Aged Cyber Aunt
How to: Frozen PC
I had this query from a friend: “My computer is freezing up
at every opportunity. I checked memory status. It says physical
memory 64MB, available memory 400KB, virtual memory 4GB, used .5GB
so there is very little on hard disc but how do you free up the
operating side? Any ideas would be gratefully received we have
deleted all temporary, internet files recycled bin etc but no
difference”.
Dear Friend, It happens to us too! Your memory
status does look very low. Does it say that immediately after
you've started the PC?
There are some things you can try. This advice is
based on Windows 98 ME but the other operating systems 98SE and 98 are the same in
principle. Sometimes when you come out of a program bits are left
behind, no sign left on the taskbar, but if you press Cntl-Alt-Del,
you get a list of what is still there and can get rid of the ones
that have not left properly.
Although in spite of this there
still may be bits left around, and I've not yet found out how to
get rid of them.
When you install a new program, often part is
included in 'startup', and often quite unnecessarily as the same programs are available from Start - Programs - etc.
First thing to
check is the 'Startup' Group. Go to the bottom bar, to the left of
the system tray and right click, in a blank area. When panel comes
up, left click 'properties', click 'advanced' tab, click 'advanced'
box, and up comes an explorer type screen, with 'programs'. Click
on the “+” sign to expand the list, and click on
“Startup”.
If there are things there that you only
rarely use, move them by dragging them to 'Disabled Startup
Items' Then close the whole panel. I only have 'MS Office Shortcut
bar' and 'Worldtime' which is not necessary, but I like it as it
plays Westminster chimes every quarter hour!
I also use that method
of moving programs into groups, such as Utilities.
Before you start the
next bit, look at the system tray, the one at bottom right of
screen, with the loudspeaker and other icons. Run the mouse pointer
over them and see what they say. Gives you an idea what is loading,
and you can decide what is not immediately necessary. Many programs
put themselves in the ‘system Tray’ on installation,
which is not necessary and carries an overhead by using some
memory. 'Real' and some of the graphics programs are guilty in this
respect.
Next, Go to Start, Run, and up comes a panel with a
blank space to type in. Type in 'msconfig', click OK, and up comes
another panel, with a number of tabs - (if you have used 'msconfig'
before use the arrow to find it). Maximise the panel so you can see
the list of files accessed on the right hand side. One of the tabs
is labelled 'Startup', click it, and there are all the programs
loaded at startup in order to make them load quicker. That may be
so, but they can slow down the system, because they all take up
space. Windows only needs 'systray' and explorer'. Leave the
anti virus and firewall there if you have them. But you do not need
'real' which is an audio player, and a great one for getting in the
startup group. Also some of the graphics programs. Untick the less
necessary programs, click OK, and restart the PC. Sometimes you
have to unclick more than one box to get rid of a program at
startup.
Check after restarting. If you can't work out by the
placing of the files or their names whether they are a vital part
of windows, or an unnecessary drain, go online and use 'Google'
search engine, and type in the file name, this will most likely
give you the answer!
Another thing is don't have too many icons on
the desktop, as apparently they take up memory too. If all this
does not work, remember which programs have a problem, and either
restart the machine before using, or restart immediately after. Also go to the Microsoft archives at htt://support.microsoft.com
for more information. Hope this helps.
Updated 29 March 2004