Error messages

[Diane]

Hi, I don't know if I'm at the wrong place, but I need
some help and hope someone can tell me where to get the
help. I have a new computer, ( 4 ) months old. This week,
I've started getting messages about memory. A message
keeps telling me my system is low on virtual memory, and
then after my virus protection, it says, low memory.
Please help.......................Diane

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Diane,

Do you have Intel Application Accelerator installed? If so, you need to
uninstall it and install the latest version. The older ones are incompatible
with WinXP and can cause this error message.

If not, then try this: Go to System properties/advanced/performance
settings/advanced tab/virtual memory change and disable the swap file.
Reboot. Delete all instances of pagefile.sys from all drives should any
exist, then reverse the original steps and reenable the swap file. Reboot
once more to finish. See if this helps,

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Colin Painter]

Rick Rogers' post suggests getting XP to adjust the size of the page file
and that will no doubt stop the messages you are seeing. My take on this is
a bit different and depends on the fact that XP loves memory - real physical
memory. Many PCs sold now come with 128MB which is just plain not enough. If
you have 128MB and you make the page file larger as Rick suggests then you
will have "solved" you virtual memory problem but your PC will run like a
dog. This same argument can be made if you have 256MB and it's a family PC
where 3 or 4 or 5 family members are constantly logged in. Those absent but
still logged in users are consuming memory.

A single surfing/email/Word type of user can theortically survive with 128.
You'll notice the PC is noticably faster with 256 and probably 512 would be
overkill for you. But on the other hand there is no penalty at all for
having too much memory as XP will use it to try to speed up the file system
for you.

The family PC just plain needs more than 256. My family PC now has 512 (the
additional 256 cost me the grand sum of $60) and that is more than enough.
You have to be careful buying memory: there are all sorts or variants and
you must get a variant compatable in a number of ways with your system.

cp

 

[Plato]

How much ram is installed and how much space do you have left on C:?

 

[Malke]

How much ram is installed and how much space do you have left on C:?

My guess is that this has nothing to do with physical memory (RAM),
although of course it might. The first thing I'd do is take these
generic troubleshooting steps: 1) scan with current antivirus using
updated definitions - note that "current" means a version not older
than 2002; 2) remove spyware with tools such as Spybot S&D
(www.security.kolla.de) and/or Ad-aware (www.lavasoftusa.com) - note
that it is a good idea to do virus and spyware scans in Safe Mode; 3)
delete temporary and Temporary Internet Files; 4) stop unnecessary
services/programs from running at startup (see www.blackviper.com for a
listing of services). Also, look in Event Viewer for clues. It
certainly won't hurt to do a RAM diagnosis, but I'd suspect virus,
spyware, unnecessary programs running in the background first.

Malke