MoreMem 4.0

Richard Price

If you are being plagued by "insufficient memory to run" messages every time you try and run a few programs under windows, this is probably a program worth looking at.

Basically MoreMem 4.0 works by forcing DLLs out of DOS memory, where they usually load and into extended memory. This ensures Windows programs have the maximum amount of DOS memory space to use.

Before loading it onto my 486 dx4 100 with 20mb of ram, I did a little test. I managed to open up 7 programs - QuarkXpress, Pagemaker, Corel Draw, Corel Photo-paint, Corel Show, Corel Move and Corel Trace - before an "insufficient memory to run" message came up.

I then installed my 14 day evaluation copy. This consisted of one 1.44 disk and a 24 page manual. The automatic installation created the necessary program group and icons. It was quick and easy.

Not wanting to waste time, I started at the top. I put MoreMem 4.0 on its maximum setting and started opening programs. I only managed to open eight of them. The seven I had previously opened, plus Word for Windows 2.0. before getting an "insufficient memory to run" message.

I felt a little disappointed. Sure, no one multi tasks with 100 programs, but I was hoping for a more significant improvement.

Technically minded people may be able to tweak a better performance out of it, I didn't see the point.

The program comes with TopBar, small resource indicator. This displays the time, date, DOS memory, system memory, GDI resources and USER resources. It also acts as a task switcher displaying the icon of each running application. Actually, it only displays icons for the first seven applications you open. It is useful to be able to open a program with only one click, but I found the icons a little to small.

MoreMem 4.0 also has an uninstall feature. You would think clicking on this button would automatically remove the whole thing from your system. Well, it doesn't.

You still have to manually remove the icons and program group. If a simple routine like that cannot work efficiently, you really have to question the sincerity of the whole program.

PC User Magazine rated this program 9 out of ten and gave them a Gold award. To quote from their review, "MoreMem 4.0 is very useful. It may be able to stretch the life span of an existing machine that is running Windows 3.x by several months, and it helps user productivity".

Several months! Are we really reduced to buying software that is only going to last several months?

If you are struggling with a network you may find MoreMem 4.0 useful.

But don't buy it. Get a free 14 day evaluation copy.

In two weeks time, when you find the whole industry has changed yet again, or you realise the program is useless, you can hit the uninstall button.

After all, the manual clearly states, there is no warranty the software will meet your requirements or that operation will be error free.

Distributed by Accurate Technology Australia. Telephone (03) 9500 1443 or fax (03) 9500 1305.

RRP is AU$90.00, but this varies depending on the amount of units bought.

By Richard Price, Editor, EnergyME.com

For information on getting a product reviewed email richard@energyme.com