virtual memory to low.

[lonely]

I own Windows XP Prof, and computer getting slow opening pages etc.
warning notice pop up telling me virtual memory low.
what can I do to put this right.

lonely.

 

[andysayshi]

It sounds like your hrd drive may be approaching full. How much free space on your system drive? (That's typically the C: drive)

 

[_AJ_]

Get an external HD if you want a new one

its just easier

 

[hunky]

Maybe upgrading the memory itself would improve the vitural one? That is my guess.

 

[mike_n_herrin]

If you are in fact running low are hard drive space, and I would expect you probably are, try downloading and running the free CCleaner application here: http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/ However, if you are really low on hard drive space, keep in mind this is just one more program that will take up more room. But the upside is that it generally it can free up more space than it takes up.

You can also do some manual cleaning up yourself. open up "my computer" right click on your hard drive (usually drive C), then select properties. there will be a "disk cleanup" button under the pie graph showing you how much space you have used and how much you have left on your drive. it might take several seconds or a minute to calculate, but once it does, you can usually safely remove things like: temporary internet files, stuff in your recycle bin, temporary files, and webclient/publisher temporary files. you shouldn't delete "compress old files" because those are likely files you use but just haven't for a long time. you can also click the "more options" tab and clean up the system restore, by removing all but your most recent restore point. this is usually safe, if you don't use system restore very often.

 

[mike_n_herrin]

Hey folks, new info. He has less than 256 MB of ram. So i'm thinking the low ram is causing windows to use the hard drive a lot and that is part of his problem. so i'm recommending he upgrade his ram first...although i don't know what type of ram he needs yet. i'm having him download cpu-z to see if it can ID his mainboard and ram type. his computer i think was built by a now out of business local computer shop so i don't think it's a name brand computer.

 

[lonely]

Thank you all for the tech info I am now looking more into this and if I am sorted out I will let you know what I have done. The shop I got this computer has closed and I was/am thinking of buyin new WXP.Prof computer just for fun and surfin,playin music etc. I live UK.
Again THANK YOU ALL,
Lonely.

 

[mike_n_herrin]

ok more info

lonely has a K7S41 GX motherboard. Looks like he has one 256 MB chip with 60 MB of it shared with his onboard graphics card (for 196 MB available to windows xp). he has 2 slots and his motherboard supports up to 2 GB. I'm recommending he upgrade his memory, with at least one more 256 MB ram chip. Noelie, he's in your neck of the woods, so maybe you could recommend someplace for him to go to get memory and maybe having them install it?

from his motherboard manual (page 5) his board can support
K7S41GX: PC2700 (DDR333) / PC2100 (DDR266), Max. 2GB

here is the info from cpuz

motherboard model. K7S41 GX/
BOIS.Brand American Megatrends Inc.
Version P2.oo.
Date. 10.28.2004.
Memory slot. 256. module size.
Bandwith PC1200(133 MHz)
Manufacture Kingston.
Part no. KVR266X64|C25/256.
Serial 91391713.
Date Wk 52. year 04.
Processor name AMD Sempron
Codename Thorougbread.
Packet Socket A (462)
Spec. AMD Sempron(tm)2400


do you guys think upgrading his memory will get rid of the low virtual memory problem, or is that solely going to be related to hard drive space? my thought was that with more real memory windows wouldn't be going to the hard drive as much and so he wouldn't get that error ...as much?

what do you guys think?

 

[trawler69]

I think, for what it is worth, that checking the swap file settings as Noelie suggested as a first step and then upgrading the Ram if that doesn't solve it. 196 MB is not a lot for xp pro. In the uk I use Scan pc2700 256 MB £15.03 + carriage PC 2100 £13.?? + carriage. Regarding fitting it borrow a nephew of niece or some young child they should be able to do it

 

[trawler69]

Thanks for that Noelie. Have just checked them out on 1 gig flash usb sticks And they are £1.00 more than Scan also £1.00 more on 256 meg ddr PC2700 memory although I am sure on other things they may be cheaper. Delivery charge is a factor as well especially with low value items. Scan is next day @ £4.99 but you can have multiple items for this charge. How much is crucial? to avoid me having to take stuff through to "checkout"

EDIT: On a further check I see he can get a 512 meg upgrade from Scan for £18.32 or for £32.89 from Crucial both DDR PC2700.

 

[lonely]

Noelie. Hi I live in Belfast,N.Ireland, and have read with real intrest what your sayin, can you put me intouch with store in Belfast that can sort me out with my problem.
I also would like to thank you ALL for this information and will try and sort things out here and will let you all know what I have done.
lonely.

 

[trawler69]

Sorry now I don't want to get into a 'mine is better than yours' situation I'm just trying to flesh this out cos I have two lots of memory to buy in the next few weeks and if I can get a good deal from somewhere else I will.

So originally I was a bit put off by the use of 'value' on the Scan website and they don't actually have the memory I'd be looking for whereas Crucial do but if they had it they'd be quite a lot cheaper (up to 20 sterling). Would you go into the more technical specs for memory trawler like latency etc.?

Crucial; 2GB kit (1GBx2), 200-pin SODIMM, DDR2 PC2-5300 memory module
£54.04 inc. VAT
DDR2 PC2-5300 • CL=5 • UNBUFFERED • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 • 1.8V • 128Meg x 64

Scan: 2GB (2x1GB) Corsair Value Select, DDR2 SO-DIMM PC2-5300 (667), 200 Pin, Non-ECC Unbuffered
£46.45 Inc VAT

I had to do some digging around for the specs of the Scan module - it turns out the latency is 5 as well so there's no real difference between the two - except the price - and they don't have it stock - harumph!

Never any intention of a mine is better than yours. I like the idea that Crucial can help you determine what you have got and on doing further research there are some products on which there is little to choose in the price. I have not had any probs with the "value select memory" have bought maybe 4 or 5 modules from Scan and no probs. Customer service is superb you get emails or sms at 4 point of your order and a city link tracking number for the final delivery.

They do have very rapid stock turn over and I am sure if you were to place an order they would give you an estimated delivery time that would be pretty accurate. The reason I recommend them is that the company I used to work for used them and I always try and find someone cheaper, but for once the company had got it right and now I use them but any alternatives I really welcome, believe me. I will never waste money through stupid pride or advocate that anyone else should do so.

 

[mike_n_herrin]

Norn Iron eh?

I'm afraid I don't know of any bricks & mortar stores up there - I used to visit Belfast quite a lot and there was a really good PC store towards the college end of Great Victoria Street (Fisherwick Place/College Square East) on the right hand side as you're heading up to Wellington Place. I buy almost everything I need online now and I use a temporary credit card system. I'd recommend that online store that trawler mentioned as they're definitely cheaper than the one I had been using.

http://www.scan.co.uk/

oh bugger. i was hopping noelie would know one. i think lonely would really like someone to do the installation for him, so i recommended a real store where he could go in hand them the specs on his computer and type of memory he has and can get, and have them also put it in for him. as opposed to the online thing.

 

[mike_n_herrin]

well i checked yahoo...and i found some local computer stores, but i sure don't know anything about their reputations. i think there are like 19 that say they are in your area. if noelie doesn't recognize the one he used to know, lonely you can maybe just try giving which ever store is closet to you a call and check on prices.

Computer Connections
028 9032 4633
191 Donegall Street
Belfast BT1 2FJ
54.604698 -5.931412

D P Group
028 9050 0883
58 Howard Street
Belfast BT1 6PJ
54.595783 -5.934066

Os Systems (Ni) Ltd
028 9074 1818
101/102 Midland Building Whitla Street
Belfast BT15 1JP
54.610741 -5.9203

Softsign Uk
028 9050 9400
8 Ormeau Business Park, Cromac Avenue
Belfast BT7 2JA
54.591839 -5.926044

M M Pc's
028 9032 4832
256 Shankill Road
Belfast BT13 2BL

Wombat Financial Software Ltd
028 9026 2910
46 Botanic Avenue
Belfast BT7 1JR

Sulby Solutions
028 9020 2040
275 Woodstock Road
Belfast BT6 8PR
54.590473 -5.902333

Help Computer Centre
028 9065 3846
73 A Belmont Road
Belfast BT4 2AA
54.600193 -5.875691

Fujitsu
028 9047 4200
110-112 Holywood Road
Belfast BT4 1NU
54.59959 -5.88274

Barron & Mccann Ltd
028 9070 9394
Alanbrooke Road, Alanbrooke Park Industrial Estate
Belfast BT6 9HB
54.580051 -5.88813

Tri Tec Computers Support Ltd
028 9078 1681
West Bank Business Park, West Bank Drive
Belfast BT3 9LA
54.63168 -5.89292

Microtronics
028 9066 0944
Osborne Drive
Belfast BT9 6LH
54.57098 -5.95668

Cam Computer Services
028 9080 3804
54 Riverwood House Newforge Lane
Belfast BT9 5NW
54.558331 -5.94674

Kos Computers
028 9061 9687
301 Work West Enterprise Centre Glen Road, Andersonstown
Belfast BT11 8BU
54.577049 -6.01204

Unique Computer Solutions
028 9084 0101
32 Mallusk Drive, Mallusk Enterprise Park
Newtownabbey BT36 4GN
54.6712 -5.98067

Barrada Computers
028 9093 1000
3 Oaklands Meadow
Newtownabbey BT37 0XN
54.693748 -5.91273

Proserve
028 9087 0400
20 Church Road
Holywood BT18 9BU
54.641418 -5.83274

Scs Plus
028 9335 0145
8 Meadowbank Road
Carrickfergus BT38 8YF
54.709919 -5.84101

Equinox
028 9262 8850
Ballinderry Road
Lisburn BT28 2SA
54.512669 -6.0763

 

[lonely]

Hi All. You are very kind to help me sort this thing out so now I have added more
memory and my computer is a lot faster. This was a Teach thing I just didnt understand and do have a book that helps me with problems myself.
So THANK YOU ALL.
lonely