System Resources is one of the most widely-misunderstood
aspects of Windows 95 and 98. Many people equate the term
'System Resources' with how much RAM they have or with all
the things that might be considered 'resources' in
general--things like hard disk space, processor speed, etc.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The term 'System
Resources' has a very specific meaning in Windows 95 and 98,
and it doesn't at all mean what your instincts might lead
you to believe.

The term 'System Resources' refers to two fixed heaps of
memory, each 64K in size. These heaps are called 'User
Resources' and 'GDI Resources,' and Windows uses them to
keep track of running programs and graphic objects. The
overall term 'System Resources,' expressed as a percentage
(which you can see if you right-click on My Computer, then
click Properties and look on the Performance tab), refers to
the lower of the percentages of free User and GDI resources.

The most important thing to realize about these System
Resources is that we all have the same amount of them,
regardless of how much RAM we have or how our systems are
otherwise configured. It's 64K for each of us--the person
with a 16MB 486/50 as well as the one with a 256MB Pentium
III/600.

Many people get very worried when they look at the System
Resources percentage, and see numbers like 80%, 70%, 60%,
50%, They want to know why their number isn't 100%, or
something close to it, and want to know how to solve the
'problem.' They mistakenly assume that lowered free resources
means lowered performance.

Have no fear. There is no 'problem.' Resources are there to
be used, not hoarded. Using a greater percentage of
resources occurs because you're doing more--running more
programs. There is no performance hit as you use more
Resources, and no disadvantage of any kind (except that the
number of additional programs you can start is restricted by
available Resources).

Of course, if you run out of Resources entirely (or even get
very close), there's a serious problem--you will crash or
lock up the computer. But problems don't normally occur
until you get very close to zero--under 10% or so.
I'm writing this article on WordPerfect at the moment. I
also have Outlook 98 and Outlook Express open, and a bunch
of small background programs. My free Resources are at 32%
and I'm experiencing no slowdown and no problems of any
kind. This 32% is fairly normal for me. I tend to keep a lot
of programs open and free resource percentages below 50% are
commonplace here.