Another thing to point out, the following is from an article I wrote a while back.
“…If you have over 64 MB of RAM and use Windows 98 (This applies to this version ONLY according to a well hidden Micro$oft Knowledgebase article Q223294). Anyway back to the lesson, as you have probably already read I suggest setting your own virtual memory (VM), well if you do or do not, Win98SE uses up to 64MB or RAM, then the virtual memory, then the remaining memory. Yes, First the fast RAM is used, then slow VM, then back to the fast RAM. The article tries to scare you with

I looked at that article. Your version is much clearer!

You probably won’t see ConservativeSwapFileUsage=1 in the SYSTEM.INI file by default, but add it – it does make a big difference. A reboot is required for it to take effect.

I’ve been debating whether to post this link or not and finally decided to say the hell with it and post it anyway. I put some pages out on my personal site for my benefit when working remotely on a Win98 system. These pages detail some of the settings in the SYSTEM.INI file and other speed/efficiency tweaks for Windows 98….although I shudder at the way the navigation and page layout looks right now, you may find some interesting things there, so I’m posting the link.

• Optimizing the Windows 9x SYSTEM.INI File[/list]One question that always comes up is “why doesn’t Microsoft do this for you?” Windows comes out of the box ready for a marketing demo, not for heavy use. And it’s also intended to use the safest settings possible so that it doesn’t break (shattered Windows?) everywhere, not a bad idea really. Keep that in mind if you implement any of those tweaks!

A word of caution. Leaving the case open (in some cases, even just an open PCI slot at the back) can, surprisingly, cause problems with overheating of components. Some systems may rely on a specific airflow, which is disrupted with the cover off. If all the major heat-producing components have their own fans, you should be fine; but some components may rely on passive cooling, ie radiation and convection. They will still be radiating heat, but without a flow of air, convection is seriously limited.

Also don’t forget that those innards don’t like static electricity – or coffee! The case will provide protection from both. Just in case no-one has mentioned it before, it is important to make sure that you are grounded before delving into the inner workings, to drain away any static charge you may have been building up.

‘Case’ is the usual term. Tower (including midi-, mini-, etc.) is the upright version, desktop the horizontal one that sits on your desk, logically enough. At the end of the day, it’s just a box to hold the components in place, so call it what you want!

[indent]

I wonder if computers take after their users

[/indent]Well, mine seems to….it never sleeps, occasionally has an attitude, and does unexpected things.

Quit your job! Quit your job! Keep filing all these little tidbits away and you just might end up doing that and getting a job where you can tinker with these confounded contraptions all day long… (ahem)

I hope it’s easier to get one of those jobs in the US than it is here. Everyone is insisting on min. 12 months, usualLy 2-3 years commercial experience as a minimum, even for the the most junior roles.

Sparky/Wylly

Just to go OT again, back a couple of posts…

I have recently heard it said that it’s not a good idea to leave the cover off a base unit because of the possibility of harmful electromagnetic radiation. Any truth in this as far as you know?? I know we’re probably not talking about much, certainly nothing like the liver-warming effect of running a microwave with the door open, but is there cause for concern there? Especially as my main machine has been without it’s side panel for so long, I’ve forgotten where it is.

I’m not inclined to believe it. In fact, I’d actually be inclined to say it’s a bunch of hooey. All electonic devices emit some bleeding frequencies, but I would think, given the thousands of PCs worldwide, that such a thing would have come out of the closet a long time ago. That said, there’s no definitive way to say.

Noticeable intereference with other electronic devices might be a side effect, but PC cases as a rule aren’t really shielded, they’re just metal boxes. And if leaving the cover off causes health problems, my insurer is going to have their hands full one of these days.

Mark,
I’m with you 100 % on this topic. There are too many people running around, who don’t know the FIRST thing about RF, radiation, electronics and electrical devices, yet they are the ones who, like chicken little, scream that the sky is falling, the sky is falling ! There must be harmful radiation from cell phones, cell towers, PC’s, pagers, electrical devices and or anything else that operates on those mysterious radio waves!!!! Get a life! We have more to worry about than these things.
I’ll open another thread on another similar subject. (static electricity in and around PC’s) That should open up another can of worms for the terrified.

Bob

I can’t think of anything inside a PC that would emit any significant or dangerous electro-magnetic radiation. I guess the largest source would be the PSU, and that’s certainly nothing to worry about. If anything, the risk would be to sensitive components in the PC from EMR from other sources (such as the monitor).

The metal case of a PC would be a fair shield against EMR.

I would advise that you don’t run your PC with the covers off because of the possibility of harmful radiation.

The radiation originates outside the box (for example at your mobile phone) and can cause harm to your PC, occassionally resulting in an unexpected reboot but not likely to cause any physical damage. I have come across at least one issue where disk corruption on a server was almost certainly caused by use of a mobile phone when the covers were off!

StuartR

Oh, but don’t worry about holding the phone up next to your head for several hours a month. There’s no definitive evidence that this could do you any harm at all.

Since I’ve never met an IT person without at least one cell phone, and possibly a pager and cordless headset, it would seem to be pretty hazardous for the equipment. We put a monitor in a mobile rack between a bunch of servers and switches and you should have seen the display jiggle and dance. Brought tears to my eyes trying to read it. I think those servers give as good as they get; it’s every device for itself.

In the spirit of remaining off topic, check this guy out: Open Case? (From ntfs.org forum on case mods)(how do you mod that???)

kip (ps I just noticed I’m now a “Star Lounger”!!! When did that happen? Don’t I get a Gold Watch?…seriously this is a great board and I’m happy to be a small part of it…)

The gold watch is awarded when you reach the Plutonium Lounger level. Actually, that happened when you topped fifty posts. Titles and Status are explained in the online help, section 16.

Now that case, ouch. That looks more like meltdown to me!