how to see which programs are hogging resources

[erucader]

So I've just built a new computer (specs in sig), with everything freshly installed but it's not running well. I am having problems that I would expect from not having enough memory - slowing down, pausing during music/movies, freezing - and that sort of thing. I know that windows 2000 has a task monitor that shows how much resources running processes are using ... Is there anything like this for 98?

[erucader]

Ok this is a screenshot of the windows 98 system monitor with nothing running. Ctl-Alt-Del displays explorer ONLY. Shouldn't there be way more free ram??? What could be using it?

[galaxian]

The graph shows you have 150MBs of free memory. Why would you want to create more? Ram is there to be used. The goal should be to have zero available!!

BTW If you really have nothing running, what's taking up all those CPU cycles???(processor usage). THAT is where your problem is!

Run MSCONFIG to UNselect startup apps
or
run MSINFO32 to see all that is active

[erucader]

you're joking, right?
I have 512MB - shouldn't there be a lot more free than just 150?

the cpu cycles were from when I was opening programs - still, I don't know why they're used so much

To see how much this doesn't make sense, now look at this screenshot.
With startup apps running, plus IE and MSN, I have more free ram. As soon as I open any media player the available resources start to fall...

[galaxian]

Windows uses as much free ram as required for the file cache (vcache). Opening Media Player will open a Media file, and windows will bring the entire contents of that file (if possible) into RAM. And, it will keep it there until it has a better use for the memory.

Windows does not need free ram in order to run and ram is there to be used.

If you are having performance issues it it NOT because you do not have enough free ram.

[Cricket]

Have you scanned for viruses, spyware and trojans?

:) Cricket

[erucader]

For viruses I have PC-cillan, which came with my mobo disk. Adaware comes up clean, with no suspicious processes running or anything. How could I check for trojans? Just monitor ports right?

[andyms18a]

when did you last defrag your hard disk drive ?
and clean out your junk folders ?
and clean your registry ?

[erucader]

Hey man I built this computer like 4 days ago. The hard drive isn't completely new so I was thinking of defragging. Are there any other similar tools?

[andyms18a]

if the hdd hade stuff on it be for then a defrag is the first thing to do use windows defrag for now all so open device manager and find the ide controla entry select each one right click and go to propties look for a entry about DMA and see what it says and post back. all so as the computers new i take it you installald the latest vid and sound drivers but have you allso instaled the latest direct x as that can cause the problams your haveing i allways reinstall direct x every time i update a vid or sound driver as the new drivers can corupt it

[erucader]

1 where do i find info about dma

2 where can i get directx

[andyms18a]

direct x full down load from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=A6DEE0DB-DCCE-43EA-87BB-7C7E1FD1EAA2&displaylang=en

DMA info from http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;258757
post back with results
(windows we open the curtains for you) god i love computers if my car gave me half as many problams as my computers id send it back and get a push bike

[erucader]

ok i got dx, but i must be really slow with this dma thing. that article just says that it should come with win98, so what am i looking for?

[andyms18a]

in device manager you need to look for the ide controllers entrey expand it by clicking the + by the side of it then right click on the primary ide channel and select properties look for a tab that says settings or advanced settings click on it and see if dma is ticked or it says dma moad and a number do the same with the secondary chanall and post back

[erucader]

ok is this for windows 98? Device manager is the thing when I right click on the My Comp icon and select properties right? There is no entry for ide controllers there, its called hard disk cont... then there is no settings tab.

[andyms18a]

have you instaled your mother board chipset drivers from the cd that came with your mother board if not that will efect proformance as windows will just load defult slower drivers

[erucader]

I'm pretty sure I did that ... how much of a difference in performence will all of this make?

[racerbrownn]

to help ferret out driver issues and such, in system properties [where you found device manager], open the performance tab top right and see if the bottom description says you pc is configured for optimal performance or the dreaded msdos page compatibility mode. also check to make sure the ram is listed properly there.