Is my memory causing my problem??

7tstang · 03-30-2007, 06:07 PM

My aunt has an old gateway astro that has 64 meg of ram and it is using 97% of it and I think it is keeping her desktop from working. Everytime I try to click on My Comp or Settings I get the Illegal operation screen, but if I go thru safe mode I dont..all runs good. Is the memory the problem? I ran a virus scan and removed some spyware.

~~Punktech~~ · 03-30-2007, 07:36 PM

Most likely it is an OS problem not memory. If it was it would act the same in the safe mode as it is the same operation. Do a deeper cleaning and collect more input about the problems the system is experiencing and post back with more info so we can chase the problem.

**Doby** · 03-30-2007, 07:57 PM

Sounds like your system resourses are low. Try using msconfig to turn some of the sartup process off.

Sart>run>type in the box msconfig and click ok.

Put a dot next to selective startup and then click on the start up tab. In the list you can turn somethings off by unchecking them.

Scan registry and system tray need to be left on (don't uncheck)
Leave checks next to anything thats related to your virus scan or firewall.

Anything that starts with KB will be a window update so leave these checked.

Just about anything else can be turned off, if you notice a problem you can always go back in and turn something on.

Click apply on the bottom, you will be prompted to reboot, do so, apon the next boot a message will appear, something like "you are running in selective start mode. this is ok just put a check in the box next to "don't show this message again"

If you are in doubt about shutting something down just google it, info on it will be avalible then decide weather to shut it down or not

Give this a try and see if it help, the Illegal operation error is caused by a program try to access memory thats all ready being used (well sort of) sometimes by turning these off frees some space up.

Its also a good idea to run scan disk and defrag

**speedster123** · 03-31-2007, 04:28 AM

Follow Doby's advice first.

Quote:

old gateway astro that has 64 meg of ram

I gather its windows 98, you need to install more ram.

7tstang · 04-14-2007, 07:28 AM

Thanks alot guys....I am going to yurn off some start up items she doesn't need and upgrade her ram.

**speedster123** · 04-15-2007, 07:08 AM

And then you can throw in a $14 stick of memory, and also increase performance.
http://www.memoryx.net/gaaspcme.html

**Doby** · 04-15-2007, 04:23 PM

An upgrade of ram would also help, check the link from speedster

03-30-2007, 06:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
7tstang Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 8 OS: windows xp	Is my memory causing my problem?? My aunt has an old gateway astro that has 64 meg of ram and it is using 97% of it and I think it is keeping her desktop from working. Everytime I try to click on My Comp or Settings I get the Illegal operation screen, but if I go thru safe mode I dont..all runs good. Is the memory the problem? I ran a virus scan and removed some spyware.

03-30-2007, 07:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
~~Punktech~~ Register user Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 113 OS: xp	Re: Is my memory causing my problem?? Most likely it is an OS problem not memory. If it was it would act the same in the safe mode as it is the same operation. Do a deeper cleaning and collect more input about the problems the system is experiencing and post back with more info so we can chase the problem.

03-30-2007, 07:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 7,072 OS: XP sp2/ Vista	Re: Is my memory causing my problem?? Sounds like your system resourses are low. Try using msconfig to turn some of the sartup process off. Sart>run>type in the box msconfig and click ok. Put a dot next to selective startup and then click on the start up tab. In the list you can turn somethings off by unchecking them. Scan registry and system tray need to be left on (don't uncheck) Leave checks next to anything thats related to your virus scan or firewall. Anything that starts with KB will be a window update so leave these checked. Just about anything else can be turned off, if you notice a problem you can always go back in and turn something on. Click apply on the bottom, you will be prompted to reboot, do so, apon the next boot a message will appear, something like "you are running in selective start mode. this is ok just put a check in the box next to "don't show this message again" If you are in doubt about shutting something down just google it, info on it will be avalible then decide weather to shut it down or not Give this a try and see if it help, the Illegal operation error is caused by a program try to access memory thats all ready being used (well sort of) sometimes by turning these off frees some space up. Its also a good idea to run scan disk and defrag __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF

04-14-2007, 07:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
7tstang Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 8 OS: windows xp	Re: Is my memory causing my problem?? Thanks alot guys....I am going to yurn off some start up items she doesn't need and upgrade her ram.

04-15-2007, 07:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York Posts: 3,866 OS: xp pro My System	Re: Is my memory causing my problem?? And then you can throw in a $14 stick of memory, and also increase performance. http://www.memoryx.net/gaaspcme.html __________________ Infection Detection and Removal Thermal Grease Instructions Bench Test

04-15-2007, 04:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 7,072 OS: XP sp2/ Vista	Re: Is my memory causing my problem?? An upgrade of ram would also help, check the link from speedster __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF