Everest = physical memory utilization 69%

[lectrocrew]

Physical Memory
Total 254mb
used 175mb
free 79mb
utilization 69%

Is there something I can do to utilize more % of the memory?

[lectrocrew]

Also toward the bottom of that Everest memory screen =
Physical Address Extension (PAE)
supported by operating system = yes
supported by CPU = yes
Active = No

Do I need this active and if yes, how do I do it?

[Allan]

What's your OS (and that's probably where this post belongs, by the way)?

[lectrocrew]

Celeron 667mhz
Intel 82810 chipset
Windows XP home SP2
128mb x2 RAM
80gb WD IDE
10gb Seagate IDE

Sorry about placement. I figured memory would be 'Hardware'. 

[Allan]

Unlike Vista, XP will not use all available memory. But don't worry about it, XP does have a pretty good memory management scheme and will do what it needs to without your involvement.

[lectrocrew]

Okay. 'control panel > system > advanced > (performance) settings > advanced > memory usage' I have it set to use memory for best performance of "System Cache". The other option is "Programs". I really can't tell any difference between the two. What should it be set at to get more speed out of this 256mb RAM (Maximum allowed for this MB) system?

[Allan]

It should absolutely be set for "Programs"

[lectrocrew]

Done. Thanks. 

[Allan]

You're welcome. And here's a good page for you to look at when you have time: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308417

[Broni]

Total 254mb

XP runs well with at least 512MB of RAM. Even better with 1GB.

[lectrocrew]

But the PC manufacturer specs say max is 256mb. It came from the factory with 64mb in 1999. Is there anyway I can work around that 256mb limit?

[Broni]

But the PC manufacturer specs say max is 256mb

Unfortunately, you're stuck.
You can't demand too much from 10 years old computer.
Windows 2K should run fine here.

[lectrocrew]

Windows 2K should run fine here.

Is 2K still avilable to purchase a download from a legitamate source? I Googled some a couple of weeks ago when Patio suggested 2K also but I wasn't sure which site was legit and which was not.

[Broni]

http://www2.dealtime.com/xPO-Windows_2000_Professional