[Ham-Computers] RE: "Run-A-Way" swap file

Mon, 3 Nov 2003 16:39:43 -0800

Hi Phil,

Sounds more like some program you're running has a memory "leak".  This
occurs when a program allocates memory, but doesn't properly "return" it to
the memory pool.  This occurs more often than not as many development tools
themselves were/are buggy (with leaks) and any program written with that
particular tool will exhibit the "leak".  Windows 95 memory manager is quite
"leaky".  Win98 is a bit better.  Even NT based systems aren't immune
(NT/2K/XP).

If you're running Win98 (which it sounds like you are), then you have more
than enough RAM for most purposes.  16MB absolute minimum, 32MB suggested,
64MB recommended, 128MB "sweet spot".  Don't go beyond 320MB in Win98 as
there are some bugs that manifest themselves once physical RAM goes beyond
320MB.  Once you have 128MB or more of RAM in Win98, then your best bet is
to set a permanent page file of 64MB.  There are also some other "tweaks" to
optimize how Win98 utilizes memory.  With 256MB RAM, you should never see
your pagefile get past 64MB unless you a) have a program that some SERIOUS
memory requirements, or b) have a "leaky" or buggy program.  On my Win98
systems, I have 256MB RAM with a 64MB permanent swapfile and the swapfile
utilization rarely ever gets beyond 10MB even with memory hungry apps.

Always remember that Win9x is still running "on top" of an older core (DOS).
Thus, there are some things that are still limited to the "base" 1MB limit
of Intel CPU's "real mode".  Many internal pointers used by Win9x must stay
under the 1MB boundary.  As such, you can install an infinte amount of
memory in the system and still get "out of memory" errors - been there, done
that.  The best thing to do is to "tweak" Win9x's memory management as much
as possible to get the most benefit out of installed memory.

If you'd like more details on how to setup the 64MB swapfile or the other
tweaks, let me know.

73,

  - Aaron Hsu, NN6O (ex-KD6DAE)
    {nn6o}@arrl.net
    {athsu}@unistudios.com
    No-QRO Int'l #1,000,006
    . -..- - .-. .-   ".... . .- ...- -.--"

-----Original Message-----
From: Philip Atchley [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2003 4:08 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Ham-Computers] "Run-A-Way" swap file

Hi.
For some months now my computer has on occasion been experiencing what I can
only describe as "run-a-way swap file" (386.swp).  This doesn't happen ALL
the time but when it does it's very frustrating as I'll get an "Out of
memory" message and whatever program I'm running bombs out.  HOWEVER!  I
don't have to be running a program for this to occur as it has also occurred
on some occasions when the computer was sitting idle with no "programs"
running (just the normal background stuff).  At first I thought it was my
virus scanner (Avast!) creating this swap file as it sometimes but not
always occurred when it was doing the automatic hard drive scans.  So, I
removed the Avast Anti-virus program and went back to AVG which I'd used
previously.  It made no difference.  Reinstalled Avast!

Sometimes the computer runs for days with no problem then all of a sudden it
"acts up"  The drive has been scanned and rescanned with virus scanners
which have turned up no known viruses.

Here are the specifics of the computer and operating system.

Computer:
600 MHz Intel Pentium III, 256 MB RAM, 4.2GB SCSI drive with 1.5GB "free".
GeForce Video card with 64MB Video Ram.

Operating system and installed software:
1. Win98SE with all updates, MS .NET Framework 1.1, I.E. 6, O.E. 6.
2. MS Office 2002.
3. Avast! Antivirus program.
4. Rain 2.0 (CPU cooler software)
5. Many various Radio Logging programs and databases.  A new logging program
was installed just a few days ago but this problem precedes that
installation.

NOTE:  I normally have 1.5GB of hard drive empty, even when running several
programs.  However, when the swap file "runs away" this is quickly totally
filled up.  I DID try manually setting the swap file to 800MB but all this
accomplished was to cause the computer to give the "Out of memory" message
more often.

HELP!

73 from the "Beaconeers Lair".
Phil, KO6BB

In daily combat with QRM & QRN.
We may lose a battle but we'll win the war!
[email protected]
Merced, Central California
37.18N  120.29W  CM97sh

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