[Ham-Computers] RE: RAM Defrag

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

Paul,

For PC's, RAM Defraging is not necessary - and for Windows, it can be
dangerous.

What you might be thinking of is a "garbage collector".  This is a util that
searches for "lost" memory fragments caused by "leaky" apps (apps that
allocate memory, but don't report it back to the memory manager when it's
done).  Each time you run and quit/exit a "leaky" app, you'll find less free
memory (or worse, system resources) available to Windows.

On relatively "unstable" operating systems like Windows 9x, it's generally
better to just reboot the system if you notice your total memory count
depleting.  Rebooting clears out everything - if you think about it, when
you reboot the OS, the amount of free memory after the system finishes it's
boot process should be more or less the same each time you boot unless
you've made a change (such as installing a new app or utility).

For "unstable", I mean as in Operating Systems that aren't really designed
to run 24x7 without a reboot.  Many non-Windows OS' can run for
weeks/months/years without a reboot.  On these systems, "garbage collectors"
are somewhat common and are run as part of preventive maintenance.  The old
Novell 3.x servers I managed had built-in garbage collection and would run
for months on end without needing a reboot due to "lost" memory.  Garbage
collection is not usually necessary on the typical desktop/laptop PC that is
rebooted every once in a while.

But, if you insist, try RAMFREE32 and RAMFREE128.  You can get it here:
  http://www.tweak3d.net/tweak/harddrive/2.shtml

There's a link to a pre-compiled version that should work for you.  I use to
use a different app, but can't find it right now.  I might have it at home -
I'll look for it.

The link above is part of a Win9x tweaking guide...use with caution!  And,
the "Aaron" mentioned on the compiled download link is not me...I gave up
compiling apps many years ago.


-----Original Message-----
From: ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of
Paulahkolik at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 4:53 PM
To: ham-computers at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Ham-Computers] RAM Defrag


Greetings to the list.

I'm looking for a freeware RAM defrag program. It doesn't have to be
anything 
fancy, just so long as I can spec at what point it automatically runs. I 
tried Google, but got too many hits to sort through, with about half of them

leading to "pay" sites.

OS is Win 98SE w/all updates.

Thanks
Paul W5PDA/4