Virtual Memory

[craft1948]

For the last 2 days I have kept getting a warning flag that my virtual memory is low - what should I do please?

[ChuckFickens]

click start and right click on "my computer" and select properties and tell us how much ram your computer has.

[craft1948]

512 mb

[craft1948]

chuck come back - I had to answer the door......

[ChuckFickens]

increasing the amount of physical memory in your computer would probably help the situation. 512mb is the bare minimum for windows and once it runs out of real memory it has to use virtual memory. (and it would make quite a speed difference to the computer)

I'd recommend fitting at least another 512mb of ram (or 1gb would be even better and hardly any more money)

there is a system scanner here that will tell you what type you need, don't buy it from here though, you can get it other places far cheaper.

http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/

[ChuckFickens]

oh in the mean time run a full scan with your anti virus software and any anti spyware software you have as it may be spyware filling up your memory. but I'd still recommend more ram.

[craft1948]

hi chuck - I've run the scan and it suggests removing the existing 512mb memory and installing 2gb of new memory for �91.98....

[ChuckFickens]

adding an extra 512mb or 1gb would be fine and should cost you no more than about �20

what sort of memory does it suggest you buy, and what does it say about whats in there at the momnet?

[craft1948]

I'm not sure I understand - it looks like at the moment I have 512Mb split into 2 banks and that the maximum each memory slot on my computer can hold is 1Gb.

Currently installed memory:



256MBDDR PC2700 256MB

Each memory slot can hold DDR PC2700 with a maximum of 1GB per slot.*



*Not to exceed manufacturer supported memory.
Maximum Memory Capacity: 2048MB
Currently Installed Memory: 512MB
Available Memory Slots: 0
Number of Banks: 2
Dual Channel Support: No
CPU Manufacturer: GenuineIntel
CPU Family: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz Model 2, Stepping 9
CPU Speed: 2992 MHz

[craft1948]

don't know if this will work.....

http://www.crucial.com/uk/systemscanner/****** ******.aspx?id=2BEBF36531D926C3

[craft1948]

no it doesn't - I was trying to post the link to the scan result

[ChuckFickens]

it didn't :)

here is an example

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1GB-PC2700-DDR-Memory-RA M-DDR333-333MHz-128x8-Dimm-UK_W0QQitemZ3601392 23922QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_ComputerC omponents_MemoryRAM_JN?hash=item360139223922&_ trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690|66%3A2 |65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1308

ooo that was a long link!!

anyhow, I don't recommend this seller in any way, that was just a cheap one on ebay.

amazon are doing 1gb for about �30

do a search for DDR PC2700 on either amazon or ebay or any other site you feel like trying but ignore anything that says either SODIMM or says it's for a laptop (yours is a desktop isn't it???)

[craft1948]

no it's a laptop chuck....

[craft1948]

actually I might get a new desktop as I would like a bigger screen (the old eyesight is going) can you recommend one. I don't actually store much on the hard drive as I use my PC mostly for the internet although I do keep my photos on there but I can store these on CD

[ChuckFickens]

LOL.... ok then look for ram that does say it's either a SODIMM or for laptops, the price is about the same.

to be honest the only stuff I work with in the way of desktops are HP and dell, both of which I would recommend and for just average home use get the cheapest you can, it will be plenty good enough, and pretty much any modern desktop will have a far larger hard drive than you currently have so you would have no problem with that at all.

[craft1948]

thanks for all your help chuck - it's much appreciated

[johnpol78]

check the memory of the computer.
right click on the my computer select the properties.

select the advanced tab

and than select the virtual memory settings.

check the memory of the computer and set it as

minimum the total one and half of the memory
just like 512 so you can set as 733

and in the maximum as three times of the total memory.

click on ok.

restart the computer.

follow the above steps.

[craft1948]

sorry john - I am computer illiterate

went into where you said and in virtual memory setting it says;

C.....768-1536
space available 43941Mb
initial size 768
maximum size 1536

total paging size for all drives
Min allowed 2Mb
recommended 765 Mb
currently allocated 766 Mb

what exactly have I to alter?
many thanks for any help.....