Using Windows 98SE With Only 1 GB RAM

[Monroe]

dencorso ... I looked over all the links that you have posted and only see links dealing with "more" than 1GB of RAM. Never paid too much attention to the subject as I always thought that 512 MB would always be my limit, but that changed a week ago when I bought a refurbished IBM Thinkpad T42 ... 1.6 GHz ... it came with 1 GB of RAM and XP Pro installed. I played around with XP for a few days and then installed Windows 2000 Pro ... just don't like either one so I decided to install Windows 98SE and see how things would go with the 1 GB RAM issue. When I do a new install of Windows 98SE, the first thing I install is Gape's older Unofficial 98SE Service Pack 2.1. After that install the 1 GB was showing up. I am installing all my software in batches and then I will do a Ghost backup, so I don't have to start everything over, should something go wrong along the way.

At this stage, I just have one question ... I have changed nothing in VCache ... I did download Xeno's VCache Fix but have not installed it as of yet. Since everything seems to be working at this stage with the 1GB of RAM showing up by only using Gape's older Unofficial Service Pack ... I'm thinking I should just leave everything as is and continue adding my software programs. My plan is as follows ... install everything and then do a final Ghost back up ... and only then experiment with any VCache settings that might be advisable or just leave well enough alone ... I am wondering about "safe mode" and any adjustments for the 1 GB to show up there. I saw some mention of it in your "over 1 GB" thread. I also see that you like what Gape did in his older Unofficial Service Pack. ...all very interesting.

Any replies also appreciated from anyone ... if you also are working with only 1 GB of RAM in a similar situation ... with only Gape's older SP 2.1installed for the RAM fix ... and if you did anything else.

...

Edited October 1, 2011 by duffy98

[rloew]

dencorso ... I looked over all the links that you have posted and only see links dealing with "more" than 1GB of RAM. Never paid too much attention to the subject as I always thought that 512 MB would always be my limit, but that changed a week ago when I bought a refurbished IBM Thinkpad T42 ... 1.6 GHz ... it came with 1 GB of RAM and XP Pro installed. I played around with XP for a few days and then installed Windows 2000 Pro ... just don't like either one so I decided to install Windows 98SE and see how things would go with the 1 GB RAM issue. When I do a new install of Windows 98SE, the first thing I install is Gabe's older Unofficial 98SE Service Pack 2.1. After that install the 1 GB was showing up. I am installing all my software in batches and then I will do a Ghost backup, so I don't have to start everything over, should something go wrong along the way.

At this stage, I just have one question ... I have changed nothing in VCache ... I did download Xeno's VCache Fix but have not installed it as of yet. Since everything seems to be working at this stage with the 1GB of RAM showing up by only using Gabe's older Unofficial Service Pack ... I'm thinking I should just leave everything as is and continue adding my software programs. My plan is as follows ... install everything and then do a final Ghost back up ... and only then experiment with any VCache settings that might be advisable or just leave well enough alone ... I am wondering about "safe mode" and any adjustments for the 1 GB to show up there. I saw some mention of it in your "over 1 GB" thread. I also see that you like what Gabe did in his older Unofficial Service Pack. ...all very interesting.

Any replies also appreciated from anyone ... if you also are working with only 1 GB of RAM in a similar situation ... with only Gabe's older SP 2.1installed for the RAM fix ... and if you did anything else.

...

The VCACHE fix is needed if you go significantly above 512MB. The workarounds or my Patch are not needed until you exceed 1.1GB. This is an issue for Safe Mode as well.

The same issues apply, so you can use the information in the "over 1GB threads".

[Monroe]

Thanks rloew for the information ... I'm showing 1023.0 MB RAM in System Properties so I guess I'm just under the 1.1 GB figure that you mention. I was aware your patch is a must have for computers with 2 GB and up to 4GB I think ... just wasn't sure about the lower amounts between 1 GB and 2 GB. Everything still seems to be working as I install more software programs.

...

[dencorso]

Gape's uSP 2.1 did it for you. When you applied it it set MaxFileCache=393216 under [vcache] for you.

BTW, it's Gape, not Gabe... But your system will probably have problems with Safe Mode, unless you add a [vcache] setting in system.cb, too. If you do it, you won't need Xeno86's vcache.vxd.

Now, while Gape (and me too) considered 393216 the best value to be used, you can use more, if you wish, up to 524288 (both in system.ini and in system.cb).

[Monroe]

Thanks for the information ... I am not sure exactly what or where "system.cb" is located. I can't find any helpful information on it anywhere except that it seems to be connected with Safe Mode in some way. Would I put the exact same number in system.cb ... MaxFileCache=393216 ? I know where to find vcache in system.ini.

I have completed loading all my programs and have the computer exactly the way I want it ... did a Ghost backup of the hard drive and all is well. Now I am having one small problem with two drivers in Device Manager that are not installed. It may be related to the 1 GB thing or not. I had 3 PCI drivers that were showing the yellow exclamation mark but was finally able to get the right driver for one of them earlier today. The other two so far are a problem. I tried taking one of the memory sticks out and with only 512 MB installed all drivers will install ... with the memory back at 1 GB, I try the same drivers and then I get this message which kills the computer instantly:

VFAT Device Initialization Failed

A device or resource required by VFAT is not present or is unavailable. VFAT cannot continue loading.

System halted.

----------------------------------------

When it says "System halted", it absolutely is halted ! I didn't fool with these last three missing drivers until I had the last Ghost backup completed so I can experiment with various drivers and hope I can "stumble" onto the right ones. I was lucky to get one PCI driver installed but so far the other two bring up the "VFAT Device" message and the boot up stops. Sure glad I made it to that last Ghost backup ... I've used it four times today and will try again later.

The missing drivers are:

PCI Ethernet Controller

PCI Ethernet Controller

PCI System Management Bus ... (found driver earlier today for this)

... but everything is working except for the internal wireless and I'm sure they must be connected ... still very satisfied to be this far along and the 1 GB of RAM still showing on the machine. So that's where everything stands for now.

... thanks for the Gape correction, I should have known that.

...

Edited October 1, 2011 by duffy98

[rloew]

Thanks for the information ... I am not sure exactly what or where "system.cb" is located. I can't find any helpful information on it anywhere except that it seems to be connected with Safe Mode in some way. Would I put the exact same number in system.cb ... MaxFileCache=393216 ? I know where to find vcache in system.ini.

I have completed loading all my programs and have the computer exactly the way I want it ... did a Ghost backup of the hard drive and all is well. Now I am having one small problem with two drivers in Device Manager that are not installed. It may be related to the 1 GB thing or not. I had 3 PCI drivers that were showing the yellow exclamation mark but was finally able to get the right driver for one of them earlier today. The other two so far are a problem. I tried taking one of the memory sticks out and with only 512 MB installed all drivers will install ... with the memory back at 1 GB, I try the same drivers and then I get this message which kills the computer instantly:

VFAT Device Initialization Failed

A device or resource required by VFAT is not present or is unavailable. VFAT cannot continue loading.

System halted.

----------------------------------------

When it says "System halted", it absolutely is halted ! I didn't fool with these last three missing drivers until I had the last Ghost backup completed so I can experiment with various drivers and hope I can "stumble" onto the right ones. I was lucky to get one PCI driver installed but so far the other two bring up the "VFAT Device" message and the boot up stops. Sure glad I made it to that last Ghost backup ... I've used it four times today and will try again later.

The missing drivers are:

PCI Ethernet Controller

PCI Ethernet Controller

PCI System Management Bus ... (found driver earlier today for this)

... but everything is working except for the internal wireless and I'm sure they must be connected ... still very satisfied to be this far along and the 1 GB of RAM still showing on the machine. So that's where everything stands for now.

... thanks for the Gape correction, I should have known that.

...

Would either of those Ethernet Controllers be a Gigabit (1000MBit) Controller?

Do you have a large Registry?

There is another Memory issue, that can be aggravated by increased RAM size, that causes the VFAT failure. Gigabit Ethernet Controllers often cause this issue as do large Registries. My RAM Limitation Patch has an option to fix this issue. Try my RAM Limitation Patch Demo with the /M Option and then immediately uninstall it.

[dencorso]

system.cb is in %windir%\, the same folder system.ini also is in.

you must create the [vcache] header in it, then add the MaxFileCache under it.

Rephrasing RLoew's latest question: what're the sizes of your system.dat and user.dat?

[Monroe]

OK, I used Unknown Devices earlier and got this information ... and yes one of them is a Gigabit (1000MBit) Controller. That must be the one I was trying to install. I found an IBM driver that did install but then it says to restart the computer and that's when the computer shuts down. Here are the two drivers:

----------------------------------------------

PCI Ethernet Controller

IBM PRO/1000 MT Mobile Connection

Intel Corporation82540EP Gigabit Ethernet Controller Mobile

ATHEROS Communications Inc 11a/b/g

Wireless LAN Mini PCI

Adapter

IBM

---------------------------------------------

Now as to the registry size, in reply to you and dencorso:

system.dat : 7.76 MB

user.dat : 1.09 MB

... again thanks for the help, just curious, what size would be considered a "large" registry?

rloew, I think I will be ordering your patch. Will it allow me to install that Gigabit (1000MBit) Controller without problems? I might like to have it on hand anyway.

...

Edited October 1, 2011 by duffy98

[rloew]

OK, I used Unknown Device earlier and got this information ... and yes one of them is a Gigabit (1000MBit) Controller. That must be the one I was trying to install. I found an IBM driver that did install but then it says to restart the computer and that's when the computer shuts down. Here are the two drivers:

----------------------------------------------

PCI Ethernet Controller

IBM PRO/1000 MT Mobile Connection

Intel Corporation82540EP Gigabit Ethernet Controller Mobile

ATHEROS Communications Inc 11a/b/g

Wireless LAN Mini PCI

Adapter

IBM

---------------------------------------------

Now as to the registry size, in reply to you and dencorso:

system.dat : 7.76 MB

user.dat : 1.09 MB

... again thanks for the help, just curious, what size would be considered a "large" registry?

rloew, I think I will be ordering your patch. Will it allow me to install that Gigabit (1000MBit) Controller without problems? I might like to have it on hand anyway.

...

Your Registry is not very large. After about 12MB the problems increase. The Ethernet is the bigger issue.

If you want to be sure about my Patch, try the Demo with the /M option. You do not have to remove the SYSTEM.INI or SYSTEM.CB mods during testing.

[Monroe]

OK ... after I posted my last message I decided to try your Demo Patch. It was late and I forgot about the /M option. Of course it didn't work (got the VFAT Device Initialization Failed message) and decided to work on everything later. I had to reinstall the the Ghost backup again. I have another question for you or dencorso. I have Cacheman 4.1 installed, is that OK to also have it running or should it be removed. It seems to be working just fine, as far as I can tell, with everything. I am using the "CD Writer" setting. Good to hear the Registry size is OK ... I will try the Demo Patch again sometime later today, anxious to give it another shot.

thanks ...

Edited October 1, 2011 by duffy98

[rloew]

OK ... after I posted my last message I decided to try your Demo Patch. It was late and I forgot about the /M option. Of course it didn't work (got the VFAT Device Initialization Failed message) and decided to work on everything later. I had to reinstall the the Ghost backup again. I have another question for you or dencorso. I have Cacheman 4.1 installed, is that OK to also have it running or should it be removed. It seems to be working just fine, as far as I can tell, with everything. I am using the "CD Writer" setting. Good to hear the Registry size is OK ... I will try the Demo Patch again sometime later today, anxious to give it another shot.

thanks ...

I'm not familiar with Cacheman so I have no opinion on it. My Patch can be installed, uninstalled or reinstalled from DOS, so you do not need to Boot Windows to make changes. The Demo time limit only applies while Windows is running.

It is not necessary to reinstall your Ghost backup each time. You can boot in Safe mode and disable the Driver, then reboot in normal mode.

The /M Option on my Patch will handle large Registries, so you will not need to worry about it causing a problem in the future if it grows.

Edited October 1, 2011 by rloew

[Monroe]

Well I don't seem to be having much luck with the Demo patch. I've installed it in DOS but I am not seeing any /M Option when I install it. It just installs in a split second so I must be missing something. I was able to find a driver that worked for the ATHEROS Communications Inc 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI adapter so the only one left is the PCI Ethernet Controller IBM PRO/1000 MT Mobile Connection. I have the driver for it but when I have to restart the computer the VFAT Device message shows up. If you feel your full patch can probably fix this problem, I will order it, it seems to fix several things and the registry issue also ... should that become a problem later on. I have one other option, leave the internal wireless as is and install a Netgear card. I use that on my other computers, in fact I prefer that for WiFi anyway so I may just live with that one yellow exclamation point. Have a much better understanding of things now than I had a few days ago.

thanks

...

Edited October 2, 2011 by duffy98

[technoid]

I have Cacheman 4.1 installed, is that OK to also have it running or should it be removed. It seems to be working just fine, as far as I can tell, with everything. I am using the "CD Writer" setting.

I'm not familiar with Cacheman so I have no opinion on it.

OT: Do you mean Cacheman by Outertech? I am familiar with it, but isn't 4.1 an old version? I use 5.50 which is the last version available for Win 9x/Me. (altho Cacheman is up to version 7.x now for XP/Vista/7).

[Monroe]

Yes, that's the Cacheman I was talking about. I have version 5.50 but for some reason I decided to go back to v4.1. That was several years ago and I've forgotten exactly why I decided to use 4.1 again. I like the program and how it works.

...

Edited October 2, 2011 by duffy98

[dencorso]

Caheman is OK, in principle. It should cause you no problems. As for RLoew's patcher, you won't see anything, if you're waiting for a menu or whatever. What you have to do is, at the dos prompt, type:

Patchm /M

and then hit enter. /M is a command-line switch, that should be given to the patcher program when you run it.