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From: logan@neuro.usc.edu (Christy Logan)
Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.apps
Subject: frustration with memory problems
Message-ID: <31945@usc>
Date: 14 Apr 91 21:47:54 GMT
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Originator: logan@neuro.usc.edu


  I am experiencing a great deal of trouble and frustration using 
my new 386sx and would really appreciate some help.  I should begin by
saying I am a novice and don't really understand the ins and outs
of memory (nor do I want to--I just want things to work).  
Windows 3.0 is installed on the system and I have not altered
the way it set up the config.sys file (except to add the mouse
as a driver).  My system has 4 MB RAM.

  The problem I am having is that when I try to run Sigmaplot
(a graphing program that works fine on my XT with no extra 
memory in lab), it says it can't load graphics drivers because
there's not enough memory (therefore it doesn't work at all).
That happens whether I try to run it in or out of Windows
(although once when I tried to run it in Windows
it almost worked, but gave me the same error message
when I go to the point of printing the graph.  I don't have any idea
what had changed in between that run and other tries.)
Sigmaplot seems to think there is 115K of memory available.  
Another program I run, CSS (a statistical package) runs all right
but thinks there is 365K of memory available.  Why the difference?  
But more importantly, why can't Sigmaplot find/use the memory?  
What good is 4M if my programs can't use it?  

  When I called the computer's manufacturer (ARC) with this problem,
they suggested buying QEMM, and said that the problem was with the
way Windows set up memory.  Besides the fact that I feel cheated
that I have to go out and spend more money just to get my fancy
new machine to do what my crummy old machine could do, I am
also concerned about trying QEMM because there are so many
problems with using it posted here.  So what's the verdict on
QEMM?  I can't tell if the problems result when people want
to do more sophisticated things than I'd be likely to want.

  I am also experiencing other more minor problems, like starting
up Windows and not having my mouse work, then exiting and restarting
and having it work fine.  No big deal really, but an annoyance
nonetheless and one that makes me think that the system is
poorly designed and just limping by (whether the "system"
is the hardware or the DOS or Windows software is another
question I'd like answered).  

  All in all, I am extremely frustrated, to the point that
I am considering returning my computer (still in its 30
day free return period) and buying a Mac.  I've never used
one, but everyone who owns one seems to love them, something
that I haven't found among IBM users.  Certainly it would be
preferrable to get my 386sx to work, but I hate the idea of just
patching things together and settling for a way of getting it
to limp along.  Isn't there a way to make it *really*work*?
Is Windows 3.0 inherently flawed?

Thank you for allowing me to vent my spleen.  Any suggestions 
or advice would be greatly appreciated.
--Christy Logan