How to reset free memory to the highest

Question

I sometimes restart Tiger to reset the "Free" memory (RAM) higher.
Is there a way to reset this without restarting?
I have 768 MB DDR SDRAM 1/4 of which is used once restarted. After a while of use, it never gets back to a 1/4. With no user apps open it can be as high as half used (My human memory seems to think it is near 1/2). So I restart to claim back the 1/4. Is there another way to clean out the processes that are using up resources?
ALSO
If I use widgets, they not only take up memory, but seem to use CPU resources as do other applications. I clean all this by restarting. I can quit all widgets to clean that out without a restart, but clearly other things claim resources. If I burn a movie DVD and another process calls to the computer, there can be for an instant a surge on available resources. I do not mean something I activate during the burn, I mean hands off but some process which is less likely if I am burning just after a restart vs after much computer use. I am assuming it delays the feed to the recording DVD which given the burning process, clocks steady and at one speed, different than the CPU and computer resources which can compensate clocking during a process. So a restart seems to minimize bad burns. It sure seems I get no bad burns if I burn after a restart. That most occurred with burns on computer time many hours and other usage past the restart.
Is there a way to reset all or close at least the most aggressive activity, to basic without a restart? I realize there are many things that build-up though I know not all. RAM, Cache, monitoring activity, -=-any know a list of all the types of activity called to play after a good bit of computer use, different than a fresh restart?

Answer 1

10.4 is even better with on the fly exchange, virtual memory is the same. Only the "specialty" apps are accessing any type of memory management/control and they are developed at the kernel level. You'll know which one's fall into this category as they put a very big strain on your wallet. Most seem to be working fine. A 3D CAD modeling program I am familiar with is absolutely incredible yet on the same machine running Apple's own universal apps choking and sputtering. It is not Universal but Intel native and even the previous and current PPC release run great under Rosetta, it also requires a USB security device just to open the application.
Restarting is working but it shouldn't make any difference whatsoever. The reason why it is is that apps and HW are not releasing resources properly i.e other apps, files, HD's, ports, CPU's, GPU's, keyboards, track-pads etc (even after they quit) this type of resource sharing is a new thing for them. The restart is simply releasing the resources from everything. Well almost everything, FW devices as well as partitioned internal HD's seem to misbehave, slowing things down or hanging, during startup and shutting down. A common way people are finding to force their computers to see certain USB and FW devices is to plug them in prior to startup and/or launching of any apps that may want to use such devices. However, this is not a reliable fix for devices that want to launch, control or be controlled by apps. i.e. video cameras, Maxtor OneTouch HD's etc. An all new system architecture in 10.4. I believe the majority of issue with HW and SW and the incredible number of kernel panics people are experiencing across HW configurations (G4-Intel) is that there is and error in the I/O kit at the kernel level.
One thing I see that is needed to tame this beast for USB and FW devices to work properly is a System Pref such as CD's and DVD's. When you connect a FW camera: When you connect a FW Video Device: When you connect a FW MIDI Device: When You Connect a FW HD: etc. with the same exact answers like Ask what to do, Open App, Ignore, Open finder, Run script etc. A system pref like this I believe would even help smoke out the popping kernel in a heartbeat.
People should not be looking for lists of supported equipment rather a very small list of "unsupported" devices. AFAICT any device or external piece of equipment that conforms to industry standards should work regardless if the manufacturer developed "drivers" for it or not.
I have waited for an OS like this from Apple for about 10 years. No longer had the need for it 2 or so years ago and stopped having to know what's going on. Had to get back into it in March 06 as installation of 10.4 on a G4 brought it to it's knees w/ HW frying all over the place apps not working correctly, kernel panics galore. Updated to MBP and problems are worse.
Another thing I'd like to mention is that it appears that my MBP 2.16, has already become a LEGACY PRODUCT (obsolete). G5 64 bit, ICD 32(-!?), ICD2 64 bit.
If their is anyone out there that can confirm this I would appreciate it. My .Mac account expires in a few hours so I will not be able to reply here, email or chat but will respond to a board you direct me to that allows anonymous/guest posts.
I am very curious about what a newer MacBook and a G5 computer says in the System Preferences>Processors. Mainly interested in MacBooks with ICD2 and G5's but am also curious about supported late model PB G4's w Core Image support and 64+ MB VRAM.
Your machine.
What is the processor? i.e Intel Pentium M Processor
Core Freq:
Bus Freq:
L1 Cache:
L2 Cache:
Processors:(max number)
A lot of the kernel panics being posted are all referring to HW devices primarily CPU's and GPU's and other very basic internal HW. It seems the cross architecture is getting garbled in this I/O kit. Errors in the kernel aren't usually that easy to find but I think if enough people express their concerns this one may find a quick resolution as it seems to occur close to the exchange.
Thanks
FWIW