Rec'd pop up notice re virtual memory

[Donna]

I received a pop up notice warning virtual memory is low and windows needs to
create more memory. What is virtual memory and should I allot more space for
it?
Windows xp pro.

 

[Don Phillipson]

I received a pop up notice warning virtual memory is low and windows needs to
create more memory. What is virtual memory and should I allot more space for
it? Windows xp pro.

What do you see when you do / Start / Help and enter
VIRTUAL MEMORY in the box ?

/ Start / Settings / Control Panel / System / Performance
To reserve disk space for extra memory
open the System Properties dialog box at the Performance tab.
Click Virtual Memory.
Click (select) LET WINDOWS MANAGE MY VIRTUAL MEMORY.

If this does not ensure trouble-free operation, suspect malware.

 

[Gerry]

Donna

A detailed explanation of virtual memory:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm

Before suggesting what you do I have some questions.

What is the CPU and how much RAM does your computer have? Right click on
the My Computer icon on your Desktop and select Properties to get this
information.

Try Ctrl+Alt+Delete to select Task Manager and click the Performance
Tab. Under Commit Charge what is the Total, the Limit and the Peak?

How large is your hard disk and how much free disk space.

What are your anti-virus and anti-spyware arrangements?


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Donna]

Gerry
I hope this answers your questions:
CPU Pentium R 4 RAM 2.66 GHz, 504 mb RAM
Total 327624, Limit 1143040, Peak 448896
Hard Drive 10.0 Free, 8.2 Used total 18.6
Current alloted virtual memory is 372 mb?? Should I click on
"system managed size" will that let Windows allot the correct memory or
should I
enter a custom amount in myself?
It says that the recommended is 754 and current is 372mb.
Can you get back to me asap
Thanks, Donna
Also I just downloaded an update from microsoft, one was " update to
malicious software." Maybe that will help, I think I would like to use the
"system alloted size" option which I think will allow Windows to determine
how much I need but if you do not agree Please let me know.

 

[Donna]

Gerry

Forgot to tell you I have AVG 8.0 for anti-spy and anti-virus.
I also have IE 7 and Spybot Search & Destroy.

 

[Gary Brandenburg]

Donna
You're right about using "System managed size" as this will adjust the virtual memory
according to the needs of your PC.
Be sure & click "Set" & then "Apply" then "OK".
It will ask for a reboot, then.

~Gary

 

[Gerry]

Donna

Allowing Windows to Manage the pagefile is the more popular options with
users. However, it is not one I would normally recommend as it increases
the rate files fragment leading to poorer system performance. This
subject can cause prolonged debate in these newsgroups between the
opposing viewpoints..

A hard drive of 18.6 gb is unusually small as hard drives go today. What
are your plans for future use of the computer. I ask this because if you
add much by way of programmes or photos you will soon run out of disk
space. At present the free disk space of 10 gb exceeds 50%, which is
fine.

You can create more free space by carrying the measure suggested below.
More suggestions if needed.

The default allocation to System Restore is 12% on your C partition
which is over generous. I would reduce it to 700 mb. Right click your My
Computer icon on the Desktop and select System Restore. Place the cursor
on your C drive select Settings but this time find the slider and drag
it to the left until it reads 700 mb and exit. When you get to the
Settings screen click on Apply and OK and exit.

When you have made this change select Start, All Programs, Accessories,
System Tools, Disk CleanUp to Empty your Recycle Bin and Remove
Temporary Internet Files. Also select Start, All Programs, accessories,
System Tools, Disk CleanUp, More Options, System Restore and remove all
but the latest System Restore point. Run Disk Defragmenter. When this
has completed restart your computer.

The recommended pagefile size is 754 mb. I would set a minimum and
maximum of 850 mb. Select Start, Control Panel, System, Advanced,
Performance Settings, Advanced, Virtual Memory, Change and place the
cursor on C drive / partition. Select Custom Size and set a Minumum and
a Maximum of 850mb. When you have made your selection click on Set, OK
and exit. You will need to restart your computer for the new settings to
take effect.

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Donna]

Gerry
First of all thanks for the help, second we only use the
computer for word processing and playing games.
We do not have photos or play music cd's.
With regards to doing the disk clean-up the last time
I did that I lost games from my accessories, the volume driver
disappeared or stopped working. I really would like to get rid of all
the temporary internet cookies and files...what is the simplest way of
doing this? I don't want to lose my passwords or have the same thing
happen again. Can you please explain how to do it simply?
Thanks
Donna
Cornwall, Ontario, Canada

 

[Ian D]

Gerry
First of all thanks for the help, second we only use the
computer for word processing and playing games.
We do not have photos or play music cd's.
With regards to doing the disk clean-up the last time
I did that I lost games from my accessories, the volume driver
disappeared or stopped working. I really would like to get rid of all
the temporary internet cookies and files...what is the simplest way of
doing this? I don't want to lose my passwords or have the same thing
happen again. Can you please explain how to do it simply?
Thanks
Donna
Cornwall, Ontario, Canada

The easiest way is is click the Tools menu in Internet Explorer.
It will be on the menu bar if you have one, or an icon on
the upper right of the window. Then select Internet Options,
and you will see a section called Browsing history. Click
Delete and you will be given a selections of items you may
want to delete, including the temp IE files and cookies.

 

[Gerry]

Donna

I have not encountered the problem of losing passwords using Disk
CleanUp. I do get this problem using cCleaner, which does a more
thorough job than Disk CleanUp. If you use cCleaner you need to keep a
separate note of passwords.

Within Internet Explorer there are three ways to maintain some control
over the numbers of temporary files retained.

Ian has mentioned one. If you select Tools, Browsing History you will
see various options. Two you would not want to use are Delete Passwords
and Delete All. These are accessible also by selecting Tools, Internet
Options, General tab, Browsing History. This method needs more effort
than simply remembering to run Disk CleanUp or cCleaner. It also misses
out on cleaning other temporary files.

In Internet Explorer select Tools, Internet Options, Advanced tab,
scroll down and under Security you will see "Empty Temporary Internet
folder folder when Browser is closed". If checked this is a one off
exercise and therefore simple to operate. Disadvantage is if you like to
refer to History. You can of course increase your use of Favourites to
compensate.

In Internet Explorer select Tools, Internet Options, General tab,
Browsing History, History and enter the number of days you wish to hold
History. Mine is set to 4 days.

My preference is to use cCleaner.

An alternative to Disk CleanUp is cCleaner (freeware) which does a more
thorough job than Disk CleanUp. Disk CleanUp has to be run for each user
profile, whereas cCleaner only needs to be run once.
http://www.ccleaner.com/ccdownload.asp
http://www.ccleaner.com/

With any cleaner you need to proceed with caution. To be safe you
should create a restore point before using cCleaner. cCleaner also
offers backup before removal.

When using cCleaner think twice before checking Autocomplete Form
History under Internet Explorer. You do get a warning but this one has
irritating consequences. You may need to restore your system's
recollection of passwords after use so keep a record off computer so
that they can easily be re-entered.

Leave the Scan for Issues option alone.

cCleaner does not remove restore points. You need to use Disk CleanUp
for this. Select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk
CleanUp, More Options, System Restore and remove all but the latest
System Restore point.


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~