Widows '98 Maximum Memory

I have a Windows '98 (first edition) system. The original 6.4 GB hard drive went out recently and I replaced it with a new 160GB one. I had previously upgraded the ram to 256mb. I believe the system is somewhat slower with this bigger hard drive and was wondering if more ram would help and, if so, what is the max I could go. I know that new computers are quite cheap but I am waiting for Vista before I buy a new setup.

 

>> I have a Windows '98 (first edition) system. The original 6.4 GB hard drive went out recently and I replaced it with a new 160GB one. I had previously upgraded the ram to 256mb. I believe the system is somewhat slower with this bigger hard drive and was wondering if more ram would help and, if so, what is the max I could go. Jud149 <<

Generally speaking; MORE RAM is almost always a good thing.

However maximum memory "allowable" is not dependant on the operating system (or even the size of the drives) but is determined by the make and model of the computer itself. Therefore, in order to determine the Maximum Memory (RAM) allowable it would help to know the brand name and exact make and model number/version etc. of your current computer system set-up. Example: DELL 4100, IBM 365-series Thinkpad, etc.

 

Thanks for the response. My system is a Gateway, model G6-333C.

 

2 GB is the maximum for Windows 98 but there is a bug in memory manager if you go above 512.

BTW...its hard for me to imagine that you would notice a system slowdown just by installing a new hard drive. Unless, you replaced a 7200 RPM drive with a 5400.

 

>> Thanks for the response. My system is a Gateway, model G6-333C. Jud149 <<

I checked several sites. Unfortunately it looks like you might be "maxed out" at 256MB...

MemoryX.net
Gateway G6-333C
Maximum Memory 256MB
Memory Slots 2 (Install individually)
Non-removable base memory 0MB

RamCity.com
System Memory Configuration Standard Memory:
32MB (Removable)
64MB (Removable)
Maximum Memory: 256MB
Expansion: 2 Sockets
CPU / Chipset: Intel Celeron 433 MHz

Kahlon.com
System Specs for Gateway G6-333c/366c/400c
Type of System: Desktops/Servers
Bus Architecture: PCI/ISA/AGP
CPU Type: 433MHz Intel Celeron
System Memory
Standard Memory: 32MB or 64MB (removable)
Maximum Memory: 256MB
Memory Expansion: 2 sockets

I wouldn't give us just yet, though...
You might try contacting Gateway directly (maybe they can offer you some sort of workaround). Here's a few options. You could always try the Gateway Memory Locator (you'll need to enter the serial number of the system that you wish to upgrade)

Also from the Gateway site:
"Please Note: The Gateway Memory Locator will provide memory module options based on the configuration of your system when it shipped from Gateway. If you have changed your system since it was originally shipped from Gateway, please chat with us or call us..."

Gateway Home or Home Office Computer - Call: 1- 800-369-1409
Chat with Technical Support
E-mail Technical Support
E-mail Customer Service

Good Luck!

 

I just talked to Gateway and they said I can go to 512 ram. If I go from my 256 to 512, will this speed my system up or am I wasting $?

 

>> I just talked to Gateway and they said I can go to 512 ram. If I go from my 256 to 512, will this speed my system up or am I wasting $? Jud149 <<

Unfortunately; there's never any 'guaranteed' way to tell (until you actually install the ram) because many things can affect system performance i.e. how many programs are installed, running at startup*, how many apps do you need to run at the same time, how clean** your hard drive is etc.

One thing is for sure: If Gateway and they said I can go to 512 RAM (if I were you) I'd find out the exactly type of RAM is allowed (i.e. type/make/model of RAM, etc), and I would most definitely shop for and buy it somewhere else. Mega-Computer Companies like Gateway, Compaq, and Dell are notorious for unreasonably upping the price of peripherals and add-ons.

Once you know the compatible rams "exact" type/make/model that you need to use - it is actually relatively easy to open your case and install the RAM yourself. RAM does not cost as much as it used to (especially if you shop around), and it is one of the better investments you can make in your system performance. Paying someone to install RAM for you is like buying a new vacuum cleaner just because the dust and dirt filled bag is full.

To learn how to install the ram yourself - Be sure to save these TWO Links:
From How Stuff Works: "How RAM Works" - Installing Ram "Step By Step"
Also check this link out: "Guide to installing Ram Memory"

Save them to your ‘favorites’ folder (Ctlr+D) as they will certainly come handy after you purchase the RAM sticks and then need "Step By Step" instructions as to install them!

*Additional Notes:
Also try disabling unnecessary programs which may have been automatically configured upon installation to run at start up using the free utility called StartUp Control Panel.

**You might also try cleaning your computer by running these freeware utilities in order to "decrapify" (clean out) all the excess garbage you may have accumulated over time: CCleaner, Ad-Aware SE Personal and do a complete AV (Antivirus) scan as well as running your DEFRAGMENTATION utility or the free defragger called Diskeeper Lite 7.0 (which works great on the Windows '98 OS, by-the-way!)

Good Luck!

 

Thanks for your help. They quoted me about $45 for the ram which I thought was reasonable. They said just to make sure it is SD ram. I'll check around though. I do know how to install the ram as I did it when I upgraded to 256. BTW, I do clean my system frequently and I think I'll try the Diskeeper.

 

>> Thanks for your help. They quoted me about $45 for the ram which I thought was reasonable. They said just to make sure it is SD ram. I'll check around though. I do know how to install the ram as I did it when I upgraded to 256. BTW, I do clean my system frequently and I think I'll try the Diskeeper. << Jud149

Oh anytime, my pleasure, really!

BTW, I edited my last entry a little since I first posted it. Most definitely check out disabling unnecessary programs which may have been automatically configured upon installation to run at start up using that tiny, incredibly easy-to-use as well as useful freeware utility called StartUp Control Panel.

Often times; developers will by default set their programs to install and then run silently in the background at start up (each time you boot) and using this StartUp Control Panel utility can speed up your system considerably. It also remembers your last settings changes each time you use it; and allows you to change any setting back to the way it was; should you chose to re-enable any of the programs later on.

Good Luck!

 

I have another question. I just downloaded the Startup Control Panel and I have to use WinZip to open it every time. This seems to be a pita as opposed to having an ordinary icon for it on my desktop. This also happened on my recent downloads of bugoof and Hijackthis which I just reinstalled after installing my new hard drive. Is there a way I can change these?

 

Yeah, a slower performance with the new drive just doesn't make sense. But, installing a 160GB drive with Win 98 on that computer raises some in questions in my mind, such as a computer that would not recognize the full capacity of a drive that large unless a drive overlay were installed. I doubt we have all the facts here.

 

>> I have another question. I just downloaded the Startup Control Panel and I have to use WinZip to open it every time. This seems to be a pita as opposed to having an ordinary icon for it on my desktop. This also happened on my recent downloads of bugoof and Hijackthis which I just reinstalled after installing my new hard drive. Is there a way I can change these? Jud149 <<

You mean Startup Control Panel "standalone version?" This version simply runs without any installer. If you either drag and drop the .exe to your desktop or extract the .exe from the WinZip (like to the desktop or its own folder) it should work fine without having to open WinZip every time you use it.

Additionally, there is also another version of Startup Control Panel called StartupCPL is also available which actually installs (isn't stand-alone) and adds an icon in your Control Panel. After StartupCPL is installed you can go to Start => Programs and then right-click on it => go to Sent To and send it to your desktop and/or copy to another folder, etc. as well. If you want to install it - try using this link Startup CPL 2.8 instead of the Startup Control Panel Standalone Version 2.8.

As for the "bugoof" question; are you sure you spelled that correctly? I mean what is it exactly (program/utility, etc)? The reason that I ask is that I Googled the term "bugoof and received no useful replies (only 10 actually, all in a non-English language). Did you actually mean BugOff v1.10? If you did, try opening the WinZip file containing BugOff 1.0 and either drag and drop the .exe to your desktop or 'extract' it to the desktop (or the folder of your choice).

Regarding your question about HijackThis make sure that you actually extract HijackThis to its own folder/directory as well. DO NOT run it from within a zip manager (WinZip), as no backups will be saved.

Also few people I've met seem to know this; but whenever users run, scan and finally fixed anything with either Spybot Search and Destroy or AdAware (or any other spyware utility), you should really reboot before scanning w/HijackThis. The reason is because if you do not reboot first when you scan with HT it picks up the entries left by those other spyware utilities that were not yet removed by the required re-boot. This can more than occasionally cause conflicts; like system freezups, etc.

Good Luck

 

That worked! Thanks again?

 

This sent a red flag up while reading this. Win98SE has a hard core restriction of 137Gig. You can seem to have more, but due to fundimental restrictions anything written over the 137 Gig limit will corrupt the data on the disk. Some motherboards are blessed with a intel chipset that will work around this, as well as some external HD controllers, but as a rull of thumb even with the addons it is a bad idea.

Been there, done that (on about 6 machines), still working on damage control.

On my personal machine I partitioned a 160Gig drive to 135Gig. 137 Gig killed the scan and defrag functions. Memory didn't help (I thought of that too).

 

And if you are using an old version of FDISk that won't help either.