(not responding)

[BigMark]

I'm having some issues with programs freezing on me. When this happens, all I can do is STL+ALT+DEL, and when that pops up which title is frozen says (not repsonding). When I end task, it takes a few seconds, and I get a promt asking me if I want to "Wait, end tast, or cancel" I hit end task, the thing closes, and all is well.

My question is, is this symptomatic of not enough memory (I've got 196 MB) or a software issue or what?

 

[cltbuilder]

Windows is tired. It needs a break. I have found that after about a year of loading and unloading programs, it gets to be a little testy. I haven't found a good fix for this either except reformating. Some advice would be a godsend.

It's been about a year.......

 

[PantherMills]

Hey BigMark. I get those warnings occasionally, and it's really a problem with Windows multitasking capabilities(or lack thereof). They apparrently fixed this with later versions of Windows (mainly with XP)It is probably happening to you when you have several windows or programs open at once and I'm guessing you're running a version of Windows prior to XP. More memory will not eliminate this, but will greatly reduce the frequency of it happening, as well as make your computer feel like it is running faster.
hope this helps.

 

[Savio]

Which OS are you running?

If that happens again open a new explorer window...


just go to "new" and type in "explorer.exe"

 

[BigMark]

Right on the money PMills. I'm running Win 98Se and it usually happens when I'm trying to do a couple things. So will updating to XP help?

Savio, when it happens, I can't open another window, the whole thing locks up until I end that task.

 

[PantherMills]

Originally posted by BigMark
Right on the money PMills. I'm running Win 98Se and it usually happens when I'm trying to do a couple things. So will updating to XP help?

Savio, when it happens, I can't open another window, the whole thing locks up until I end that task.

I wouldn't reccommend it, yet. Although it will fix your current problem, alot of the older programs you would like to transfer just plain won't work on XP.
Since memory is relatively cheap these days, boost it up to about 256mb (I know some posters who run a gig or more), defrag your computer at least once a month and backup your stuff, you should be good to go.

One other thing,
XP resides in about 128 MB of memory, so to be satisfied with XP's performance, you'd have to buy more memory anyway, so why not try the memory with 98SE first?
If, after the memory upgrade, you're not satisfied with it, you can then give XP a shot. Let us know how it works out.

 

[BigMark]

I just added a 128 chip about 2 weeks ago, and was planning on getting around to adding another one one of these days, I have noticed it happens less frequently, but I've started running a more advanced program (ULead VideoStudio 5.0) and it's locking up about every other time I use it.

 

[mathmajors]

Usually application lock ups are a result of the application, not the OS - especially when you've got all that memory. Sounds like ULead VideoStudio 5.0 has problems.

Is that the only app having lock up problems?

 

[VOR]

Mark

I found using ram idle and making big cache sizes helps, and defraging a lot. what happens is windows uses your empty disk space to swap ram and if you get a lot of small swaps with multiple programs then it goes bonkers trying to follow around where everything is. Ram idle solved a lot of that.