[SOLVED] System Resources Free Vs RAM Size Query

[bilnrobn]

I have just expanded my memory from 120MB to 312MB, which should do wonders for my computer's performance. However, the Resource Meter still seems to read about the same, which is usually between 50% and high 60s free for system and user, and a bit higher for GDI (whatever that is). I have read on this forum that the Resources reported don't indicate free RAM. What does it indicate and what is the difference between the two? The computer is running ok, it is just that I find this area puzzling.

 

[flavallee]

Bilnrobn:

System resources and physical RAM are 2 different things. People assume that adding more RAM will increase system resources, but this is not the case. In order to increase system resources, you need to reduce the number of programs loading during startup and running in the background. Having more RAM is a good thing because it increases overall performance and allows more programs to run simultaneously without bogging down or freezing your computer.

 

[bilnrobn]

Thanks for that Frank. Hopefully I will no longer get the freeze-ups I previously experienced fairly regularly. Could it be Windows ME isn't as bad as it is painted... as long as you give it enough RAM to work with? (A rhetorical question... no answer needed.)

 

[flavallee]

I've worked on very few Windows ME computers. I work mostly on 98/98SE computers. I haven't really run into any problems with Windows ME that I don't run into with Windows 98/98SE. Both operating systems seem to be pretty much the same to me.