Computer Question - Memory Use

Major · 02-19-2002, 11:32 AM

OK, does anyone know on Windows ME (or 98) how to check what exactly is using all your memory? I have a serious problem that memory slowly disappears on my machine and after several hours, things just stop working and I have to reset it. I know it's a memory problem because, while some programs crash, others are kind enough to say "not enough memory to perform this" or whatever.

Also, separate question when you hit CTRL-ALT-DEL to bring up the little box with all your active programs, is there a way to find out what program created those things? I have a lot of things in that box that I have no clue what they are or why they are running, and they seem quite odd. For example, I know have three separate instances of "Upd" which could be Update software for any number of things, but I have no idea how to find out what is launching it.

Thanks for any answers

boomboom · 02-19-2002, 11:44 AM

Here's a link to a Shareware program that will allow you to check out your memory usage...

http://www.tucows.com/system/preview/208924.html

As for the Ctl-Alt-Del list of programs that are running...check your Start Up folder and see what is designated to automatically start up when Windows first boots up. Usually, MS Office drops a couple of things in there that I always delete immediately upon receiving a new computer. Other programs that were installed will also drop things in there.

Another thing to do to free up memory is close down the quick links in your system tray (icons next to the clock in the lower right hand corner). Most of the time, you can right-click on those icons and go into their properties and set them to not automatically load on boot up (Real Player is a great example of this).

Good luck...hope this helps.

Major · 02-19-2002, 11:48 AM

Thanks for that link -- I'll go download that now. I've already done the startup thing and the system tray thing. Unfortunately, there's still lots of crap in there. Fun things like "hidserv" (hidden server?) are always nice (I close that one every time I start up the computer).

boomboom · 02-19-2002, 11:58 AM

Here's a MS link for the hidserv.exe file that you are seeing...

http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/tech/input/audctrl.asp

rockHEAD · 02-19-2002, 12:02 PM

great post... i use a program called StartCop and it monitors what starts up on your system and gives you oppurtunity to change it.

x34 · 02-19-2002, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by boomboom
As for the Ctl-Alt-Del list of programs that are running...check your Start Up folder and see what is designated to automatically start up when Windows first boots up. Usually, MS Office drops a couple of things in there that I always delete immediately upon receiving a new computer. Other programs that were installed will also drop things in there.

Good points; I do this too.

Keep in mind that some proggies are a little trickier in the manner that they lauch themselves at startup. Sometimes they don't insert an shortcut in the startup folder, but rather with a registry entry. I don't use 9x much, but I do believe you can run "MSCONFIG" and see whats initializing in the background...

It's a good idea to make sure you're running anti-virus software and that its up to date too...

x34

Major · 02-19-2002, 12:16 PM

Here's a MS link for the hidserv.exe file that you are seeing...

Oh well, it sounded threatening

Thanks!!

DAROckets · 02-19-2002, 12:33 PM

I use, Advanced Start up Manager.Very nice program.

ADVANCED START UP MANAGER