PCMech Forums - View Single Post - Warning 0 % FREE RAM ....?( help please )

GaryRouth · 12-05-2004, 02:46 AM

. . . lots of good tips for you to check. A few more things:

1) Sounds like your purchase was fairly recent: if the software was already installed, be sure to up your antivirus scan to "thorough" and to "scan within archives" and try a full system scan (to make sure there aren't any infections leftover from the previous owner). Try double-checking with a visit to an online scan website, too. I like to recommend HouseCall - http://housecall.trendmicro.com

2) Since you are familiar with Everest (formerly Aida32), you should be familiar with your make/model motherboard, chipset info, and whatever Everest detected for your system memory capabilities. If you decide to purchase a little bit more memory [you might be surprised at how well Win98se does with a little more headroom (like rjfvillarosa and glc mentioned)], you might find the best bang-for-your-buck with a single 128mb module = but you'll have to check a manual for your motherboard to see what the maximum module for each slot is, as well as the maximum total system memory (Google usually will find one if you have an ID of any sort from the Everest screens). Of course, make sure to match the timings. If slots are limited, you may have to sacrifice your smallest module to make room for a newer larger module (but it might be worth it).

3) I'm not familiar with the "Chris...soft ware cleaner" item in your list. What exactly is this process?

4) Firewall safety.... like rjfvillarosa mentions, it can be difficult to run a lot of programs (at the same time) on a Win9x machine --- and some firewalls can slow system performance noticeably. If you connect to the Internet from an always-on cable/dsl/satellite provider, make sure that the equipment they provided includes a hardware firewall [that's an easy question for their techs - they'll be happy to let you know]. If so, you might be able to do without Zone Alarm. If not, you can either try purchasing a router that has a robust firewall built-in (most recent models do, and simple wired routers can be had for $20 USD), or you can try adding a little memory and keeping Zone Alarm. My preference is to be able to run both a hardware and a software firewall [mostly because the varieties of trojans and worms have increased lately, and some have been all-too-successful at spreading].

5) If your Norton is a recent version, it's true that AVG would be easier for your system to run (it's less demanding as far as hardware requirements).

6) Make sure to visit Windows Update, if you haven't recently, in case the previous owner didn't keep the computer up-to-date with the latest Security Updates.

7) Enjoy your new computer.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

12-05-2004, 02:46 AM	#10
GaryRouth Member (12 bit) Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Woodland Hills, CA (suburb of Los Angeles) Posts: 4,014	. . . lots of good tips for you to check. A few more things: 1) Sounds like your purchase was fairly recent: if the software was already installed, be sure to up your antivirus scan to "thorough" and to "scan within archives" and try a full system scan (to make sure there aren't any infections leftover from the previous owner). Try double-checking with a visit to an online scan website, too. I like to recommend HouseCall - http://housecall.trendmicro.com 2) Since you are familiar with Everest (formerly Aida32), you should be familiar with your make/model motherboard, chipset info, and whatever Everest detected for your system memory capabilities. If you decide to purchase a little bit more memory [you might be surprised at how well Win98se does with a little more headroom (like rjfvillarosa and glc mentioned)], you might find the best bang-for-your-buck with a single 128mb module = but you'll have to check a manual for your motherboard to see what the maximum module for each slot is, as well as the maximum total system memory (Google usually will find one if you have an ID of any sort from the Everest screens). Of course, make sure to match the timings. If slots are limited, you may have to sacrifice your smallest module to make room for a newer larger module (but it might be worth it). 3) I'm not familiar with the "Chris...soft ware cleaner" item in your list. What exactly is this process? 4) Firewall safety.... like rjfvillarosa mentions, it can be difficult to run a lot of programs (at the same time) on a Win9x machine --- and some firewalls can slow system performance noticeably. If you connect to the Internet from an always-on cable/dsl/satellite provider, make sure that the equipment they provided includes a hardware firewall [that's an easy question for their techs - they'll be happy to let you know]. If so, you might be able to do without Zone Alarm. If not, you can either try purchasing a router that has a robust firewall built-in (most recent models do, and simple wired routers can be had for $20 USD), or you can try adding a little memory and keeping Zone Alarm. My preference is to be able to run both a hardware and a software firewall [mostly because the varieties of trojans and worms have increased lately, and some have been all-too-successful at spreading]. 5) If your Norton is a recent version, it's true that AVG would be easier for your system to run (it's less demanding as far as hardware requirements). 6) Make sure to visit Windows Update, if you haven't recently, in case the previous owner didn't keep the computer up-to-date with the latest Security Updates. 7) Enjoy your new computer. Best of luck . . . Gary Last edited by GaryRouth; 12-05-2004 at 02:50 AM.