KB196839 - Windows Is Unstable After Disabling Virtual Memory

Article ID: 196839

Article Last Modified on 1/23/2007

Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition

This article was previously published under Q196839

If this article does not describe your hardware-related issue, please see the following Microsoft Web site to view more articles about hardware:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/w98?sid=460

SYMPTOMS

If your computer contains 16 megabytes (MB) of random access memory (RAM) and you disable virtual memory, Windows 98 may become unstable.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if you disable virtual memory on a computer with the minimum amount of RAM required by Windows 98.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, install more RAM in your computer or enable virtual memory, or do both. To enable virtual memory, follow these steps:

Restart your computer. Press and hold down the CTRL key until the Windows 98 Startup menu appears, and then choose Safe Mode.
Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
Double-click System, click the Performance tab, and then click Virtual Memory.
Click "Let Windows manage my virtual memory settings. (Recommended)."
Click OK, click Close, and then click Yes when you are prompted to restart your computer.

MORE INFORMATION

Windows 98 has higher memory requirements than Microsoft Windows 95. The minimum memory requirement for Windows 98 is 16 MB; more memory improves performance.

When you disable virtual memory, you receive the following message:

   Warning: Completely disabling virtual memory may cause your computer
   to stop operating properly.

   You may not be able to restart your computer, or your system may not
   perform optimally. Do not continue unless you are sure you need to
   specify your own virtual memory settings.

   Are you sure you want to continue?

Additional query words: HWMEM

Keywords: kbenv kbprb KB196839