Is WIN98SE slightly unhappy with > 512 MB of RAM??

[leoblob]

I think I read somewhere that WIN98SE has a subtle problem if you have more than 512 MB of RAM. I can't remember the specifics, but one of my desktop computers has WIN98SE and 1GB (1,024MB) of RAM, and it is a bit unstable. It will crash a few times per day (on a bad day) with no rhyme or reason. I am running genuine Micron PC-133 ECC SDRAM and nothing is overclocked. Any ideas if less RAM would help? I know this is pretty vague, but I hope someone has an idea or opinion.

Thanks!

[d lehmann]

win98se will do fine with more than 512. I used it in video editing machines way back when with 1 gig. There is a setting that has to be changed, so it will use it. I will try to remember and post back. I also used to run a memory manager before encoding video, only because because of sloppy programming, some progs don't release memory when closing.

[jdhurst]

Windows 98 is a DOS system and has backward, obsolete and pretty much useless memory management, so don't expect too much. You need Windows 2000 or better to have decent memory management.
... JD Hurst

[Admiral]

The problem lies with VCACHE. It can consume to much of a specific area utilised by various processes and thus the system hangs etc. The solution is to restrict VCACHE in the SYSTEM.INI file. Under the [vcache] section you need the line:
MaxFileCache=512000

[leoblob]

The problem lies with VCACHE. It can consume to much of a specific area utilised by various processes and thus the system hangs etc. The solution is to restrict VCACHE in the SYSTEM.INI file. Under the [vcache] section you need the line:
MaxFileCache=512000

If I put in this line, will this make the O/S good for 512MB, or will it make it good for > 512MB?

And yes, I know that WIN98SE is a bit long in the tooth. I think the fact that it's DOS-based is why I'm comfortable with it!

[d lehmann]

leoblob

Win98se can use up to 2 gig of ram if the mb and bios support it.
Admiral is correct in changing the vcache size. The line I use is:
MaxFileCache=524288
In addition do this:
run Sysedit.
open the System.ini tab.
scroll down to the [386 Enh] group
on the first open line at the botton of the group, type in this command exactly as I have typed it here:

ConservativeSwapfileUsage=1

Save the file and reboot.

Win98se has several other problems including the use of acpi if your bios supports it.
Here is a site that has an undocumented service pack for 98 and a lot of useful links. They all work well.

Image your drive beforehand just in case.


http://exuberant.ms11.net/98sesp.html

BTW, if you like win98se and it supports all the hardware you use, there is nothing wrong with using it forever. It can be a reliable os with the correct setup. I know lots of people that still use dos 6.3 and it suits their needs adequately. The latest and greatest os isn't a must.

[leoblob]

Thanks for all the great info. I understand how to make the changes suggested. The particular computer I'm having problems with has had so many changes to it during the past 12 months, that I am going to re-install WIN98SE onto a blank formatted hard drive. I am considering simply using 512MB of RAM, as I suspect that would meet my needs.

And I agree about continuing to use an older O/S if it still does the job for you. The problem is, newer devices or software that don't work with an older O/S. WIN98SE is still "supported" in this sense, but at some point, it won't be.

Ironically, my wife uses PC-DOS 6.3 on her Thinkpad (360). She is a court reporter and her specialized software is written in DOS. But she uses another machine with WIN98SE to go on the Internet (try and find a browser and/or e-mail program that runs in DOS )