systray, explorer and AVG, and it seems to be working. Also got rid of stuff I don't need, like wallpaper. Now when I press ctrl/alt/delete there's about five programs instead of just over twenty!
Cheers!

[ianbell]

Dump AVG when you are not on the internet - totally ties up w98se systems resources - i.e. Word used to take up to 4 mins to load for me and with AVG turned off loads in about 15 secs!  Found this out by playing with dumping one progam after another.

[WillyW]

Dump AVG when you are not on the internet - totally ties up w98se systems resources - i.e. Word used to take up to 4 mins to load for me and with AVG turned off loads in about 15 secs!  Found this out by playing with dumping one progam after another.

Interesting.

I use Win98SE.   Using it right now.
AVG is always loaded, with Resident Sheild running.

I've never experienced what you described.

[Broni]

The Windows 9x operating systems have a "fixed" amount of system resource space available.  It has nothing to do with the amount of RAM you have in your system.

Right on. Win 98 is prone to so called "memory leak". The longer you use it, the less resources you have.
Win 98 must be restarted once in a while, and there is no way around.
Smart thing you did, was to eliminate as many startups, as possible.

[GX1_Man]

The memory limitations of Win98 are known, but the most common reason for this problem is too many programs running, malware ot too long between boots. What are you using BESIDE AVG? How long since Windows was freshly installed on that machine? Are you using any other maintenance programs like CCleaner?

I would start by updating all the anti-malware programs, boot to safe mode and run the scan. Then use CCleaner, then disk defrag. and see if you are better off.

If you are REALLY curious of just ONE cause, then reboot the machine and see how long it runs between error messages.

GX1

[patio]

Dump AVG when you are not on the internet - totally ties up w98se systems resources - i.e. Word used to take up to 4 mins to load for me and with AVG turned off loads in about 15 secs!  Found this out by playing with dumping one progam after another.

2nd unfounded claim relating to AVG and System Resources.
As i suggested the first time visit a few Anti-malware sites and do some comparing of the different protection apps out there and see...