Optimal System Resources?

[SW04]

I was curious as to how low your system resources can get before causing problems. What are most of you running at when windows is first opened?

[Force Flow]

I've never heard of system resourses being *too* low to cause problems.

Are you having any problems, or is this a hypothetical question?

[SW04]

No problems. Just curious.

I have 80% free when windows is first opened. I had a tech support person from HP tell me I needed at least 80% free to install software for an all in one printer. The persons computer I was installing it on had like 35% free and it would not install.

[Force Flow]

Ok, about this person's computer with 35% free. He either needs to get more RAM and/or disable programs that load in the system tray.

[SW04]

I did this and got it up to like 78%. They had almost every program on their PC running in the background. The printer software would still not install. Not having enough RAM is what I thought it was, they only had 64MB and it was an older Compaq PC with Windows ME so I don't know how much good this will do.

[CMT]

I've always "heard" of people telling of 60% to 75% being good for startup ...I personallywas taught by my dad that more is good why have alot loading at startup??? I myself usually try for 90 to 95% at startup if I want something I just click it.. Just my opion.....

[SW04]

Do you have any programs running at startup like antivirus or CDRW software or is Windows the only thing running at this point?

[fragmyster]

in my experience you can have your system resources as low as 20% and have no real problems. but of course there are exceptions to that.

[glc]

More RAM will not help with resources - resources are operating system "heaps" which are totally different. This is no longer an issue with Win2K/XP as the OS doesn't use them, it uses physical ram. The only way to free up resources is to terminate processes that are using them.