Runtime error 203 is a problem you are probably unfortunate enough to have experienced, if you’re reading this article.  Don’t worry–it probably doesn’t spell immanent disaster for your computer.  At least not yet it doesn’t.

Runtime error 203 may simply stem from a problem with the particular program you’re running.  Nevertheless, it might also say something about your system’s integrity as a whole.  Read below to find out information about its symptoms, causes, and cures.

Runtime Error 203 Symptoms

• You receive a message stating, “Your computer is low on memory, save your documents and close all programs.” If you don’t close everything up, it’s very likely that you’ll get an error message and your computer will slow down considerably.  (Your computer was probably already running slower than usual.)
• Your computer slows down right before you receive the error message. This is typical of many runtime errors.  This is not unusual, so it doesn’t mean that your problem necessarily originates from malicious software like viruses (although they could be a factor).
• You get the runtime error 203 message, then whatever software you were running at the time shuts down. This can be highly frustrating.  When the problem is this or the above, however, you may get off easy because it’s probably just a problem with the software.  However, you may also have a problem with your registry.
• Your computer displays the “Runtime Error 203″ message, then crashes. This is a great big red flag out of nowhere.  If this happens, then it’s seriously time to think about uninstalling the program, then running anti-virus software and a registry scan.

Where do these memory problems comes from?

Runtime error 203 is typically a memory-related problem and can come from a variety of sources.

• You have a copy of the test or beta version of certain software.  You may have gotten the program by mistake, or downloaded it from a torrent site.  Unless you bought the program directly from a merchant, there’s a good chance you have a beta version.  There’s also a good chance that:
  • You have spyware on your computer.  This error usually comes from too little memory being available to complete the current tasks on your computer.  You’ll do yourself a favor if you run a check for viruses and spyware on your computer.

• You have registry errors.  Most computers do.  At the very least, a large amount of files is left over from software updates and bad uninstalls.

If you’ve got (or have ever had) spyware or viruses on your computer, then they have probably left behind files in the registry that may be slowing your computer down.  Run a free scan for runtime error 203 and keep your registry in shape.

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The bad news is that Windows 2000 Professional is no longer supported by Microsoft.  That means that they no longer create service packs that will help you overcome the common problems that cause your system crash.  Other solutions can keep your system running well.

Run Windows 2000 Professional in Safe Mode
One of the most accurate ways to figure out just what is wrong with your system is to boot the machine in Safe Mode.

• Check the boot log file, NtBtlog.txt.
• Write down the drivers and programs that didn’t load when you started the computer.
• You can find this log in the System Root folder.
• Once you have identified the faulty systems, you may be able to dig up reasonable solutions for your problems.

Online Bulletin Boards Have Windows 2000 Info
Because there are a seemingly endless number of people interested in keeping older systems running, bulletin boards abound online with helpful and not so helpful advice.

Common errors like DLL or a Virtual device driver fail are relatively straightforward to repair.  These errors occur when you add a new piece of software, and it corrupts the VDD value.  You can go into the operating system and correct the value by removing the corrupt one and inserting the proper value.

More complicated errors such as unreliable performance on a multi-booting system are harder to address.  Repartitioning the drive and putting each system in a separate partition can help, but involves some expertise and time.

FASTFAT errors are usually memory related, not the result of a corrupt driver.  Replacing the faulty memory with a known reliable card may solve the problem without needing a complete system overhaul or recovery.

Registry Cleaners to the Rescue
I’ve got to tell you; just the idea of trying to run anything but the simplest repair on my computer gives me palpitations.  I am certain I will do something that will make my data irretrievable or corrupt.  I know many other people in the same boat.

What we do is opt for downloading a good registry cleaner and let it figure out what is wrong and how to fix it.  A registry cleaner will find and eliminate problematic drivers, remove dysfunctional bits of old programs and in general clean things up.  Optimize Windows Professional 2000 with a registry cleaner to run fast and reliably.

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Is there such a thing as a “memory overload” in PCs?

If my own memory serves me right, I think I’ve already mentioned around four to five times that the best upgrade that your PC could ever get is by adding a few RAM modules in it. It’s definitely better than changing your unit’s graphics card or even processor.

This doesn’t mean that you should drain all your coffers for RAMs that rival your hard drive in terms of size. Too much of anything is not good, and this holds true with PC upgrades. Your unit’s motherboard may be able to handle 40GB of memory, but your OS may not.

The 32-bit editions of Windows XP and Vista cannot hold or use memory in excess of 4GB. It would be a waste if you’ll insist on attaching extra RAM modules on your unit if it’s running under Microsoft operating systems that are built on a 32-bit architecture. Unless your PC is running on a 64-bit version of XP or Vista, don’t increase your computer’s cranial capacity to more than 4GB.

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Even before Vista was released, experts have already warned about the operating system’s appetite for RAM. Indeed, it’s the most demanding program as far as system resources are concerned. 2GB would usually already suffice for Microsoft’s latest OS. However, you might be in for a surprise when you take a peek at your system’s gauges.

Being the OC that I am with regard to system performance, I usually check on the meters as to how my PC is doing. Upon checking my RAM, I was surprised to discover that only a tiny fraction of it was left available. I nearly panicked, thinking that one or both my SIMM modules are either defective or totally went dead on me.

Before rushing to the phone to call my RAM maker’s customer service hotline, I decided to pour ice-cold water on my simmering fear and anxiety first by researching on the problem. I was only a few pages on Vista’s guidebook when I discovered that the OS has a unique way of handling Alzheimer’s. A lot of RAM was still left in my PC after all. What happened was Vista just placed the unused memory space in a cache labeled as SuperFetch.

SuperFetch allocates memory space to programs or processes as they need them. This ensures that each kilobyte is used to its fullest. This is definitely better than leaving memory to rot in idleness.

So the next time you check on your RAM meter, don’t be surprised if you see that you only have a few megabytes left to burn even if you’re not running any program at all. But this doesn’t mean that you can be complacent when your system slows down. Don’t just blame it on the possibility that SuperFetch might be conking out on you. Consider every possible problem. Who knows, your PC’s slowdown might really be caused by a bad memory module.

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Many predict that 2008 will be the year when laptops would finally succeed in their bid to dethrone desktops as the PC of choice. I agree.

For two decades, the desktop has lorded over almost all conceivable machines which could read and process electronic data. It was supposed to be the “future” of data processing. Everybody thought that the size and shape of the PC would not change significantly for generations to come.

Small Enough?

It’s not difficult to see why many didn’t dismiss the desktop as something that’s only transitional. Back when hard disks were still as big as cupboards, many wished for a computer that could easily fit one’s bedroom without having to throw out everything in it, including the bed. It took several decades before that prayer was answered. When IBM came out with a design that perfectly fitted study and office tables, many fostered the conviction that this was what a computer should look like and that any alteration of its structure would considerably diminish its appeal and even functionality.

Of course, being the only constant thing in this world aside from politics, change redefined the looks and functions of the PC. The world shrunk, and time became a very expensive commodity. Everything has to be done fast. While the term “multitasking” was already popular even during the days of Windows 3.1, the word took on a whole new different meaning a decade after the IT industry had started to blabber it as if it was a cuss word.

Run Run Run

As we all know, recent operating systems allow the juggling of different tasks, functions, or programs. Depending on the amount of memory and the type of processor that your computer have, large applications like CAD or multimedia programs could run side by side with other software. Nobody now asks if one could perform several things at the same time on a computer. The question has already been answered a long time ago.

Now that programs could already be ran simultaneously in a single computer, the question that was next asked is if one could still run all of them while he is actually running. As I have intimated a while back, everybody seems to be running after time and running out of it. Eight hours seem to be just eight minutes. It’s not surprising then when people started to wish that they could bring and do their tasks even when they’re out of the office.

Personal Accessory

To inaccurately borrow the words of the HP slogan, laptops made personal computers personal again. While mainframes exponentially shrunk to desktop size, it still isn’t exactly personal and portable as your watch or mobile phone. You simply can’t bring it anywhere, well at least not conveniently.

Everybody is maximizing the use of his or her time. It’s not surprising then if people treat travel time as an extension of their office hours. Laptops are not just becoming more affordable, but more importantly, they are also making time an affordable commodity. Don’t be surprised, then, if laptop sales exceed desktop purchases this year.

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