Serious Problem with my PC (system resources)

okay I've been having major problem's with system resources. Just a few minutes ago I got a message saying, Windows is dangerously low on system resources. When I restarted I checked the resources again and it was on 74% - straight after a restart! It used to be around 90%.
I've tried NOT letting windows manage my virtual memory and specifying it myself, but that didn't help. I'm currently using 256meg ram, I usually have 512meg, but that shouldn't make much of a difference.

What's going on???
Help me!

[ 07-21-2002, 10:33 AM: Message edited by: Deathbringer ]

[Lady Avalon]

What programs are running in your taskbar? If you try closing some of these, your resources will definitely go up.

Originally posted by Lady Avalon: What programs are running in your taskbar? If you try closing some of these, your resources will definitely go up.

I've only got 3.. winamp, msn and vet. (plus sound and display)

[ 07-21-2002, 08:46 AM: Message edited by: Deathbringer ]

[skywalker]

I assume you are using Win98 or ME.

An Experiment

Click: Start
Click: Run
Type: msconfig and click OK

This brings you to the System Configuration Utility.

On the first page click the circle next to Selective Startup.
Beneath that clear the box near Load Startup Group Items.
Next restart your PC.

Check your resources and see if you still get the error messages.

Mark

Originally posted by skywalker: I assume you are using Win98 or ME. An Experiment Click: Start Click: Run Type: msconfig and click OK This brings you to the System Configuration Utility. On the first page click the circle next to Selective Startup. Beneath that clear the box near Load Startup Group Items. Next restart your PC. Check your resources and see if you still get the error messages. Mark

Wow!!! my system resources went up to 94%!, but I no longer have anything in my taskbar.. I had a virus checker on there, does this mean it is now not running?

*edit* Plus I no longer have a sound controller or a display thing

[ 07-21-2002, 10:05 AM: Message edited by: Deathbringer ]

[adam warlock]

I'm bumping this because this is my concern also .... I'm still under debate whether to start my computer system all over again but don't really want to because it will take me about a week to back up my files.

[skywalker]

Yes your virus checker is not working. That's why I said it was a test. You can start your virus checker manually.

Now go back into the System Configuration Utility and click the circle next to Normal Startup.

Choose the Startup Tab and you'll be able to keep programs from starting up on startup.

Is there anything in Start/Programs/Startup?

Mark

[skywalker]

Now when you are in the System Configuration Utility, click the Startup Tab.

This a list of all the programs that are set to start each time you enter Windows.

There is a check box next to each entry, unchecking a box will stop the program from running (doing so will not remove the line from the list, so you don't need to worry about losing a progam you might need).

In my list I unchecked:
AIM
Reminder (Microsoft Money Bill Reminder)
RealTray (RealPlayer)
QuickTimeTask
TaskMonitor (I don't run tasks on my PC)

I boot with 92% resources free.

Mark

[adam warlock]

*prints this out* this is useful information thank you

[skywalker]

Originally posted by adam warlock: *prints this out* this is useful information thank you

You've been having resource problems lately, Adam?

Mark