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Running out of resources? Ever wondered what causes your resources to drop so low?

Resources are composed of two 64KB sections in memory called heaps. (Windows 95 has other heaps with no size limit, but a lot still happens in the old 64KB ones.) The closer either heap gets to being filled, the more unstable Windows will become.

The two heaps are GDI, which stores images for on-screen display, and User, where programs keep windows and other information. The Resource Meter simply shows whichever of the two is worse off at any given moment.

Applications share resources like they share disk space--reluctantly. As you start, use, exit, and restart programs, the heaps fill up. You can reduce the problem by running fewer programs at one time. Don't run unnecessary programs or use themes if you are running low on resources. Also you might try to eliminate as many programs that run in the task bar at startup as possible (system-level tasks)as they are resource hogs and many are seldom needed during any given session and can still be accessed from the start, programs menu. The only way other way short of using a program to manage memory (every program uses more resources) is to clear a heap by exiting and reentering Windows.

If your CD-ROM is seldom used, you can free up some of your computer's memory to do other tasks. The CD-ROM has cache memory that is reserved for use by the CD-ROM. It helps the CD-ROM run more efficiently if it's frequently in use. To free up some of this memory, follow these instructions:

1.Open My Computer
2. Choose Properties
3. Choose the Performance tab
4. Click the File System button
5. Choose the CD-ROM tab
6. Adjust cache memory down as far as 244.

You'll have to restart your computer for the setting to take effect. If your CD-ROM then runs poorly, readjust the cache memory until you find an acceptable level.

Speed up your startup time and make your computer perform better by turning off those little system-level tasks you don't need. Every application that launches at startup uses power and memory that your computer needs for other tasks. Windows provides a utility called MSCONFIG to let you choose what loads at startup. To run MSCONFIG, follow these steps.

1. Go to the Start menu.
2. Choose Run.
3. Type in msconfig.
4. Press OK.

Now that you are in MSCONFIG, go to the Startup Tab. Only uncheck any programs that you are familiar with. Otherwise, you may inadvertently turn something off that you need to compute normally. When you are finished selecting programs, click OK. Next time you start your computer, it should launch faster.
If you turn off a program that you need, simply go back and restore it. Open MSCONFIG and click on the General tab. Selecting the box stating Normal Startup - restores all drivers and software.

If you're the only user on a computer, you probably don't don't need a logon screen to appear every time you boot up. To eliminate the need to input your user name and password follow these steps.

1. Open your Control Panel.
2. Double-click on the Network icon.
3. In the Primary Network Logon, choose Windows Logon.
4. Press OK.
5. In the Control panel link the Passwords applet.
6. Click Change Passwords tab.
7. Press Change Windows Password button.
8. Type in your current password in the Old Password box.
9. Leave both the New Password and Confirm New Password boxes blank.
10. Click OK.
11. Select the User Profile tab and make sure the "All users of this PC use the same preferences and desktop settings" is selected.
12. Click OK.
13. Restart Windows.

This tip will not work for Windows NT users or if you use profiles.