Now that we've had our mini lesson in RAM, I've found a really neat and inexpensive software program that helps solve your RAM memory problems: MemTurbo II. It will scour your system for memory leaks, or memory that wasn't released when a software program was shut down.

It operates in background to where you don't even know it's there. You'll just see a little green "bar" that indicates amount of available RAM on your system at that time. Every 15 minutes, program automatically recovers RAM, or whenever your RAM gets below a certain level.

You can even do a "deep scrub" that will find RAM that may not be picked up through a regular recover. I just performed a deep scrub on my system, and it recovered 64 MB of RAM.

MemTurbo II only costs $19.95, which is a bargain for what this little program does. You can even download a trial version of program and use it free for 30 days.

For me, MemTurbo is a "must have" program, because it helps my computer operate more efficiently and saves me a lot of headaches (and sanity). Visit MemTurbo site for more information: http://www.memturbo.com.

Robin Nobles, Director of Training, Academy of Web Specialists, (http://www.academywebspecialists.com) has trained several thousand people in her online search engine marketing courses (http://www.onlinewebtraining.com). She also teaches 3-day hands on search engine marketing workshops in locations across the globe with Search Engine Workshops(http://www.searchengineworkshops.com).

Copyright 2002 Robin Nobles. All rights reserved.

Click "Explore", in left window look in "Windows" tree (click if there is a + before Windows). Look for "Start Menu" (click if necessary to expand tree). Look under "Programs" - you should see "StartUp". Click it.

In right window is what is in your group. You can highlight and press "Delete" on your keyboard to get rid of what you don't need. All this is going to your recycle bin in case you change your mind. Unfortunately, when you reboot you will probably see a lot of same junk you deleted back in lower right corner.

This is case with programs such as Real Audio, Printer programs and virus programs. To stop them from starting you usually have to open individual program and look around. Nine out of ten times you can find a box checked under options in that program.

Also in Windows 98, you can click "Start" button, select "Run" and type "msconfig". A window will pop up with upper right tab will be labeled "Startup". There will be programs listed in there with check boxes.

These are programs that automatically start when you start your computer. I had 29 programs listed with check marks. I did not have 29 icons on bottom right of my task bar. I only had 5.

If you recognize a program, you can remove it from automatically starting by removing check mark and selecting "Apply". You will be asked to restart your computer. If you should change your mind, programs will still be on your hard drive. To be on safe side - check with your computer manufacturer.

Step 3: Have a glass of wine, beer or whatever - Delete your Temporary Internet files. In Internet Explorer at top under "View", select "Internet Options"; select "Delete Temporary Files" (your cookies won't be affected). Close IE.

Left click "Start" button (bottom left of screen), select "Find", "Folders", type "*.TMP", choose "Find Now". You can delete anything in your TMP list that pops up. Windows won't let you delete anything that it needs to run. Reboot - If everything is running fine, empty your "Recycle Bin".

Step 4: Have a glass of wine, beer or whatever - Double click "My Computer" (if you can still find it), right click your "C" drive, left click "Properties", Select "Tools",. Perform a thorough "Scan Disk" - (depending on size of your hard drive this could take a while) - make sure "Automatically" fix error" is checked.

Go get something to eat - (you need something to absorb alcohol - don't drive!).

After this has finished - again under "Tools" - select "Defrag". Do a "Thorough" if you haven't defragged in a while. This will definitely take a long time. I suggest you do it before you go to bed - (you'll need to after wine anyway).

Running "Defrag" groups all your data on your computer and helps programs run smoother. If you are in habit of installing and deleting a lot of programs your data will look like a half-empty football stadium with people scattered. One member of your family is on West Side, one on East Side and one in End Zone.

Defragging will group family together - if mother-in-law is there, that may not be such a good idea. I'm rambling again. You're probably wondering if there is a caboose to my train of thought. Oh well, if this helps one person - it was worth it.