Windows 7 memory full!!!!

knightstyle

Sorry to ask but I usually use my Macbook so know little about this.
My wife recently got a Dell mini laptop with Windows 7 Starter. It is now slow and I looked at performance and the memory goes up and down from 62% to 97% without anything running!
I have installed and run Ccleaner.
What can I do to see what is in the memory and what is slowing the laptop down.
Please bear in mind that I have only used Macs since my Commodore 64 crashed so do not know the obvious!

Johnmcl7

In Task Manager if you open the processes tab and click show processes from all users then click the memory heading it will show you a list of all processes sorted in descending order by the amount of memory used.

If the machine only has 1GB ram it may be worth taking it up to 2GB.

John

closed

unused ram is wasted ram, so the os tries to use it all. The processes tab show what is using what. A backup and factory restore will probably bring the machine back to it's former glory. ccleaner doesn't do a thing as regards speed.

knightstyle

Here is a copy of the processes, which should I delete and how do I do that?

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f160/knightstyle/Laptop/Processes_zpsa267db52.gif

cookie365

Nothing.

Nothing in there is using up more than 6 and a bit megabytes.

Try clicking the show processes for all users button and taking another screenshot.

knightstyle

Thanks, I think what I posted is for all users. I can only see 1 processes box and cannot find where/if I can select users.

sillygoose

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

In Task Manager if you open the processes tab and click show processes from all users then click the memory heading it will show you a list of all processes sorted in descending order by the amount of memory used.

If the machine only has 1GB ram it may be worth taking it up to 2GB.

John

As above, Netbooks are nearly always shipped with 1GB and its crippling for Win 7. If you go to control panel - System, it will tell you how much installed ram there is. If its only 1GB upgrading to just 2GB will make a huge difference. (Win 7 Starter can only use 2GB anyway)

You can use something like the Crucial memory site to see if/what upgrade you would need by looking up your model and buy there or shop around for the same type elswhere. Usually its just a case of unscrewing a small panel underneath and slotting it in. Less than £10.

www.crucial.com/UK

knightstyle

Thanks sillygoose it is 1gb. Will look at doing that.
Thanks again to everyone who helped me.

danthemoneysavingman

I've got one of these - what processor has yours got?
Mine is the last single core one, and its very slow even with 2GB ram.
the dual core is notably better, but on the whole you're better of with a tablet ;-)
I'm thinking I'll stick XP on the old netbook if that would help speed it up - anyone any idea? are all old updates still available to download for xp sp3? etc

Sharon87

My housemate had a netbook with Windows 7, I went through it and uninstalled lots of programs she didn't use, that aren't essential. A lot of them come preloaded with games/services that you don't want to use that can sometimes run in the background. Check control panel for any programs that you dont use that aren't essential. If you have any questions about what is essential just ask on here.

knightstyle

Thanks, here is the info.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f160/knightstyle/pic-2_zpsa8206084.gif
and
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f160/knightstyle/Laptop/Processes_zpsa267db52.gif

What do I do next? Sell it and get something better? Or.........