Virtual Memory for PC - Please Help

zildjian09

our computer has windows xp and is a few years old. recently it has been saying that it is low on virtual memory and the whole computer runs sooooooo slowly, it takes about 30 mins to turn on the computer and get onto the interent (no exaggeration).

is it a simple case of buying some new memory or is it best to get a new computer? if i do need more memory, can you just buy any old one or does it need to be compatible with the make/model of the computer?

i have researched low virtual memory on the internet and tried to run different things that are supposed to help and free up some space, i have deleted any files i need and uninstalled programmes which i do not use but it has made no difference.

any advice would be appreciated.

thank you

tronator

zildjian09 wrote: »

our computer has windows xp and is a few years old. recently it has been saying that it is low on virtual memory and the whole computer runs sooooooo slowly, it takes about 30 mins to turn on the computer and get onto the interent (no exaggeration).

is it a simple case of buying some new memory or is it best to get a new computer? if i do need more memory, can you just buy any old one or does it need to be compatible with the make/model of the computer?

First you could try to set your pagefile to a fixed size. I recommend twice the installed memory. If you use the default windows settings, the pagefile will be resized by windows if it thinks it's necessary. This process takes time and even more if your hard disk is nearly full and heavily fragmented. The pagefile also gets fragmented if it changes size regularely, which slows down everything even more.

So my advice is

1. Defragment your hard disk. I'd recommend JKDefragGUI, which also has an option to defragment all files currently in use and even the registry during the next boot (could take some time during the first reboot).

2. Set your pagefile to a fixed size twice the size of your RAM.

3. If all this doesn't work you might want to buy more RAM. You didn't say how much you have installed atm. And yes, you need to check what kind of memory your PC uses. You need to buy the right one.

One more thing I just remember from my own experience. Check in your hardware manager, whether DMA is enabled for the IDE channel your harddisk is connected to (right click and chose properties).

The_Grandmaster

Maybe this will help?

Cleanup memory leaks - http://www.pcwintech.com/cleanmem
from: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2436849

The second link in general is a very good list of things to do to speed up a computer.

aliEnRIK

How much RAM does it have and whats the operating system?

Check for nasties ~
Download MALWAREBYTES (Make sure you click 'DOWNLOAD LATEST VERSION')
http://www.filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/
Open malwarebytes and goto UPDATE and click 'check for updates'. After its updated goto SCANNER and click PERFORM FULL SCAN then click SCAN
Remove everything thats found (needs to be ticked)
Post the COMPLETE log here AFTER youve deleted everything it finds

reboot
Download HIJACK THIS (Make sure you click 'DOWNLOAD THIS VERSION')
http://www.filehippo.com/download_hijackthis/2894/
Click MAIN MENU then DO A SYSTEM SCAN AND SAVE A LOGFILE(Takes seconds) then post the log so we can see whats running
(do NOT do anything else with Hijack but scan and post the FULL log)

arroli

I am having exact same problems with our desktop pc. Similarly a few years old, running XP. Message...your virtual memory is low, did google search and came back with some supposedly free sites to download and clean up hard drive.
Ive run full scan with Kaspersky and all seems ok there.
Should I also download filehippo info you reccomend or is best route to go to the computer shop to get more memory installed? (doubt i could do this)

The_Grandmaster

Downloading malwarebytes and hijackthis won't do any harm at all - more beneficial really as if you have a virus etcetera which isn't being picked up, it will remove it, which installing a new memory won't help. Also how many antivirus type things are you running? You're only allowed to run one or the computer goes very slow (I have learnt that too!) and some programmes are quite memory munching.

arroli

i think only running Kaspersky which includes anti virus..how would i found out any others..(none in programme list)

The_Grandmaster

hijack this log will tell you if there's any others installed and 'working' - typically happens if you had a free trial when you bought the computer or you downloaded other antivirus programmes (which I guess you haven't done).

closed

Assuming your disk isn't completely full, cut down what's running at startup, and make sure there is no upper limit to the virtual memory settings

arroli

aliEnRIK this is log from my first scan ....


Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.46
www.malwarebytes.org
Database version: 4143
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.5512
25/05/2010 21:44:24
mbam-log-2010-05-25 (21-44-24).txt
Scan type: Full scan (C:\|D:\|)
Objects scanned: 234576
Time elapsed: 1 hour(s), 23 minute(s), 49 second(s)
Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 4
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 8
Files Infected: 27
Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\new.net (Adware.NewDotNet) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Trymedia Systems (Adware.TryMedia) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MySearch (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\New.net (Adware.NewDotNet) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Folders Infected:
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar\REALBAR (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar\REALBAR\Cache (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\MySearch (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\MySearch\bar (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\MySearch\bar\History (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\MySearch\bar\Settings (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\NewDotNet (Adware.NewDotNet) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
Files Infected:
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar\REALBAR\Cache\bubble.bmp (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar\REALBAR\Cache\bubble16.bmp (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar\REALBAR\Cache\celebs.bmp (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar\REALBAR\Cache\ebay.bmp (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar\REALBAR\Cache\ebaysm.bmp (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar\REALBAR\Cache\games.bmp (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar\REALBAR\Cache\gotb.bmp (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar\REALBAR\Cache\highlight.bmp (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar\REALBAR\Cache\movies.bmp (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar\REALBAR\Cache\music.bmp (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar\REALBAR\Cache\news.bmp (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar\REALBAR\Cache\ngames.bmp (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar\REALBAR\Cache\radio.bmp (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar\REALBAR\Cache\REALBARTB0115.cfg (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar\REALBAR\Cache\sports.bmp (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\dynamic toolbar\REALBAR\Cache\Thumbs.db (Adware.2020search) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\MySearch\bar\History\search (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\MySearch\bar\Settings\settings.dat (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\MySearch\bar\Settings\settings.dat.bak (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\MySearch\bar\Settings\settings.htm (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\MySearch\bar\Settings\settings.htm.bak (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\NewDotNet\nnrun.exe (Adware.NewDotNet) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\NewDotNet\readme.html (Adware.NewDotNet) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\NewDotNet\uninstall.exe (Adware.NewDotNet) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

arroli

and the 2nd log...sorry its such a long post!!

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 21:55:45, on 25/05/2010
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP3 (6.00.2900.5512)
Boot mode: Normal
Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\brsvc01a.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\brss01a.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
c:\program files\common files\logishrd\lvmvfm\LVPrcSrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\acs.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\LTSMMSG.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\ezSP_Px.exe
C:\Program Files\Support.com\bin\tgcmd.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LogiShrd\LComMgr\Communications_Helper.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\QuickCam10\QuickCam10.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\TP-LINK\TWCU\TWCU.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LogiShrd\LComMgr\LVComSX.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpohmr08.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpotdd01.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
C:\Program Files\Ulead Systems\Ulead Photo Express 4.0 SE\CalCheck.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Action Setup\VAServ.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpoevm08.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\Bin\hpoSTS08.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logishrd\LQCVFX\COCIManager.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = [URL="http://wa=wsignin1.0&rpsnv=11&ct=1274682763&rver=6.0.5285.0&wp=MBI&wreply=http://sn102w.snt102.mail.live.com/default.aspx&lc=2057&id=64855&mkt=en-gb"]2Fdefault.aspx&lc=2057&id=64855&mkt=en-gb[/URL]
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.club-vaio.sony-europe.com/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page_bak = http://www.ebay.co.uk/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = 127.0.0.1
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\System32\Userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: IEVkbdBHO - {59273AB4-E7D3-40F9-A1A8-6FA9CCA1862C} - C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 2009\ievkbd.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LTSMMSG] LTSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /installquiet
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ezShieldProtector for Px] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ezSP_Px.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WorksFUD] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\wkfud.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Portfolio] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WksSb.exe /AllUsers
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Update Detection] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WkDetect.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [service] C:\WINDOWS\services.exe -serv
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hcenter] "C:\Program Files\Support.com\bin\tgcmd.exe" /server /startmonitor
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechCommunicationsManager] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\LogiShrd\LComMgr\Communications_Helper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechQuickCamRibbon] "C:\Program Files\Logitech\QuickCam10\QuickCam10.exe" /hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVP] "C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 2009\avp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TWCU] "C:\Program Files\TP-LINK\TWCU\TWCU.exe" -nogui
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [updateMgr] C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\AdobeUpdateManager.exe AcRdB7_0_0
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\RunOnce: [RunNarrator] Narrator.exe (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\RunOnce: [RunNarrator] Narrator.exe (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: hp psc 1000 series.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: hpoddt01.exe.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Ulead Photo Express 4.0 SE Calendar Checker .lnk = C:\Program Files\Ulead Systems\Ulead Photo Express 4.0 SE\CalCheck.exe
O4 - Global Startup: VAIO Action Setup (Server).lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Web traffic protection statistics - {1F460357-8A94-4D71-9CA3-AA4ACF32ED8E} - C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 2009\SCIEPlgn.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.club-vaio.sony-europe.com/
O16 - DPF: {406B5949-7190-4245-91A9-30A17DE16AD0} (Snapfish Activia) - http://www1.snapfish.co.uk
O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) - http://gfx1.hotmail.com/mail
O16 - DPF: {CE3409C4-9E26-4F8E-83E4-778498F9E7B4} (PB_Uploader Class) - http://static.photobox.co.uk
O16 - DPF: {FC11A119-C2F7-46F4-9E32-937ABA26816E} (AMI DicomDir TreeView Control 2.1) - [URL]file://F:\CDVIEWER\CdViewer[/URL]
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: ????????P,C:\PROGRA~1\KASPER~1\KASPER~1\mzvkbd.dll,C:\PROGRA~1\KASPER~1\KASPER~1\adialhk.dll,C:\PROGRA~1\KASPER~1\KASPER~1\kloehk.dll
O23 - Service: TP-LINK Configuration Service (ACS) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\acs.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Kaspersky Internet Security (AVP) - Kaspersky Lab - C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 2009\avp.exe
O23 - Service: BrSplService (Brother XP spl Service) - brother Industries Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\System32\brsvc01a.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: ISEXEng - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\angelex.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: Process Monitor (LVPrcSrv) - Logitech Inc. - c:\program files\common files\logishrd\lvmvfm\LVPrcSrv.exe
O23 - Service: LVSrvLauncher - Logitech Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LogiShrd\SrvLnch\SrvLnch.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: ServiceLayer - Nokia. - C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\ServiceLayer.exe
O23 - Service: Sony SPTI Service (SPTISRV) - Sony Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\SONYSH~1\AVLib\Sptisrv.exe
--
End of file - 8997 bytes