YOUR computer is slowing down, and filling up. Slowly but surely, imperceptibly, even. But sure enough, you're spending more time watching the hourglass, and less time getting anything done.
Is this a conspiracy to rob you of your precious time? I won't go that far!
However, I can give you an answer that will solve your problems once (and hopefully) for all time.
Your computer depends on its memory for everything it does. And when its memory is full, it either crashes, locks up, or exhibits other less than desirable behaviors.
So what can you do about it?
You can add more RAM. But this means opening the hood, fiddling with the wires, and stuff you probably aren't interested in. So we'll fix the cause of the problem as best we can, and do it for Windows 98 and Windows95.
Windows 98....
This version of Microsoft's most popular operating system comes with a special utility you can run from the command line. It is known as 'msconfig' and simply works wonders. Start this utility by clicking Start, Run. You can type the name of a program, folder, document, or even an Internet resource, and Windows will open it for you. In our case, we're going to type 'msconfig' without the single quotes.
The screen that displays has multiple tabs across the top. Click the last one on the right that says Startup. You'll see a list of programs with checked off boxes. Each one of these represents a program that Windows is loading into memory whenever you start your computer.
Uncheck anything you don't want running. In my experience, none of the items normally checked off are absolutely required. Reboot (restart) your computer to apply the change, and when Windows loads, you'll probably notice an improvement. At least your resources won't be depleted right from the start.
Finally, if you don't have at least 64 megabytes of RAM, you're always going to be limited. 128 megabytes is optimal if you run many programs at the same time.
Windows 95....
The utility 'msconfig' doesn't come with Windows 95. So what do you do? Check the Startup folder. Whatever happens to be listed there is starting whenever Windows starts.
Where is the Startup folder? Using Windows Explorer, you'll find it in along this path: C:WINDOWSStart MenuProgramsStartUp
All that means is that the Startup folder is in the Programs folder, which is in the Star Menu folder, which is in the Windows folder, which is on your C: drive, which is the root of all the folders.
If anyone says 'look in the root' you'll know they mean to look on your C: drive, without looking in any folders.
Remove any programs from the Startup folder that you don't want starting, and reboot.
I appreciate your time, and wish you the best with your computer.
WHAT WE'VE LEARNED
1. msconfig is your friend. Use it liberally and use it well. 2. Programs start themselves automatically if they're in the Startup folder (this also applies to Windows 98 as well; I just didn't mention it under that heading).
3. Removing a program from the Startup folder means it won't start when Windows boots up (starts up).
4. The root is the lowest point on the folder structure, or 'folder tree.'
5. Loading programs requires memory, and additional memory means more programs can be loaded, but only up to a point. What that point is depends on way more than this short course covers.
© 2001 Tom Glander
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