Windows 98SE RAM Usage

[MurphmanL]

On a computer running 1GB of Ram, is there a way to make windows 98SE take advantage of that RAM? I believe Microsoft posted an article about it, I followed that info and still no avail... using 1GB means that I experience choppy and slow DivX Playback in the DIVX player, and also extremely slow and unlplayable performance in games like Generals, is there a way to make 98SE use all my RAM?

[mike_w]

When I used 98 on my old PC (800MHz, 256 SDRAM), it ran DivX fine, but can't say about the games - been using 2000 for ages now.

Having more memory shouldn't cause a problem, it just doesn't use all of it.

[Allen]

Windows can't handle more than 512MB iirc... Dunno if more memory would cause a problem though.

[Twigman]

I have a machine with 512 on windows 98SE (which im using right now!).
I think 512 is the max, but Divx isnt slow on mine (1100Mhz).
You probably need a faster processor really...

[directhex]

windows 98 slows down when you have over 256mb of ram in most scenarios, and cannot address over 512mb

well strictly speaking it's still just an MSDOS front end, and shouldn't be using more than 640K

if you want to use more than an MSDOS' worth of RAM, use a real 32bit OS like something NT based (2000, XP, 2003)

[joshwa]

when i used to use win98, there was a program called memory manager or turbo memory - which seemed to do a good job . i don't know whether there might be some kind of add-on tool to win98 which would let you use your ram properly?

[Ravens Nest]

Cacheman has settings for users with more than 512MB ram and Windows 95/98/SE/ME
http://www.outertech.com/index.php?m...mageField.y=10

[MurphmanL]

So this program will be able to make win 98SE or ME speed up by using my 1GB of RAM?

[Ravens Nest]

It has settings to allow you use your 1gb of ram without causing instability with your O\S.

I dont think 98se and ME are designed to use more than 512mb of ram

What cacheman does is optimize your operating system to use as much of the ram as possible before switching to HD i.e. virtual memory (Which is a lot slower) so in theory it should increase speed.

But it wont allow you to use more than 512 ram, you'll need to upgrade to 2000/xp for that, perhaps it's time for that upgrade..

Still cacheman is a really good program, give it a try anyway and if it does not help or makes it worse (very unlikely!) it saves the settings your PC was at before it was installed and you can load it back to defaults.

Go on install it you know it makes sense

[Zak33]

I know I am the least techy bloke here.....but sod it..I'm gonna stick my neck out....

Win 98SE can see up to 768 mb......it did on my old PC...I had lots of mem combos back when silicon was cheap....I brough a lot from Crucial.....and the 512 in one slot and 256 in the other slot worked fine...but no more was ever seen...so 2x512 still showed as 768.

In Gaming it did slow it down ....512 was far better....

Which is a shame

[Ravens Nest]

Yeah you're right Zak33, it can see up to 768 ram, there does not seem to be a way of getting it to use more

Cacheman is good at getting the most out of your memory, and reduces instability with more than 512..

I myself know a lot about PC's but my brain does not store or remember stuff that well though when you said it can see 768 i remembered that it can

[Rabs]

Try this pal:

http://jerseyd.com/ninetyeighttweaks.htm

just found it while browsing...

[Jonny M]

windows 98 slows down when you have over 256mb of ram in most scenarios, and cannot address over 512mb

well strictly speaking it's still just an MSDOS front end, and shouldn't be using more than 640K

if you want to use more than an MSDOS' worth of RAM, use a real 32bit OS like something NT based (2000, XP, 2003)

Does NT 4.0 Server / Workstation count as 32 bit?

[directhex]

yes. yes it does. windows nt 3.1 and above are proper 32bit operating systems

[MurphmanL]

Very nice discovery there, Rabs. Do u think ur solution will allow me to use 1GB and then speed up DIVX video playback and gaming performance?? Could u do me a big favour and explain how to add those entries into MSCONFIG? Cheers, its much appreciated!