Why isn't 2GB RAM enough for my W8.1 laptop?

Kernel_Sanders

Firefox sometimes crashes when I haven't manually opened anything else such as Notepad, Paint etc. I get the low memory warnings beforehand though, so the problem is obvious but the solution isn't. I know Trustee Rapport uses a fair bit but really need it when I bank online as I don't have a smartphone on which to use the safer app.
Why are my programs 32-bit when the OS is 64-bit?
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OR

Lambyr

Not all applications are 64bit. In fact, the majority of applications are still 32bit.

How many extensions is your Firefox running? I have Firefox open with 1 tab but a bunch of different extensions and it's using 650MB of memory.

2GB is the minimum amount of RAM for Windows 8.1 64-bit so will always run into problems, unfortunately, if you push it too far, run a lot of extensions, have too many background processes, or if any of your applications suffer from memory leaks.

You've probably already Googled for this but just in case, here are some suggestions from Mozilla on trimming Firefox's memory usage - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-uses-too-much-memory-ram

Johnmcl7

Part of the problem is running a 64-bit operating system with just 2GB of ram as that version of the OS needs more ram (as do any 64-bit applications) than a 32-bit version. One of the primary advantages of a 64-bit operating system is being able to address larger amounts of memory which is of no benefit to a machine with a lower amount of memory.

John

Lambyr

Some of the apps you have running in the screenshot such as the SeriousBit Network Load Balancer and the Panda Anti-Phishing app may not be entirely necessary to run and could free up some RAM by closing or removing the programs. I know the latter is often bundled with third-party apps so may have been accidentally installed, although I also understand that you may have installed it for a reason.

AndyPix

Lambyr wrote: »

Some of the apps you have running in the screenshot such as the SeriousBit Network Load Balancer and the Panda Anti-Phishing app may not be entirely necessary

This ^^^
2Gb is really bare minimum so if you don't want to shell out a few quid for a bit more RAM then you will need to run a tighter ship.


An excellent start would be to remove the crapware highlighted above.
You don't need that god awful trusteer rubbish, unless you intend to let Indian scammers remotely control your machine. No matter how hard your bank tries to push it on you ..
(Santander I'm looking at you)


RAM is cheap as chips these days, just get yourself another 2gig stick to go with the one you have.


Infact, if its PC2 or 3 iv probly got some floating around you can have for free, just PM me and send me a self addressed envelope and its urs

Kernel_Sanders

OK I realize I've got a lot on the start-up but this isn't XP, so trimming it isn't going to launch it much quicker, particularly as I usually hibernate.

I've uninstalled Seriousbit and only have one Firefox tab open on one window, so why's it showing as two?
Also, I've closed BBC iPlayer and as you can see, the option is to relaunch. Why would that be showing as open?
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Korkyb

Unfortunately RAM isn't cheap as chips at the moment - check out current prices....


Good old Brexit :-)

AndyPix

Korkyb wrote: »

Unfortunately RAM isn't cheap as chips at the moment - check out current prices....


Good old Brexit :-)

Around 20 squid for 2gig.


I remember paying £100+ for a 16k ram pack (yep K)


#reminisces

AndyPix

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

OK I realize I've got a lot on the start-up but this isn't XP, so trimming it isn't going to launch it much quicker, particularly as I usually hibernate.

Its not about start up per-se , but more about what you have running in the background
(Using memory)
Also, its good to do a proper shut down quite often rather than hibernate.
Rogue stuff can hog memory and not release it properly

debitcardmayhem

Hibernate as AndyPix says, occasionally yes but only occasionally. Switch on make a coffee open a tinnie or whatever

Kernel_Sanders

AndyPix wrote: »

Infact, if its PC2 or 3 iv probly got some floating around you can have for free, just PM me and send me a self addressed envelope and its urs

Thank you, that's a very generous offer. I've just had the back off for the first time and encountered a shallow tray with what looks like photographic negative film at the bottom. What's that all about?

AndyPix wrote: »

Its not about start up per-se , but more about what you have running in the background (Using memory)

Yeah I know, just trying to rebuff criticism on that score. I tend to do the full shutdown before I visit the library, so any updates get downloaded there. Is there any other reason (apart from updates) to do that?