Is it OK to uncheck 'Let windows manage my memory' automatically and change anything as to how much as far as the settings go? If it's OK then I need to know what to put in to help speed up my 2GB PentiumII w/win98se running winpatrol, fix it utilities and adsubtract pro. Do not have any other programs my computer as the fix it has an anti-virus program and adsubtract blocks ads, referrers, cookies, etc. Any advice on speeding up the computer would be extremely helpful.

Here's my $0.02 worth:

- Remove unused programs from Add/Remove Programs
- Stopping programs from running at Startup: Start > Programs > Startup, remove (right-click and delete)
- Using msconfig to stop programs from loading at startup:
Start > Run, type in msconfig, click OK
If you are unsure of an item simply do a Google search for the full Startup item name and see if you can get any information. Or check here: http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php
- make sure you have all the Critical updates installed from Windows Update
- install and use SpyBot, keep it updated

Basically the key is to have the least amount of processes running from startup. Let Windows manage the RAM, I hope you have at least 128 MB, if not then upgrade to that amount.

Hi,
I also use Win98SE; which is almost the same as 98.
I like it, and don't want to switch to XP; cause some of my older applications will not run with XP.
My opinion is different than the other expert; in that, YES, use your own memory setting; called Virtual Memory.
When windows manages your virtual memory, it uses your ENTIRE hard drive for it's swap file (a file used to open and re-open files windows needs to run applications and programs). It never puts these files back in one complete file; it scatters them about in pieces all over the hard drive... which is why you must run Defrag sometimes. These pieces of files causes windows to slow down, looking for fragments all over the hard drive.

Here are my steps for Maintenance for Win98/98SE; which includes how to set your own Virtual Memory. When windows says "don't do this", click on YES to do it anyway. You will see your computer become somewhat faster.

Registry Repair should be done whenever there are problems:

To Repair the Registery:
Turn off the computer; or reboot; then immediately press F8, (or, could be F5) located on top of the keyboard. Keep it press down until an options window comes up, then release it.
(If F8 or F5 doesn't work, then re-boot, and immediately press down the CTRL key, hold down until it comes up to the options screen).
Use the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard to select "Command Prompt Only".
Press Enter
You will now see C:>
Type in SCANREG /FIX (there is a space between the G and the / ).
You will now see C:>SCANREG /FIX
Press Enter
This will take about 5 minutes or so.
When finished, press Enter for OK.
Manually, turn off the computer, wait a few seconds, the turn it back on.
If you don't have the "Command Prompt Only" option, then re-boot the computer normally.
Go to Start/ShutDown, then choose "restart in ms-dos mode".
It will come up to C:\windows.
Type in CD C:\
It will look like C:>windows CD C:\
Press Enter.
It will then be at the C:> prompt.
Then type in SCANREG /FIX
Press Enter
When it returns to the C:> prompt, then manually turn off the computer, and turn it back on.

Win98/98SE Regular Maintenance
All of these should be run whenever Win98/98SE starts giving problems. It will keep the computer running smoothly.

Before doing any of the following; turn off wallpaper and screensavers before re-starting or re-booting the computer.

Safe Mode is best where indicated, because most programs are not running meaning their files are closed, or not in use. This allows them to be scanned much better, repaired, or defragged better.

1. Scandisk
Start in Safe Mode by:
Re-boot the computer, and immediately after starting up, Press and hold down, F8, at top of keypad.
When the options show on the screen, use the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard to select
"Safe Mode".
Press Enter
After it boots to Safe Mode, go to Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools, and click on Scandisk.
(It is faster if set on "Standard", the "Thorough" usually is not needed and takes a long, long time).
Click on "Start" and let it run until finished.

2. Defrag
When Scandisk is finished, click on "Close".
Now, go back to the same place, but this time, click on "Defrag".
Click on OK, and wait until it finishes (might take 1 hour if not done within a month).
After it finishes, Click on OK or whatever.
Then, re-boot.

The following Boot Disk has to be done only one time.

Also, a "must have" is a Boot Disk, for Win98/98SE. One never knows when the computer might not load windows and go to the desktop... it does happen.

Here are steps to make one:

Insert the Win98/98SE CD in the CD-ROM drive.
Go to Start/Programs/Windows Explorer
Double click on D:/ , if that is your CD-ROM drive letter.
Find and open the folder; Tools/Mtsutil/Fat32ebd (stands for Emergency Boot Disk)
Double click on the file Fat32ebd.exe and follow the instructions to create the Boot Disk.
Then remove the CD from the CD-ROM.

Now, we must test the Boot Disk to see if it works.
Shut down the computer; then turn it back on with the Boot Disk still in the computer.
When a screen comes up, use the up and down arrows on the keyboard to select "Boot with CD-ROM support". Then press Enter.
It will show some things about the computer, and then come up to the A:> prompt.
Now, insert a CD (any will do) into the CD-ROM.
Wait until it "spins" and the light goes off.
Now, at the A:> prompt, type in DIR D:
It will now look like A:>DIR D:
It should show all the files on the CD.
If so, the Boot Disk is good. If NOT, repeat all the above.
If it's good, then remove the CD, manually turn off the computer, and remove the Boot Disk. Turn on the computer and it's ready to go.

Here are some "tweaks" for Win98/98SE that really work well.

Win98SE Tweaks for better performance
http://www.speedguide.net/read_articles.php?id=170

To extract files: here are steps:
Extract the following from c/cabs/cab53 and cab54.
(Right click on a Cab, then left click on View).
To extract a file then seen, Right click on the file,
Then Left click on Extract.
Vcomm.vxd
Vdmad.vxd
Configmg.vxd
Vdd.vxd
Vmouse.vxd
Ntkern.vxd
Vflat.vxd
Extract to:
c/windows/system; and also to:
c/windows/system/vmm32.

Win98SE USB Updates:
http://www.usbman.com/win98seusbguide.htm

Also, for Win98/98SE; any ONE of the following programs WILL, normally, cause problems:
1. Microsoft's DirectX 9.0c
2. Sun Java; any versions, such as j2re 1.4.1 or 1.4.2. (use the Tools, Internet Options, Advanced tab, under the heading "Java VM", the only check mark should be by "JIT compiler for virtual machine.....".
3. Microsoft's Internet Explorer & Outlook Express Cumulative Security Patches from Windows Update

For the Virtual Memory setting, go to Start/Settings/Control Panel/System.
Open System, and click on the Performance tab.
Then, click on the Virtual Memory button, bottom right.
Click on "Let me set my own....".
Then, in the Min and Max spaces, type in twice your RAM. For example, if you have 256 RAM, then type in 512 in both spaces.
Click on Apply, then OK.
Re-boot the computer.

I know this is a long post, but if you will print it out and save it, it's a good reference for fixing almost all problems with 98/98SE.
Best wishes,
fredg

Will give this a shot and see if computer speeds up. I do run scandisk and defrag just about every other day. Appreciate all the time you took to provide the information.

Jan

I do have 128MB on a 2GB pentium II. Just obtained an older version of AdAware to do a scan with since the newer version is not for win98. The programs can be found at: http://www.oldversion.com/ The site is a library of free older programs that are hard to find. Thx for your response.

What is your processor speed?


And yes, you will get a performance improvement (as mentioned by fredg), if you set your own swapfile ("virtual memory") settings. Generally a size of about 1.5 to 2 times your physical RAM is a good idea.

Hi Fredg, I am curious, what programs do you like so much that you use Win98se to get to keep, I might like to try them.

:)