How do I free up system resources?

How do I keep the system resources up aside from re-booting? And how low can they be and have all programs working efficiently? My computer begins with 2 programs loading automatically (maybe 4 if you count the ones working in the background) and therefore begins at 90% and goes down from there. I desire to leave the computer on all the time as one program I use is 'Caller ID Pro'. Do I have to re-boot to build them back up or is there anything else I can do?

This question was answered on August 27, 1999. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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Free available system resources

Do one or more of the following:

1) Close multiple windows within an application

2) Quit any applications not in use, and minimize other applications

3) Empty the Clipboard:

NOTE: If the information in the Clipboard has not yet been used, paste the information into the desired document before continuing

a) Double-click the 'Main' program group icon in Program Manager (The 'Main' window appears.)

b) Double-click the 'ClipBook Viewer' icon

c) Select the 'Edit' menu and select 'Delete' (A message appears, asking if you want to clear the contents of the Clipboard.)

d) Click 'Yes'

e) Select the 'File' menu and select 'Exit' to close the Clipboard

4) If using a large bitmap file as the screen background (the wallpaper), change the wallpaper to none:

a) Double-click the 'Main' program group icon in 'Program Manager' (The 'Main' window appears.)

b) Double-click the 'Control Panel' icon (The 'Control Panel' window appears.)

c) Double-click the 'Desktop' icon (The 'Desktop' dialog box appears.)

d) Select '(None)' from the 'File' drop-down list box in the 'Wallpaper' group

e) Click 'OK'

f) (Optional) Close any previously opened windows

5) If you are using a temporary swap file, convert it into a permanent swap file, and if you are using a permanent swap file, free hard disk space and make it larger:

NOTE: Before changing the swap file, save and close all open applications

a) Double-click the 'Main' program group icon in 'Program Manager' (The 'Main' window appears.)

b) Double-click the 'Control Panel' icon (The 'Control Panel' window appears.)

c) Double-click the 'Enhanced' icon (The 'Enhanced' dialog box appears.)

d) Click 'Virtual Memory...' (The 'Virtual Memory' dialog box appears with the current swap file settings.)

e) Click 'Change' (The 'Virtual Memory' dialog box expands to display the recommended swap file settings.)

f) Select the drive where the swap file is to be located from the 'Drive' drop-down list box

NOTE: If more than one drive is available, select the fastest drive

g) Select 'Permanent' from the 'Type' drop-down list box

h) Type a value in the 'New Size' box

NOTE: It is generally a good idea to select the value suggested by Windows in the 'Recommended Size' area of 'New Swapfile Settings'

i) Click 'OK'

j) Click 'Yes' when asked to confirm the change

k) Click 'Restart Windows' so that the changes will take effect

6) Delete temporary files:

CAUTION: Some Windows applications create .TMP files when the application or a file is opened To prevent unintentional loss of data, save and close all applications before deleting any .TMP files

a) Open File Manager from 'Main'

b) Select the 'File' menu and select 'Search...' (The 'Search' dialog box appears.)

c) Type *.TMP in the 'Search For' box

d) Make sure the root directory of the drive (e.g., C:\ or D:\) is typed in the 'Start From' box

e) Select the 'Search All Subdirectories' check box

f) Click 'OK' (The File Manager displays the 'Search Results' window, listing files matching the search criteria.)

g) Select all *.TMP files that do NOT have the current date

h) Select the 'File' menu and select 'Delete...' (The 'Delete' dialog box appears.)

i) Click 'OK' (The 'Delete Confirm' dialog box appears.)

j) Click the 'Yes to All' button to delete all selected temporary files

7) Delete unused Windows applications:

CAUTION: Confirm that the Windows installation disks are available in case some files need to be copied back onto the hard disk

NOTE 1: Deleting Solitaire's help file FREES 14K Deleting Cardfile, Calendar, and their help files FREES ALMOST 200KB Readme Files contain technical information on networks, printers, etc Removing these files FREES 300KB Removing Readme Files, Accessories, Games, screen saver, and Wallpaper, Sounds, etc FREES a total of 2.5MB OF HARD DISK SPACE

About the author

Posted by Ken Colburn of Data Doctors on August 27, 1999

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