Genealogy Chat

What does it mean when you get a message on you computer saying Your Computer Is Low on Virtual Memory? And what do you do to fix this, somehow my computer looks like it fixes it itself but why is it low on virtual memory?.. Betty

Hi Betty It may be that you have too many programs running at once. If you have lots of windows open try shutting some down. It may also be 'hidden' programs ie: things that are running in the background which you don't actually see. If you hit the 'ctrl, alt and delete' buttons your windows task manager window should open. Click on the processes tab and you will see how many processes are running. Some of these can be shut down or disabled but unfortunately I'm not an expert as my OH normally deals with that sort of thing and I can't advise on which to keep and which to close but I think that is something to do with it. Hope that makes some sort of sense. Kate :)

Hiya Betty, When's the last time you did a Disk Cleanup and then a Disk Defragment ? If they don't help, have a look at this website: http://www(.)askdavetaylor(.)com/how_can_i_fix_too_little_virtual_memory_in_windows.html HTH, Merv ps: padkat's on the right track, you'll see what she means from the above site, remove ()

Sorry Kate and Merv, My computer just went off there don't know why but it does that from time to time the broadband connection just goes. I think its a bad connection, with Orange and lots of people have problems with them. Anyway I did a Disc Defrag today, alway run Virus Scan do Disc Defrag AVG Virus and AdAware, SpyBot Spyware Blaster all the things you are ment to do, twice a week.. Betty

Not a problem Betty. Just caught me before I sign off, using matchsticks to keep my eyes open at the mo. LOL. You're very good to have done your defrag regularly, have to confess I haven't done mine for a while. The site Merv recommends looks quite good - it might help. I know sometimes if you have downloaded a program (is that the right spelling or is it programme?, can never remember) it will bring unwanted software with it. These run away in the background slowing everything down. There is a program you can get that detects this sort of thing and helps you get rid of it but I forget the name - maybe Merv can help if he's still up and about. Hope you get it sorted. Kate :)

Sorry guys, still here, was having a nosy in the General Topics. Right, is it only AVG you're running ? I recommend you download Ad-Aware SE Personal and ................... damn, I've forgotten the name of the anti spyware program I use, I can see the icon in my mind but can't remember the name. I'll post here as soon as I remember it, I'm in work at the moment, yuck, so can't check my own pc ! Anyway's, all three programs run quite happily together and are free, sorted ! Merv ps: Betty, do you use Broadband or Dial Up ?

Hi Merv, I have Spyblaster, Adaware, Spybot, AVG the lot. Run them all the time twice a week with disc defrag. Is this web address any good, I tried it and it said I had over 600 things wrong that needed fixed, how can that be?? Betty Added later have Broadband with Orange

Merv, This RegCure said they will send me a key if I register, do I have to pay for that, they said I would receive key in an e-mail, nothing come into inbox yet. Betty

I saw you there Merv, posting cheeky jokes. ;)

Sorry guy's got ton's of work coming in now. Betty, don't register or purchase those keys, they're more trouble than they are worth. Would you mind if I got back to you later ((((((((((((h)))))))))))) What system are you using; Windows XP or what, Broadband or Dial Up ?, Sorry guy's really gotta go now, will get back to you later Merv xx

Ok Merv, Bye for now, I have broadband with orange. Have Windows XP. Sorry already said I would take the key thing but havent received it yet, did give them my e-mail address and that though. I'm going to bed almost 3:30am here in the UK and I haven't got to bed yet. Maybe you can leave a message for me later ok. Anyway I ran that system, it said I had over 600 problems on PC and I would need to register to get a key, did this but no key received, did give them my e-mail address and did register, they haven't asked for payment but they did try to sell a disc I think. Betty

I have nudges a couple of threads on the subject. Sometimes all that is necessary is to shut down your machine and re-start it as part of your regular housekeeping.. Many IT technicians suggest you you this on a regular basis anyway as it ensures that everything shuts down and restarts cleanly.. Remember that actions such as defragging will not cure this sort of thing. Derfraging is only going to improve your disc access times, so if it takes a long time to open a program and you can hear the disc whirring away then it is time to defrag. Also beware of these programs which claim to cure all your computer ailments. Most are scams and are only after your money. Some are actually spyware that you can well do without. Stick with the well known names already mentioned, and you can't go far wrong.

As already stated cleaning up your file storage and a defrag will help but a lot of PC's are just not powerful enough. XP needs 256 meg RAM just to run itself. Most off the shelf PC's come with ½ gig of ram but a lot of them only have 256 meg RAM. The easiest and cheapest way to make your PC quicker is to add more RAM. To find out how much memory you have in your system click on Start, then right click on My Computer, left click on Properties, under the General Tab it will tell you how much memory your PC has. A ½ gig (500 meg) RAM stick will only cost you £25 and it's a piece of cake to fit, open the case, push it into the slot, job done. I would not consider running a PC with less tham 1 GIG (1,024 MEG) RAM. Ron www.genealogyprinters*com

Hi Peter, Ron and Colin, I have to go out in a minute got an appointment at the hospital but thanks for all you reply's. Ron I checked what you said and in comes up with Intel (R) 2.93 GHz 256MB of RAM Celeron (R) CRU 2.93GHz Whatever that means I don't know , is that ok?. Betty

Hi Betty, Have PM'd you with my apologies, if you don't get it please let me know. Have a feeling it may not have been sent as I got a 'Page not Known' up. I'll be annoyed if it hasn't gone thru' as it was quite long ! Merv ps: Ron's advice is good, it does look as if your pc needs more memory.

Betty, What this is telling you is that your PC is probably underpowered in the memory department as 256k is really insufficient to run an XP set-up and leave sufficient for your programs. Longer term you need to consider adding more memory or trading in your PC for a more powerful model.