free ram vs.virtual memory**rndal error**

[makko]

hi ,
i have a problem.
My machine is a 200mmx with 96mb ram. The last weeks ive been using cacheman 5.0. Rigt now it says i have 0,1 mb of free ram, and vm usage at 118 mbyte!!!!!

according to cache man : im using 120mb out of 781 virtual mem.
my current disk cache is 5.4mb

win settings are mindiskcache :2048kb
maxdiskcache : 16384
chunksize 512kb

well, theres the lowdown. I would apreciate an help tp speed things up. Im going to buy a second hd (current 1.96gb) and im looking for more ram. But i still dont know what sort of ram would work.
EDO ram is too expensive, and the machine limit is 196mb of ram.

Because im on a network, i have programs like norton antivirus, firewall and trojan detector running in the background.

What is best, higher free ram, or higher virtual memory?

regards
M

[BertImmenschuh]

Do you know what motherboard/chipset and operating system you are using? Important to know as some motherboards/chipsets would only cache 64MB when running Windows 95. Unless the board has 4MB soldered onto it, your maximum memory is 192MB, units of 32 or 64 per module. How many memory sockets and what type, SIMM or DIMM? You may have 4 or 6 SIMM sockets, usually white, or 2 or 3 DIMM sockets, usually white. The SIMMs have to be installed in pairs and the DIMMs are used in 1, 2, or 3 sockets. Based on 192MB you will have the 6 SIMM sockets and/or 3 DIMM sockets. The 200MHz CPU is a 66MHz bus and if using DIMMs will need PC66 memory. If using SIMMs, you have a choice of FPM (Fast Page Mode) or EDO (Extended Data Output) memory. The EDO is the faster of the 2.

[makko]

02/10/98
Award Modular BIOS v4.51PG
Intel Triton 430TX rev 1

memory controller:
supported/current memory interleave 1 way/1way
6 memory slots
max. installable memory ......192MB
MAXIMUM MODULE SIZE 32MB
supported STD/FPM/(B)EDO speeds 70ns, 60ns
supported SDRAM speeds PC66,PC100
supported memory types STD;FPM;EDO;SDRAM

Physical/BIOS memory banks
AO (RASL-0 RASL-1) 32MB EDO Singlebank
A1---------------------//----------------------------
A2(RASL2 RASL-3) 16MB EDO singlebank
A3---------------------//---------------------------

A4 and A5 are empty ( can i have here two 32MB SDRAM ( my bus speed is 66mhz, but its difficult to find sdram pc66)

Bus(es) ISA PCI USB SMBus/i2c
L2 external cache 512kb pipeline burst write back

Front side bus speed 1*66Mhz (66mhz Data rate)

Logical/chipset memory banks:
Bank 1 setting 64MB EDO 7-3-3-3r-6-3-3-3w (??)
Bank 3 setting 32MB EDO ----------//-----------

****IS THIS THE ANSWER*** (what does the numbers behind mean, and what with the other two memory slots that are left.

PCI BUS 2.10
bus speed 33Mhz


can i use DMA on my harddisk?:
ACPI PM Support yes
random number generator support:NO
speed multiplier 1/4**
bus speed : 8Mhz
DMA multiplier 1/2*
DMA speed 4Mhz


And last
total system memory: 228MB
free system memory 114mb
total physical memory 96mb
freephysical memory 1876kb
maximum page file 786mb
current page file 132 mb

EXtended memory information
True allocated memory load 200%
Total windows base memory 640 kb
free windows base memory 465kb , 73%
largest free base memory block 251kb , 39%

Well, thats about the information i can think of.
I hope somebody understand it more than me...
(all info gathered with sisoftware sandra pro)

regards
M
--------------------
Input is very welcome

[makko]

By the way, win98SE

[BertImmenschuh]

It appears that you should be able to add 2 more SIMMs. You say EDO is too expensive but you have only 2 choices, EDO or FPM. FPM is slower so if you add in FPM, you will slow down the computer, not speed it up. The memory operates only as fast as the slowest part. Also, I have seen some boards that would not allow a mix of EDO/FPM. You could use either type but not both together.

You need to look at the message box that comes up after the POST finds all the drives and in that box it will tell you the type of memory and what slots it is in, bottom right. EDO was pretty much the last type of production for the SIMMs. For assured operation, it is best to not mix types.

As to the ATA/UltraDMA66 hard drive, first the drive has to support it, then the motherboard has to support it, and you have to have the proper cable. An ATA66 and an ATA33 on the same cable will cause both to operate at 33.

[makko]

hi, thanks for the input.
im thinking of buying a used Quantum Fireball ST 4.3gb. (To be on the safe side)

When it comes to EDO ram, the price for used ones are 2x32 MB EDO-RAM 72 pins are around 42$ a piece! (in norway)
Was hoping i could use 32mbsdram for1/4 of the price. But its probably not worth it.

Thanks
-----------------------------

M

[BertImmenschuh]

The DIMMs are much cheaper than the SIMMs because that's what the new boards require. 3 years ago a 5.25" floppy drive could be had for $29, last year I saw 1 advertised at $129. No one uses them any more so there is no reason to produce them and demand drives up the prices of the ones still in the supply channels.

If your board can accept DIMMs, you may be better off changing over and finding a place to sell your SIMMs.

It is hard to say what is the best way to go since here in USA, HP computers are $898 in a large chain discount store and Dell is $799 to $999 by phone or Internet.

[report_2]

http://venus.spaceports.com/~canada/webhq/bios.html
Go there to download CTBIOS (English version) it is a small program to identify your BIOS info. It will ususally provide a web address for your motherboard.
Go to their site to determine what you can upgrade to with your existing board. Look for manuals on their site.

If the maker no longer supports your board then go to www.google.com, type in your motherboard name and the word manual like this 'm6tba manual' without the quotes. When Google returns the results click on the "cached" link.

[makko]

thanks for the posting, got a lot of reding i see.

M.