Memory Test in Windows XP

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System software

System software (orsystems software) is anoperating systemdesigned to operate and control

thecomputer hardwareand to provide a platform for runningapplication software.[1][2]

Device driverssuch as computerBIOSand devicefirmwareprovide basic functionality to

operate and control the hardware connected to or built into the computer. Theoperating system

(prominent examples beingz/OS,Microsoft Windows,Mac OS XandLinux), allows the partsof a computer to work together by performing tasks like transferringdatabetweenmemoryand

disksor rendering output onto adisplay device. It also provides a platform to run high-level

system software andapplication software.Window systemsare components of agraphical userinterface(GUI), and more specifically of adesktop environment, which supports the

implementation ofwindow managers, and provides basic support for graphics hardware, pointing

devices such as mouse, and keyboards. The mouse cursor is also generally drawn by the

windowing system.Utility softwarehelps to analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the

computer.

Serversare computer programs running to serve the requests of other programs. The serverperforms some computational task on behalf of the software which may run on either the same

computer or on other computers connected through a network.

In some publications, the termsystem software also includessoftware developmenttools (like a

compiler,linkerordebugger).[3]

In contrast to system software, software that allows users to do things like create text documents,

play games, listen to music, or surf the web is calledapplication software

The operating system and utility programs are the two major categories ofsystem software.

Just as the processor is the nucleus of the computer system, the operating system is the nucleus

of all software activity.

The operating system is the most important program that runs on a computer. Every general-purpose computermust have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems

perform basic tasks, such as

recognizing input from the keyboard sending output to the display screen

keeping track of files and directories on the disk controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.

It is the first program loaded into memory when the computer is turned on and, in a sense,

brings life to the computer hardware. Without it, you cannot use your word processing

software, spreadsheet software, or any other applications.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_hardwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_hardwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_hardwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_softwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_softwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_software#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_software#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_software#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Device_driverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Device_driverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIOShttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIOShttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIOShttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firmwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firmwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firmwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z/OShttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z/OShttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z/OShttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windowshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windowshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windowshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_Xhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_Xhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_Xhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linuxhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linuxhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linuxhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_%28computing%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_%28computing%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_%28computing%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_access_memoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_access_memoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_access_memoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_storagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_storagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Display_devicehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Display_devicehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Display_devicehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_softwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_softwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_softwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphical_user_interfacehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphical_user_interfacehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphical_user_interfacehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphical_user_interfacehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desktop_environmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desktop_environmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desktop_environmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_managerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_managerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_managerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windowing_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windowing_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utility_softwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utility_softwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utility_softwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Server_%28computing%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Server_%28computing%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_developmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_developmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_developmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compilerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compilerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linker_%28computing%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linker_%28computing%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linker_%28computing%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debuggerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debuggerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debuggerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_software#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_software#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_software#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_softwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_softwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_softwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_softwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_software#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debuggerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linker_%28computing%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compilerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_developmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Server_%28computing%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utility_softwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windowing_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_managerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desktop_environmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphical_user_interfacehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphical_user_interfacehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_softwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Display_devicehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_storagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_access_memoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_%28computing%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linuxhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_Xhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windowshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z/OShttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firmwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIOShttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Device_driverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_software#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_software#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_softwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_hardwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system


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Without an operating system, you cannot communicate with your computer. When you give the

computer a command, the operating system relays the instructions to the 'brain' of the computer,called the microprocessor or CPU. You cannot speak directly to the CPU because it only

understands machine language. When you are working in an application software program, such

as Microsoft Word, commands that you give the application are sent through the operatingsystem to the CPU. Windows2000, Window95/98, Mac OS, Unix and DOS are all examples ofoperating systems.

Utility programs help manage, maintain and control computer resources. These programs are

available to help you with the day-to-day chores associated with personal computing and to keepyour system running at peak performance.

Some examples of utility programs include:

Virus scanning software Backup software Scandisk Disk defragmenter

Virus Scanning Software are utility programs designed to protect your computer from computer

viruses. Virus scanning software is critical to uses, due to the number of computer viruses (small

computer programs created to disrupt and destroy computer files and/or operating system

software).

Virus scanning software scans your disk each time you insert it into a computer at Alverno. Ifyou receive a warning that there is a virus suspected on your disk - contact the lab assistant to


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Each test consists of a testing algorithm, a microprocessor cache setting of either on or off, and a test

pattern. Each algorithm is designed to identify a certain type of memory error. The algorithms are

combined with different microprocessor cache settings and test patterns to identify different types of

errors

http://support.microsoft.com

How to restore Windows XP to a previous

state
http://support.microsoft.com/http://support.microsoft.com/http://support.microsoft.com/


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2. Use one of the appropriate steps, depending on the result.o If the Date and Time Properties dialog box appears, you are already logged on as an

administrator. Click Cancel to close the Date and TimeProperties dialog box.

o If you receive the following message, you are not logged on as an administrator.

How to use System Restore to restore Windows XP to a previous state

To use System Restore to restore Windows XP to a previous state, follow these steps:

1. Log on to Windows as an administrator.2. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click

System Restore.


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4. On the Confirm Restoration Undo page, click Next. System Restore restores the originalWindows XP configuration and then restarts the computer.

5. Log on to the computer as an administrator. The System Restore Undo Complete page appears.

6. Click OK. You can now run System Restore again from a different restore point.

How to start the System Restore tool by using

the safe mode option with the Command

prompt in Windows XP

This article describes how to start the System Restore tool in safe mode by using the Command prompt

(SAFEBOOT_OPTION=Minimal(AlternateShell)). This option is used when you cannot start Windows XP.

System Restore is a tool that automatically monitors and records any changes that are made to the core

Windows system files and to the registry. If a change causes your system to become unstable, System

Restore can undo (or "roll back") the system to a point in time when your computer was known to

function correctly.

More information

How to start System Restore by using the Command prompt

Note You must be logged on to Windows with a user account that is a computer administrator to

complete these steps.

If a new program has made your computer behave unpredictably, and uninstalling the newprogram did not help, you can try the Windows XP System Restore tool.


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Important If you have not previously set a restore point in System Restore, you cannot restore

your computer to a previous state. If you are not sure, or if you have not previously set a restore

point, contact Support.

To start System Restore using the Command prompt, follow these steps:

1. Restart your computer, and then press and hold F8 during the initial startup to start yourcomputer in safe mode with a Command prompt.

2. Use the arrow keys to select the Safe mode with a Command prompt option.3. If you are prompted to select an operating system, use the arrow keys to select the

appropriate operating system for your computer, and then press ENTER.

4. Log on as an administrator or with an account that has administrator credentials.5. At the command prompt, type %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe, and then press

ENTER.

6. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore your computer to a functionalstate.

A description of the Safe Mode Boot options

in Windows XP

This article discusses the several Safe Boot options that Windows supports. These options load a

minimal set of drivers. You can use these options to start Windows so that you can modify the registry

or load or remove drivers.

More information

To use a Safe Boot option, follow these steps:

1. Restart your computer and start pressing the F8 key on your keyboard. On a computer that isconfigured for booting to multiple operating systems, you can press the F8 key when the Boot

Menu appears.

2. Select an option when the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, and then press ENTER.3. When the Boot menu appears again, and the words "Safe Mode" appear in blue at the bottom,

select the installation that you want to start, and then press ENTER.

Description of Safe Boot options

Safe Mode (SAFEBOOT_OPTION=Minimal): This option uses a minimal set of device drivers andservices to start Windows.

Safe Mode with Networking (SAFEBOOT_OPTION=Network): This option uses a minimal set ofdevice drivers and services to start Windows together with the drivers that you must have to

load networking.

Safe Mode with Command Prompt (SAFEBOOT_OPTION=Minimal(AlternateShell)): This option isthe same as Safe mode, except that Cmd.exe starts instead of Windows Explorer.


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this point. In this case, when sufficient disk space is freed, System Restore starts to monitor the

system again. At this point, it creates an automatic System Checkpoint.

Note If you have a multiple-partition computer with a drive that has almost no free space, this

drive may cause System Restore to stop responding all across the system and to delete restore

points. However, this only occurs if you have reached the minimum disk space that is allowed

and if you perform operations on monitored file types. Examples of such operations are

upgrading, uninstalling or installing programs, moving, and deleting or renaming files. If your

drive has almost no free space but you only perform operations on non-monitored files, System

Restore does not stop responding.

You manually turn System Restore off.o If you manually turn System Restore off on the system drive, all restore points are

deleted, and you receive the following warning message:

You have chosen to turn off System Restore. If you continue, all existing restore points

will be deleted, and you will not be able to track and undo changes to your computer.

Do you want to turn off System Restore?

Yes No

o If you manually turn System Restore off on any non-system drive, all restore points onthat specific drive are deleted, and you receive the following warning message:

You have chosen to turn off System Restore on this drive. If you continue, you will not

be able to track or undo harmful changes on this drive.

Do you want to turn off System Restore on this drive?

Yes No

When you turn System Restore on again on the system drive, it immediately creates a SystemCheckpoint. When you turn System Restore on again on a non-system drive, it does not

immediately create a restore point on that drive, but monitoring resumes immediately on the

drive.

You upgrade from one operating system to another or you reinstall the operating system. Theupgrade might be from Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition to Windows XP or from

Windows XP to Windows XP.

After you run the Setup program, you will have to run System Checkpoint, but the restore points

you had under the previous operating system are gone. Windows does not let you return to an

older version of the operating system by using System Restore.

Note When you upgrade, you might still see some restore point files and folders in the :\System Volume Information in Windows XP or under the :\_RESTORE

folder in Windows Millennium Edition. However, these restore points are obsolete and cannot

be used as they do not appear on the Select a Restore Point list on the System Restore page.

If you start the Disk Cleanup utility and you click the Disk Cleanup tab, a System Restore:


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Obsolete Data Stores entry is available. These are files that were created before Windows was

reformatted or reinstalled. They are obsolete and you can delete them. If you choose to clean

up and delete these files, you will no longer see them under the folders that are mentioned

earlier in this article, and the option to delete obsolete data stores will no longer appear on the

Disk Cleanup utility.

You start the Disk Cleanup utility, click the More Options tab, and then click Clean up underSystem Restore. When you do this, all restore points (except the most recent one) are deleted.

You are running low on disk space, but not so low that System Restore stops performing. SystemRestore deletes some of the restore points, but not all of them. This occurs because System

Restore uses a First In First Out (FIFO) process to decrease the size of the data store to

approximately 75 percent of its maximum size when the data store reaches approximately 90

percent of its maximum size. The maximum size may be the default size, or it may be set by the

user. System Restore performs this deletion regardless of how much disk space you have.

A restore point reaches an age of 90 days. The restore point is then deleted because 90 days isthe default time to live.

You manually reduce the data store size. This triggers the FIFO process to delete some restorepoints to accommodate the newly-resized data store.

MORE INFORMATION

System Restore uses the FIFO process on restore points consistently across drives and always deletes full

restore points. System Restore keeps restore point information about all drives. So when one drive

causes System Restore to use the FIFO process on restore points because of low disk space, the restore

point information is deleted on all drives. For additional information, see the following Microsoft

Knowledge Base articles:

The System Restore Utility May Be

Suspended on a System Drive Even ThoughThere Is Enough Disk Space

SYMPTOMS

When you examine the settings for the System Restore utility, you may observe that System Restore is

suspended even though you have enough free disk space on the system drive. If you attempt to start

System Restore, you may receive the following message:

System Restore is suspended because there is not enough disk space available on the system drive (drive

letter). To restart System Restore, ensure at least 200 megabytes (MB) of free disk space are available

on this drive.

Do you want to start Disk Cleanup to free more disk space now?

Yes No


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CAUSE

This behavior can occur when the following conditions are true:

A drive that is not a system drive that has System Restore enabled on it has reached less than 50MB of free disk space.

A copy, delete, modify operation was made to a file that is monitored by System Restore onsuch drive.

This will cause System Restore to suspend across the system.

RESOLUTION

To work around this behavior, use either of the following two methods:

Method 1

If the drive that is running low on disk space does not need to be monitored, disable System Restore on

that drive:

1. On the System Properties dialog box, click the System Restore tab.2. Under Drive Settings, click Available drives to select the appropriate drive.3. Click Settings.4. Click to select the Turn off System Restore on this drive check box.5. Click OK, and then click OK on the System Properties dialog box.

Method 2

Start the Disk Cleanup tool and free up to 200 MB of space on the drive that has caused the problem.

You can also free that space by deleting unnecessary files, folders, or programs from the drive.

If you have freed at least 200 MB of disk space, the status of System Restore may be displayed as

"Suspended" on the System Restore user interface. This behavior is by design as System Restore, by

default, waits for 15 minutes after you have freed the disk space before System Restore restarts. After

you have freed up the disk space, you can start System Restore to immediately restore its monitoring

function on your computer if you click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, click System Tools,

and then click System Restore.

How the System Restore Tool Handles Hard-

Disk Space UsageSUMMARY

This articles describes how the System Restore tool handles hard-disk space usage, particularly where

low disk-space issues are concerned.


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uninstall some programs and create more space on the hard disk.

You receive "low disk space" warning messages from Disk Cleanup when your disks become low on

space and System Restore protection is at risk. If you choose to ignore the messages at the 200 MB

threshold and become critically low on disk space, you will continue to receive the messages and

warning messages at approximately 80 MB and 50 MB of free disk space.

On non-system drives, you receive the warning, but not the additional warnings, after starting DCU.

Balloon Messages

You will receive various balloon messages regarding disk space. These include the following.

At 200 MB of free disk space:

Low Disk Space

You are running out of disk space on Local Disk (drive letter). To free space on this drive by deleting old

or unnecessary files, click here...

At 80 MB and 50 MB of remaining free disk space:

Low Disk Space

You are running very low on disk space on Local Disk (drive letter). To free space on this drive by deleting

old or unnecessary files, click here...

Warning Messages

You will receive various warning messages regarding disk space. These include the following.

At 200-MB threshold of free disk space:

Your Windows drive has only (amountMB) of free disk space available.

It is recommended to have at least a minimum of 200 MB free on your Windows drive to ensure system

reliability. You can free even more disk space by removing programs that you do not use.

Would you like to do that now?

At 80-MB threshold of free disk space:Your Windows Drive has only (amountMB) of free disk space available. This is a critically low

amount of disk space. If you do not free at least 200 MB, on this drive, System Restore may notbe able to track or undo harmful changes to your computer. You can free even more disk space

by removing programs that you do not use. Would you like to do that now?

Note If the system reaches less than 80 MB of free hard-disk space, and you try to start SystemRestore, you receive the following message:


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System Restore

You do not have sufficient free disk space on the system drive (drive letter:\) to perform arestore. Please free at least 80 MB of disk space on this drive.

Do you want to start Disk Cleanup to free more disk space now?

At the 50-MB threshold of free disk space:Your Windows Drive has only (amountMB) of free disk space available. This is a critically lowamount of disk space. System Restore has suspended tracking changes to your computer because

there is not enough disk space available. This means that System Restore will not be able to undo

harmful changes if they occur. To reactivate System Restore, free at least 200 MB of disk space.You can free even more disk space by removing programs that you do not use.

Would you like to do that now?

Note If you ignore the warning, the next time that you try to start System Restore, you receive

the following message:System Restore is suspended because there is not enough disk space available on the system

drive (drive letter). To restart System Restore, ensure that at least 200 MB of free disk space are

available on this drive.Do you want to start Disk Cleanup to free more disk space now?

The Registry Keys and Values for the System

Restore Utility

MORE INFORMATION

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry.

However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that

you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then,you can restore the registry if a problem occurs.

In the registry, you can modify many values for System Restore. However, it is recommended that you

use the user interface whenever possible to configure System Restore, as you may be unable to reverse

the changes you made in the registry, which can place your computer into an unstable condition.

In Windows XP, there are three registry keys that you can use to modify System Restore:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\SrThis key is related to the System Restore filter. This key and its values must not be be modified

under any circumstances as any modifications can cause the operating system to malfunction.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\SrserviceThis key is related to the System Restore service. This key and its values must not be be modified

under any circumstances as any modifications can cause the operating system to malfunction.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\SystemRestore


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In this registry key, you can modify some DWORD values. However, in this key, there are some

values that must not be modified under any circumstances.

Values That Can Be Modified Without Risk of Harm to the Computer

CompressionBurst

This value, listed in seconds, specifies the idle time compression: The amount of time to

compress data after the computer reaches its idle time. A service can compress data for the

amount of time that is specified in this value, and then stop. Then, at the next idle time

compression, the computer can repeat the process.

DiskPercentThis value relates to the percentage of disk space that System Restore uses for its data store.

The default value is 12 percent. The data store size is always calculated as "max(12 percent,

DSMax)," regardless of the size of the hard disk. The maximum (max) size is what is specified in

DSMax. For hard disk sizes that are less than 4 gigabytes (GB) in size, 12 percent is less than 400

megabytes (MB), so "max(12 percent, DSMax) equals 400 MB." For hard disk sizes that are

greater than 4 GB, 12 percent is greater than 400 MB, so "max(12 percent, DSMax) equals 12

percent." This data store size is not a reserved disk space, and the data store size is used only on

demand.

DSMaxThis value specifies the maximum size for the System Restore data store. The default size of the

data store is 400 MB. The data store size is always calculated as "max(12 percent, DSMax),"

regardless of the size of the hard disk. The maximum (max) size is what is specified in DSMax.

For hard disk sizes that are less than 4 GB, 12 percent is less than 400 MB, so "max(12 percent,

DSMax) equals 400 MB." For hard disk sizes that are greater than 4 GB, 12 percent is greater

than 400 MB, so "max(12 percent, DSMax) equals 12 percent." This data store size is not areserved disk space, and the data store size is used only on demand.

DSMinThis value relates to the minimum amount of free disk space that System Restore needs so that

it can function during the installation process. Also, this value relates to the minimum amount of

free disk space that is needed for System Restore to reactivate and to resume the creation of

restore points after System Restore has been disabled because of low disk space.

RestoreStatusThis value specifies if the last restore operation failed (0), succeeded (1), or had been

interrupted (2).

RPGlobalIntervalThis value specifies, in seconds, the amount of time that System Restore waits before it creates

the automatic computer check points for elapsed time. The default value is 24 hours.

RPLifeIntervalThis value specifies, in seconds, the restore points Time to Live (TTL). When a restore point


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Documents

Memory Test in Windows XP