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What are System Resources?
 
System resources are a special part of memory that Windows uses to draw things on the screen, open files, and perform other menial but important and frequent tasks. System resources are important because, on Windows 95, 98 and ME, they are limited in size (in contrast, Windows NT, 2000 and XP can expand the system resources if necessary). If system resources are exhausted, your computer effectively grinds to an immediate halt. Since system resources are used for everything, the computer doesn't even have the chance to display a warning window, or take necessary steps to protect your computer. Because system resources are so precious, computers often crash when they become scarce.

There is no good way around this problem. On the aforementioned Windows versions, the amount of system resources is strictly limited. No matter how much memory you buy, or how fast your computer is, your system resources will never expand and the danger of losing them will never diminish. Unlike conventional memory, there is no way to reclaim dead system resources or compact the existing ones--the technology MemoryBoost uses to increase your memory cannot be used on system resources. No application can ever solve this problem, because system resources are managed deep inside Windows. They are so fundamental to the way Windows works, it's impossible to manage them from outside.

MemoryBoost takes steps to try to avoid crash-prone situations, when your system resources become low. It constantly monitors your system resources, and if they reach a dangerous level it will optionally notify you. MemoryBoost can immediately stop your running programs if your computer is really in danger of crashing. But the real benefit is that MemoryBoost will notify you before your computer is really in bad shape, giving you the opportunity to save your work and exit your programs before anything bad happens.

On Windows NT-based systems (Windows NT, 2000 and XP), system resources are just as important but the system can expand them as necessary. You effectively cannot run out of system resources on Windows NT-based systems.