Memory Problem

[TheGWFamily]

We recently purchased 2 new eMachines PCs for our 2 middle school kids. We got
3 free months of AOL with each (where 3+3=3 :>). We run Windows XP on these,
AOL 9.0, and a separate MSIE 6.0. We have trial McAfee Antivirus and Firewall,
which we are running in both. The two computers are not networked, though I
would like to find out how to do this, if it is beneficial.

The upstairs computer, a month or so older than the downstairs, is having a
problem. We can't run it long before the message pops up-- Virtual memory is
too low, some applications may not be accessible, etc. It doesn't run all that
much longer before it is unusable. Rebooting only gives a little extra time.

I tried to use an AOL diagnostic once and was given message that this computer
has too low RAM.

These 2 computers are brand new, 60gig each, which to me sounds like there
should be no memory problem. Would appreciate advise. Private email response
would be appreciated, if possible.

Mrs. GW
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Ron Martell]

We recently purchased 2 new eMachines PCs for our 2 middle school kids. We got
3 free months of AOL with each (where 3+3=3 :>). We run Windows XP on these,
AOL 9.0, and a separate MSIE 6.0. We have trial McAfee Antivirus and Firewall,
which we are running in both. The two computers are not networked, though I
would like to find out how to do this, if it is beneficial.

The upstairs computer, a month or so older than the downstairs, is having a
problem. We can't run it long before the message pops up-- Virtual memory is
too low, some applications may not be accessible, etc. It doesn't run all that
much longer before it is unusable. Rebooting only gives a little extra time.

I tried to use an AOL diagnostic once and was given message that this computer
has too low RAM.

These 2 computers are brand new, 60gig each, which to me sounds like there
should be no memory problem. Would appreciate advise. Private email response
would be appreciated, if possible.

My personal opinions regarding your computer setup:

1. Any problems of any kind on a computer that runs AOL software are
very likely caused by the AOL software.

2. Free versions of McAfee products are grossly overpriced. They
couldn't pay me enough money to get me to infect my computers with
their products.


Now to your specifics.

Messages about memory are referring to RAM and not to hard drive
capacity. Hard drive space is more properly referred to as storage.

If teenagers are using the computers then there is probably a need to
clean up the advertising spyware that may have gotten onto them as
they surf around the web. Download, install, update and run AdAware
(free) from www.lavasoft.de to clean them up. Pretty much anything
that AdAware finds should be deleted, although this will disrupt the
operation of Kazaa music sharing.

A free alternative to your McAfee antivirus is the free version of
AVG6 that is available from www.grisoft.com I use this myself and
it has never let me down.

As for firewall the built-in XP firewall has very good protection
against intruders but does not block unapproved outgoing traffic.
ZoneAlarm and Sygate are two free firewalls that provide good two-way
protection.

Networking the two computers should not be a major problem. If they
are in different parts of your home you may want to consider Wireless
networking which would require a wireless network card for each PC
plus a wireless router/hub. Note that a wireless router can be used
to also share a single high-speed internet connection (Cable/DSL)
between the computers.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

 

[Alex Nichol]

The upstairs computer, a month or so older than the downstairs, is having a
problem. We can't run it long before the message pops up-- Virtual memory is
too low, some applications may not be accessible, etc. It doesn't run all that
much longer before it is unusable. Rebooting only gives a little extra time.

See www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm and the Problems section, to see if
one of those suggestions might be relevant. I have also heard reports
that installing NAV 2004 can have this effect, but no confirmation.

 

[TheGWFamily]

Thank you Ron. mrs.

Subject: Re: Memory Problem
From: Ron Martell (e-mail address removed)
Date: 10/29/2003 6:33 PM Eastern Standard Time
Message-id: <[email protected]>



My personal opinions regarding your computer setup:

1. Any problems of any kind on a computer that runs AOL software are
very likely caused by the AOL software.

2. Free versions of McAfee products are grossly overpriced. They
couldn't pay me enough money to get me to infect my computers with
their products.


Now to your specifics.

Messages about memory are referring to RAM and not to hard drive
capacity. Hard drive space is more properly referred to as storage.

If teenagers are using the computers then there is probably a need to
clean up the advertising spyware that may have gotten onto them as
they surf around the web. Download, install, update and run AdAware
(free) from www.lavasoft.de to clean them up. Pretty much anything
that AdAware finds should be deleted, although this will disrupt the
operation of Kazaa music sharing.

A free alternative to your McAfee antivirus is the free version of
AVG6 that is available from www.grisoft.com I use this myself and
it has never let me down.

As for firewall the built-in XP firewall has very good protection
against intruders but does not block unapproved outgoing traffic.
ZoneAlarm and Sygate are two free firewalls that provide good two-way
protection.

Networking the two computers should not be a major problem. If they
are in different parts of your home you may want to consider Wireless
networking which would require a wireless network card for each PC
plus a wireless router/hub. Note that a wireless router can be used
to also share a single high-speed internet connection (Cable/DSL)
between the computers.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

 

[TheGWFamily]

thank you alex. --mrs.

Subject: Re: Memory Problem
From: Alex Nichol (e-mail address removed)
Date: 10/30/2003 10:31 AM Eastern Standard Time
Message-id: <[email protected]>

time.

See www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm and the Problems section, to see if
one of those suggestions might be relevant. I have also heard reports
that installing NAV 2004 can have this effect, but no confirmation.