ok this is a problem that has just started lately. it seems that something is taking up all my system resources causing my comp to crash alot. i can close all background items and it still only gets 18% free. i can't figure it out. when i restart my comp it goes back to normal but once i get on the net or something and then get off the net, my resources are being taken. i'm running an hp pavilion 600 mhz with 192 mb RAM. Could someone suggest a solution to find the problem? Thanks alot

Have you run a virus scan lately? If you shut down all the running programs using msconfig (i take it thats what you did), and you're still only getting 18% free, then something is playing with your system.

Have you installed any new programs lately. Some times some progams cause leaks and continue to use ram even after they are shut down. Had same sort of problem so I went to downloads.com and found a program that kept trak of my ram and told me if there was any programs draining ram. Can't remeber what the program was called but there was a few programs there that did the same sort of thing.

Some time ago I used to use a program called "Reclip" for remember the stuff in clipboard. This proggie ate 60-61% of my resources. All the time I was without resources. After I've eliminated it the resources have retourned home. Maybe you use a program like that. Check out!

hey thanks for all the help....i'm still having some problems with memory though. can someone recommend a program that will tell me what programs are using my resources? thanks

Try Resource Hacker from: ***********.users.on.net/johnson/resourcehacker/
a free, marvelous software.

not msconfig but ctrl+alt+del will be more helpful to shut down all the proggies that are running, besides explorer you cab shut down everything.
(ofcourse any virusscanner will be disabled, perhaps graphics viewers too, but give it a try and see what happens with yer system resources)

Thats a good idea king nero, as far as narrowing down the resource hog. Just keep in mind flyaway, that all these programs will start back up when you reboot. If you want to shut them down completely, you must use msconfig.

i got the same prob but with win me......after extensive research and most of the problem solving sites and doing everything bar a reinstall this seems like a windows problem.......basically windows uses the rescourses and just does not put it back into the system....i can start with only windows on boot up.....while browsing is ok i can get about 2 days b4 it crashes....
if i start open files/windows and coding it goes tits up within an hour.....
i hace to reboot every 2 hours on average......
the only solution i was offered by microsft was to upgrade to xp or 2000
as they are based on the win nt and do not have this prob......
its caused by putting new programs on and removing....
i gettin ready to go to 2000.......hope this helps.......