[NerdDad]

..it only shows 248.0 MB of RAM

It's all there. Just being used by Windows. Can't remember how much mine shows but it is a little less than the 512 I have. 98SE is better than the previous versions about giving back memory. But it's not always Windows' fault. Many apps running under Windows are horrible about leaking memory. We have one at work called MetaViewer that almost always requires a reboot after use. A tidbit many folks don't realize is that the Microsoft Office Shortcut Bar takes a meg of memory just to sit on your desktop. Insane.

[TN Republican]

That stupid thing is useless. I have always named a folder as Office, placed it on my desktop, and put links to any programs I wanted in it. Once I open it in the morning, it sits in my taskbar all day long until I need to open a program from one of the shortcuts. At that time, all I do is hit Alt-TAB or click on the taskbar icon to restore it, plus, it's easier to navigate from the keyboard too.

[general_re]

Another question, if you will. When I bought my computer it had 128 MB of RAM. Told the guy to add an additional 128 MB for a total of 256. However, when I click on MY Computer->Properties->Performance, it only shows 248.0 MB of RAM. Why? Shouldn't it show 256?
...
It's all there. Just being used by Windows. Can't remember how much mine shows but it is a little less than the 512 I have.

Tut, tut - NerdDad, you overlooked the obvious explanation for why a nice, even 8 megs of system memory is "missing". I'd bet a large amount of money that 4ourprogeny has a computer with an integrated video chipset, a la the Intel 810, which is taking 8 megs of system memory and using it for video RAM.

Now turn in your pocket protector and slide rule as you leave ;)