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From: colfelt@news.colorado.edu (COLFELT ANDREW BRINTON W)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.ms
Subject: ---Catch-All for Windows Problems---
Keywords: memory problems enhanced mode
Message-ID: <colfelt.674898394@tramp.Colorado.EDU>
Date: 22 May 91 07:46:34 GMT
Sender: news@colorado.edu (The Daily Planet)
Reply-To: colfelt@tramp.Colorado.EDU
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
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Nntp-Posting-Host: tramp.colorado.edu

Ok, folks, here's the PRIMARY reason people have problems with Windows 3.0:

			TOO LITTLE MEMORY.

"Great, what the gingersnatch do I do now?!"

	If you start windows with "win" and you come up in Standard or Real
mode, Windows has decided that there isn't enough memory to make efficient 
use of the 386 Enhanced Mode.  My experience has been that 2Mb is the MINIMUM
necessary to operate successfully MOST OF THE TIME in Enhanced mode.  There 
are ways of forcing Enh. Mode ("win /3"), but there will be some budget-cuts
to be made elsewhere...
	"But I HAVE 2Mb!"
True though this may be, the allocation of said memory may be suspect.
	Some tried and true tips (for 2Mb systems; larger systems have more 
room to work with):
	1.	Buffers = 10; Files = 30
	2.	HIMEM.SYS is essential!  EMM386.SYS values are inversely 
		proportional to your chances of attaining the coveted 386Enh.
		(RTM, p.594) 
	2.	device=c:\windows\SmardtDrv.SYS [~512 to 768] [~128 to 256]	
	3.	don't use FASTOPEN
	4.	don't use unneccessary TSRs
	5.	BMP Wallpaper, while aesthetically pleasing, is non-functional,
		and will occupy precious memory.

Don't worry about Buffers=10 and no FASTOPEN; SmartDrv is SMART! :-)

(The REAL Catch-All for Windows problems, as you've guessed by now, is 
RAM RAM RAM!  Buy all that will fit inside the box; starve yourself for
a month if you have to!  A 2Mb system is, in my opinion, the absolute
MINIMUM memory requirement for Windows, despite what the dealers will tell
you, and despite the specs listed on the box the program came in!  A
Permanent Swapfile will also do you wonders, although we all cringe at the
thought of stagnant disk space.)

I hope this helps those who are burning to know why their systems are not
performing the way they're expected; this should help with MOST problems.

Andrew
colfelt@tramp.colorado.edu