Virtual memory low

Ianna

My PC's been saying that for a while and now the internet and downloads and the like have started randomly crashed. I also get red error messages saying that ie doesn't have enough memory to carry out operations. I honestly haven't got the foggiest. Google said it was something to do with memory leakage and RAM but I don't know what to do.

Also randomly I HATE AOL!!!!:mad: :mad: Sorry they're making me cross today

Mobeer

A possible 3 step plan:

Step 1 would be to restart your PC - this gets rid of memory leaks

A memory leak is (very roughly) when a program allocates some memory to do a operation, then forgets to de-allocate it when the operation is finished. Over time more and more memory gets reserved for operations that have already finished and eventually this starts to deprive new operations of the memory they need.

Step 2 would be to make sure you have plenty of virtual memory:
Open Control Panel, then System or Right click on My Computer and choose Properties. You should now see the System Properties dialog. At the top, choose the Advanced tab, then the Performance Settings button.
(these steps may vary a bit depending on your operating system)

On the Advanced tab of the Performance Options screen, check
(i) that the space available is at least 1000 MB or so
(ii) that the Paging File is set to be "System managed size" or something similar to this.
This items together (free space and system managed) should provide a reasonable amount of virtual memory.

Step 3 would be to see what programs you have running after restarting your PC. The more programs you have running, the more memory is being used. Remember to check the System Tray, which for most people is on the bottom right of the screen - each little icon represents something running. Many of these programs will be useful, but you may find there are programs running that you don't actually need or want.

Step 4 (?)
I actually said three steps, but if you still have problems, try identifying which application causes the problem. Sometimes the problem is not a lack of memory at all but some other settings.

Ianna

Mobeer wrote:

A possible 3 step plan:

Step 1 would be to restart your PC - this gets rid of memory leaks

Sadly no difference.

A memory leak is (very roughly) when a program allocates some memory to do a operation, then forgets to de-allocate it when the operation is finished. Over time more and more memory gets reserved for operations that have already finished and eventually this starts to deprive new operations of the memory they need.

Thanks for that, makes sense now

Step 2 would be to make sure you have plenty of virtual memory:
Open Control Panel, then System or Right click on My Computer and choose Properties. You should now see the System Properties dialog. At the top, choose the Advanced tab, then the Performance Settings button.
(these steps may vary a bit depending on your operating system)

OK when I go to System and go to advanced I don't get a virtual memory thing. When I go to the properties on the C drive I don't get a virtual memory thing, I just get normal memory (I've used about half of my free space). Where have I gone wrong?

Step 3 would be to see what programs you have running after restarting your PC. The more programs you have running, the more memory is being used. Remember to check the System Tray, which for most people is on the bottom right of the screen - each little icon represents something running. Many of these programs will be useful, but you may find there are programs running that you don't actually need or want.

DIVX settings manager's running and I don't know why..... The others are just zonealarm and essential stuff like that.

I had no idea that was what the little symbols were. I've wondered since I got the computer. Thanks for clearing up that mystery!

Step 4 (?)
I actually said three steps, but if you still have problems, try identifying which application causes the problem. Sometimes the problem is not a lack of memory at all but some other settings.

I wouldn't know where to start.

albertross_2

https://www.ccleaner.com

ditch the aol software.

which operating system? How much ram do you have? If XP and less than 512MB, https://www.crucial.com

have you scanned for viruses/spyware?

crox

Virtual memory actually uses the harddisk to store information when you run out of physical memory. Is your harddisk full?
Although I love it, firefox is still quite a memory hog, especially when you start using tabs.
Try using msconfig (from the start menu click run then type msconfig) this will tell you what starts when you logon to your machine, just found you need to be logged on as administrator to use it, I try not to that so I can't give you a run down, but off the top of my head.
ignore boot.ini and system.ini
don't delete anything until you've googled it and are sure.
You might want to run regedit (same way) first and click file export and save your registry 1st.

Word of warning regedit is a tad powerful so don't do anything else with it unless you're feeling confident.

Ianna

albertross wrote:

https://www.ccleaner.com

ditch the aol software.

AOL is pure evil isn't it? Contract's finally up so I'm switching. My PC's never been the same since I put it on.

which operating system? How much ram do you have? If XP and less than 512MB, https://www.crucial.com

It's XP - how do I find out what RAM I have? it's 3 years old

have you scanned for viruses/spyware?

Yup, removed 60 pieces of spyware with enormous thanks to this forum :beer:

Ianna

Virtual memory actually uses the harddisk to store information when you run out of physical memory. Is your harddisk full?

Apparently I've got half free space on my harddrive

Although I love it, firefox is still quite a memory hog, especially when you start using tabs.
Try using msconfig (from the start menu click run then type msconfig) this will tell you what starts when you logon to your machine, just found you need to be logged on as administrator to use it, I try not to that so I can't give you a run down, but off the top of my head.
ignore boot.ini and system.ini[/QUOTE]

Is that this?

don't delete anything until you've googled it and are sure.
You might want to run regedit (same way) first and click file export and save your registry 1st.

Word of warning regedit is a tad powerful so don't do anything else with it unless you're feeling confident.

Nothing happened when I did that. I just got a white screen with folders saying HKEY_Classes_root and stuff.

I need a confused emoticon....

Ianna

*bumps worriedly*

albertross_2

you need to click the startup tab in msconfig to see what is loading at startup

Right click on my computer in explorer and do properties to find out how much ram you have