recover memory

[Guest]

I recenty checked my memory (physical) its like 1/2 used up. how can i
recover the memory?

 

[Ron Martell]

I recenty checked my memory (physical) its like 1/2 used up. how can i
recover the memory?

Are you concerned about memory (RAM) or storage (space on your hard
drive)?

New hard drives are cheaper than dirt so if you are filling yours up
then consider purchasing a second hard drive and having that installed
in your computer and using it to provide additional storage space.

RAM exists to be used, and unused RAM should more appropriately be
described as "useless RAM" because that is what it actually
represents, RAM for which Windows has so far been totally unable to
find any beneficial use for.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Guest]

well im not all that computer literate but it says that out of 512MB memory i
only have like 271MB left. what does that mean? I cant remember how to find
out how much space on is left on my disc, can you help? thank you.

 

[Rock]

well im not all that computer literate but it says that out of 512MB memory i
only have like 271MB left. what does that mean? I cant remember how to find
out how much space on is left on my disc, can you help? thank you.

:

That sounds like RAM, memory in the computer, not disk space on a hard
drive. Don't worry about Ram usage. XP tries to find a use for all the
RAM. To see how much space is on the hard drive and how much is used
double click My Computer, look at the C drive. It should tell you the
total space and the free space.

 

[Talahassee]

I recenty checked my memory (physical) its like 1/2 used up. how can i
recover the memory?

Two easy options:

1. buy more physical memory (ram). These days, RAM is VERY cheap. I
have 512 mb, and one of the next things on my list is another 512 mb.

I know people who won't run a computer with less than a Gig of RAM.

2. Go to

www.download.com

There are several RAM-clearing utilities. Too many programs, once
you're done with them, stay in memory. The RAM-clearing utilities
clear the RAM when you're done with it.

I have two: FreeMem and Free Ram XP Pro. Since I have been using
FREE Mem for several YEARS, I'm one who typically goes with what I
know.

But, you MUST MUST MUST start with 512 mb MINIMUM of RAM, if you are
doing any serious web surfing. These days, the guys who tell you "256
mb is fine", aren't surfing the web!

Anyone who is surfing will tell you you MUST have 512 MINIMUM. If you
have $100 to spend on RAM, go for 1 Gb.


Good luck!

Tallahassee

 

[Rock]

Talahassee wrote:

There are several RAM-clearing utilities. Too many programs, once
you're done with them, stay in memory. The RAM-clearing utilities
clear the RAM when you're done with it.

I have two: FreeMem and Free Ram XP Pro. Since I have been using
FREE Mem for several YEARS, I'm one who typically goes with what I
know.

But, you MUST MUST MUST start with 512 mb MINIMUM of RAM, if you are
doing any serious web surfing. These days, the guys who tell you "256
mb is fine", aren't surfing the web!

Anyone who is surfing will tell you you MUST have 512 MINIMUM. If you
have $100 to spend on RAM, go for 1 Gb.


Good luck!

Tallahassee

Those RAM utilities are snake oil and a waste of money. They do nothing
to make XP work better. XP handles memory dynamically and tries to find
a use for all the memory in the system, releasing where needed.

To the OP (original poster) - don't waste your money on such programs.

 

[Talahassee]

well im not all that computer literate but it says that out of 512MB memory i
only have like 271MB left. what does that mean? I cant remember how to find
out how much space on is left on my disc, can you help? thank you.

You're asking the wrong questions.

First, if you have 512 Mb of RAM (memory), and you have 271 mb that
you aren't using, you're fine. It means you're using slightly more
than half for your current tasks.

Disk space is a TOTALLY different issue. You could have 1 Gb of RAM
(memory) (PLENTY) with a 5 Gb hard drive (inadequate)

There's memory (RAM), which is what you SEE when you look at your
monitor. All those magical things that are happening that you can sit
and WATCH are what is happening with your RAM.

When you're all done with your letter to your mom, and you SAVE it,
you are saving it to your HARD Drive.

You need a MINIMUM of 512 Mb of RAM these days. You will find out how
much RAM you have by right clicking on "My Computer" or whatever you
call it. The VERY bottom # in the printout that comes up, under
"Computer" will be how much physical RAM you have. Above that are your
computer TYPE (mine's AMD), and the processor speed (Mine's 1,8 Ghz)

A SIMPLE way to watch what's going on with your RAM (memory) is to go
to

www.download.com and get "Free Mem Pro". You load it, and when
you're done with a program (let's say Word), you close it, and Free
Mem Pro removes the program from RAM, freeing your RAM for other
tasks. The NICE thing is, once you run FREE MEM Pro, you can actually
sit at your computer, tasking, and WATCH as your RAM use peaks and
valleys. You'll soon see what tasks are memory/cpu intense and which
aren't.

To see how big your hard drive is

Double click on My Computer. When it opens, you'll see icons for each
of your hard drives. (I have 2 physical drives, and the 2nd hard drive
is 2 logical drives-- 1 drive with 2 partitions)

Click on the drive you want to read to Highlight it. move the mouse
away and then move it back. Count to 10 and you'll get a little
balloon that will tell you how much hard drive you have and how much
you aren't using. It won't tell you the FULL size; it will tell you
how much total space is available after you've installed your system.

I have a 200 Gb C drive, of which 188 Gb is "available" after I load
XP.

I currently have something like 32 Gb available space. (I'm a writer
and artist, and I currently have some 10 major book projects on my
computer, along with a TON of artwork)

Now that I'm down to less than 50 Gb of hard drive, I'm shopping for a
2nd 120 Gb backup drive. Next expenditure will be at LEAST a 350 Gb
hard drive.

I go through disk space like kids go through cotton candy!

Hope that helps!

Good luck!

Tallahassee

 

[Ron Martell]

A SIMPLE way to watch what's going on with your RAM (memory) is to go
to

www.download.com and get "Free Mem Pro". You load it, and when
you're done with a program (let's say Word), you close it, and Free
Mem Pro removes the program from RAM, freeing your RAM for other
tasks. The NICE thing is, once you run FREE MEM Pro, you can actually
sit at your computer, tasking, and WATCH as your RAM use peaks and
valleys. You'll soon see what tasks are memory/cpu intense and which
aren't.

Freemem Pro (and all other programs of similar ilk) is pure
unadulterated crapware that is totally incapable of performing any
beneficial function for any computer under any circumstances.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE]

I recenty checked my memory (physical) its like 1/2 used up. how can i
recover the memory?

Unless you're getting error messages about memory don't worry about it.
WinXP handles memory as efficiently as possible. Don't use one of the
programs that purport to freer up memory. They actually slow the computer
down. When you quit using something in memory Windows leaves it there so
that it can be recalled more quickly if you decide to use it. This is much
faster than reloading it from the hard drive, which Windows will have to do
if something has "cleaned up" the memory. If some other program wants that
memory Windows gives it to the other program.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

well im not all that computer literate but it says that out of 512MB
memory i only have like 271MB left. what does that mean? I cant
remember how to find out how much space on is left on my disc, can
you help? thank you.

You say " i only have like 271MB left," but "only" is the wrong word. You're
not supposed to have any left, and if you would check again after running
for a while, you'd probably find that almost all would be in use and none
would be left.

Windows is designed to use all, or nearly all, your RAM all the time. If
your apps don't need it, Windows will try to find another use for it (such
as using it for cache), then give it back when the apps need it again.

Despite what some people apparently think, this is good, not bad. Unused RAM
is wasted RAM. You paid for it all, and you shouldn't want to see any of it
sitting around idle and wasted.

So this is not a problem, and doesn't need fixing.

 

[RScotti]

Hi Ken,

I have in my Task Manager 2,095,500 Physical Memory and only using in my System Cache 1,388,576
Does that mean something is wrong where it is NOT using all my memory?
\

You say " i only have like 271MB left," but "only" is the wrong word. You're
not supposed to have any left, and if you would check again after running
for a while, you'd probably find that almost all would be in use and none
would be left.

Windows is designed to use all, or nearly all, your RAM all the time. If
your apps don't need it, Windows will try to find another use for it (such
as using it for cache), then give it back when the apps need it again.

Despite what some people apparently think, this is good, not bad. Unused RAM
is wasted RAM. You paid for it all, and you shouldn't want to see any of it
sitting around idle and wasted.

So this is not a problem, and doesn't need fixing.

Have a good day,
RScotti

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[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have in my Task Manager 2,095,500 Physical Memory and only using in
my System Cache 1,388,576

How much of your 2GB is in use and how much is free? What applications are
you running?

2GB is an extremely large amount of memory for Windows XP, and although it
may try to use all of it, with that much memory, it will probably fail. Only
if you are running extremely memory-intensive programs can you make
effective use of that much memory. Despite the advice of many people, more
memory is not always better; although it doesn't hurt to have more than you
need, once you have enough to keep you from using the page file, any more is
largely just wasted.

 

[RScotti]

Hi Ken,

How much of your 2GB is in use and how much is free? What applications are
you running?

I thought the information above told you my memory usage? Physical and System Cache.
Other wise I don't know where to look.
Right now With this amount of memory I am only running My Email Agent, Two IE's and Four Windows Explorers.
If I understand the Task Manager correctly I am using 688 MB of Page File out of 1892 MB.
I would think that I wouldn't use any page file where I have so much memory.

2GB is an extremely large amount of memory for Windows XP, and although it
may try to use all of it, with that much memory, it will probably fail. Only
if you are running extremely memory-intensive programs can you make
effective use of that much memory. Despite the advice of many people, more
memory is not always better; although it doesn't hurt to have more than you
need, once you have enough to keep you from using the page file, any more is
largely just wasted.

Have a good day,
RScotti

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[Ken Blake, MVP]

On Wed, 6 Sep 2006 15:38:04 -0700, "Ken Blake, MVP"

Hi Ken,


I thought the information above told you my memory usage? Physical
and System Cache.
Other wise I don't know where to look.

Task Manager shows you "Total" and "Available." Total in your case is 2GB,
but you didn't say how much is Available. The amount you're using is "Total"
minus "Available."

Right now With this amount of memory I am only running My Email
Agent, Two IE's and Four Windows Explorers. If I understand the Task
Manager correctly I am using 688 MB of Page File out of 1892 MB.
I would think that I wouldn't use any page file where I have so much
memory.

Unfortunately the way it's reported is very confusing. You have 688MB of
Page File allocated, but that's the same as in use. Go to
http://billsway.com/notes_public/winxp_tweaks/ and download
WinXP-2K_Pagefile.zip and monitor your pagefile *usage* with it. You will
almost certainly see that you're actually using very little of th epage
file.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Unfortunately the way it's reported is very confusing. You have 688MB
of Page File allocated, but that's the same as in use.

Sorry--typo! I left out a very important word. That should be "but that's
*not* the same as in use."

Also, for more information, read this article by the late MVP, Alex Nichol:
"Virtual Memory in Windows XP" at http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm

 

[RScotti]

Task Manager shows you "Total" and "Available." Total in your case is 2GB,
but you didn't say how much is Available. The amount you're using is "Total"
minus "Available."

This is the available amount.1,134,486

Unfortunately the way it's reported is very confusing. You have 688MB of
Page File allocated, but that's the same as in use. Go to
http://billsway.com/notes_public/winxp_tweaks/ and download
WinXP-2K_Pagefile.zip and monitor your pagefile *usage* with it. You will
almost certainly see that you're actually using very little of th epage
file.

I D/L the file but am having trouble understanding the readme.file on how to use it?
All I see in the Text file is the date and the time so I guess it is NOT the script.
Sorry but am confused on what to do.
I ran all three vbs programs they appeared on my desktop but they say can not find script.
when I set up the gpedit.msc. in the read me file all I had to go to was the page file log.txt
I know I am not doing this right but don't know how to do it. It is confusing to me. Sorry!

Have a good day,
RScotti

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[Ken Blake, MVP]

This is the available amount.1,134,486
I D/L the file but am having trouble understanding the readme.file
on how to use it?
All I see in the Text file is the date and the time so I guess it is
NOT the script.
Sorry but am confused on what to do.
I ran all three vbs programs they appeared on my desktop but they say
can not find script. when I set up the gpedit.msc. in the read me
file all I had to go to was the page file log.txt I know I am not
doing this right but don't know how to do it. It is confusing to me.
Sorry!

In that case, I just wouldn't worry about it, if I were you. You clearly
don't have a problem, and there's no need to pursue this further.

 

[RScotti]

One more thing,
Should I change my Page file settings to no page file since I have so much RAM left?
That may make things better?

In that case, I just wouldn't worry about it, if I were you. You clearly
don't have a problem, and there's no need to pursue this further.

Have a good day,
RScotti

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[Ken Blake, MVP]

One more thing,
Should I change my Page file settings to no page file since I have so
much RAM left?
That may make things better?

No, it is never a good idea to disable the page file entirely, no matter how
much memory you have.

1. If you don't have a page file, you can't use all the RAM you have. That's
because Windows preallocates virtual memory in anticipation of a possible
need for it, even though that allocated virtual memory may never be used.
Without a page file, that allocation has to be made in real memory, thus
tying up that memory and preventing it from being used for any purpose.


2. There is never any possible benefit in not having a page file. If it
isn't needed, it won't be used. Don't confuse allocated memory with used
memory.

 

[RScotti]

Thanks, I leave it the way it is.
I appreciate your help on this.

No, it is never a good idea to disable the page file entirely, no matter how
much memory you have.

1. If you don't have a page file, you can't use all the RAM you have. That's
because Windows preallocates virtual memory in anticipation of a possible
need for it, even though that allocated virtual memory may never be used.
Without a page file, that allocation has to be made in real memory, thus
tying up that memory and preventing it from being used for any purpose.


2. There is never any possible benefit in not having a page file. If it
isn't needed, it won't be used. Don't confuse allocated memory with used
memory.

Have a good day,
RScotti

remove "nospam" in order to email me.