Virtual memory minimum too low?

[Bathsheba]

Help please. My laptop is running so slow just lately. I've defragmented, deleted temp files, run Spybot, and am now out of ideas.
I keep getting a pop up saying "virtual memory minimum too low", but I'm clueless what that means.
Any help much appreciated, but in terms as simple as possible please.
(I was going to say as if you were talking to a child, but on reflection, a child would probably know more than I do about computers) x

[Bathsheba]

I've run the scan on that Crucial site now- what info can I give you now re result please? x

[fo3nix]

It'll say something like

"You can buy this amount of this type of RAM" for your system...

It might suggest 512MB RAM, SDRAM or something like that.

[Bathsheba]

It says maximim memory capacity 1024MB
Currently installed memory 256MB
Available memory slots 0
Number of banks 2.
But in another little box it says Currently installed memory 128MB, SDRAM, PC133.
Is it any wonder I'm confused??!!

[vehelpfulguy]

So it was a Windows 2000 laptop not a Windows ME laptop.

As it happens Windows XP is much more like Windows 2000 that like Windows ME.

Having said that it it still a laptop about 6 pr 7 years old (?) and with 256Mb memory is rather underpowered.

[Bathsheba]

So should I buy more memory?

[vehelpfulguy]

Well bathsheba, you certainly have a lot of patience, bet you wish you had not started this :-)

Maybe you should buy a new laptop !

Anyway your report said:

>Currently installed memory 256MB
>Available memory slots 0
>Number of banks 2.
>Currently installed memory 128MB, SDRAM, PC133.

This is telling you that your total memory is 256Mb.

Your laptop has TWO slots for this memory (banks 2) but both are used (available 0).

It says you have 128Mb so you actually have TWO 128Mb memory cards in the two slots making 256Mb (2x128Mb) in total.

So before you can put any more memory IN you would have to take one (or both) of them out to free up the slots.

If you bought a single 512Mb you could take both of the existing 128Mb ones out (they may not work with the new memory).

[vehelpfulguy]

I made a joke about a new laptop above, but too be honest if your laptop is 6 or 7 years old it is probably coming to the end of its life. That is about the lifespan for a laptop.

I know it may be a lot of money, but you can get a fairly decent laptop for around �300 and this will have MUCH more memory, and a HUGE hard disk (compared with what you have).

If you cannot aford that then adding 512Mb of memory is a fairly cheap option to keep you going.

If you can give me the EXACT make and model number of the laptop (probably on a label underneath) I will try to fnd out where you can get the memory from.

Sometimes parts for old laptops and computers are not made any more so it may not be easy to get memory for your laptop.

[Bathsheba]

Tee hee! I have very little patience, but I'm like a dog with a bone when something's bugging me! Right, bear with me a mo while I look underneath again x

[Bathsheba]

Wow, it was dusty under there!
Dell model no PP01L

[vehelpfulguy]

There seems to be more than one Dell called PP01L.

Can you find a name and model number. Like maybe:

Inspiron 4000 or Latitude C600, something like that

It may be on the laptop lid (outside) or around the screen, or alongside the keyboard, or on the label underneath.

[Bathsheba]

Hi again.
It says Latitude C510/C610 x

[Bathsheba]

P.S. - the x was a kiss btw! x

[vehelpfulguy]

Seems you can buy 512Mb of memory here on the Dell site for the Latiude 510/610, but it is �75.

http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/category. aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1&category_id=432 5&mfgpid=1225946&chassisid=-1

This is the part number: SNP4F453C/512

If you search the web you may be able to get it a bit cheaper.

Personally I would not bother to spend that much on a laptop that was already 6 or 7 (or more) years old, it is just dead money.

If I was you I would put it towards a new laptop (or a better second hand laptop).

[Bathsheba]

Thanks ever so much, helpfulguy for going to all that trouble for me.
I think it will have to be a new one on Santa's list!
My friend's husband has been here twiddling for an hour, mentioned something about a "system managed page file"??
Anyway, it's certainly not gone any worse, so, as you said, it's not worth spending any money on.
Thanks to everyone else who took the time to answer xx

[ACtheTROLL]

I still think a memory upgrade would be a mistake - given the size of your disc ... you need to free up space not increase the load on an already struggling system.
the more ram you have the bigger the swapfile ... the harder the disc, and processor will work ....
If your system was OK ... but now isn't ... undo the changes ... and you are back to a more acceptable level.

putting bigger wheels on a mini won't make it more like a Ferrari

I hate to say it ... but - uninstall IE7
you've said that started your problems ....
with a higher spec machine you'd have more options ... but you don't.

you need to operate without the bells and whistles.
(I'd even consider downgrading to 98se!!)
Whatever you do don't install service pack 3!!!!!

As a final resort you can try reducing the "pretty" stuff

Right click My Computer | advanced | performance
try reducing the number of ticks ...

also consider right click on your desktop
properties | appearence | windows and buttons
take the windows classic option
both these will improve performance

[ACtheTROLL]

oops

continued
if you try my "free" suggestions and they work ... fine

if they don't ... I've been wrong before certainly will be again.

so then is the time to count your pennies and consider spending some pennies

[Bathsheba]

Thanks AC. I've definitely decided against spending any money on this.
Was thinking of uninstalling that new IE, but I'm ashamed to say I don't know how to do that!
I know how to do system restore though- would that work? x

[vehelpfulguy]

To uninstall any piece of software go into the Windows Control Panel and select Add or Remove Programs.

In the list will be Windows internet Explorer 7 select it then select the Remove button.

(Note: I just tried to do this and there was no Remove button, not sure why).

If you do manage to uninstall it then make sure you reboot the machine, then you should be able to start the previous version IE6.

[ACtheTROLL]

don't do a restore .... (unless you absolutely have to)

lookee here
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927177
for uninstall instructions

if you want to do a restore after this ... it's got to be a date BEFORE you installed ie7 - but you shouldn't need to

also - remember santa will know if you've been nasty or nice ... so if you are hoping for a new machine .... you've got 7 months of hell coming up ;-)

[Bathsheba]

I'm having a real run of bad luck! Lost my internet connection last night! Felt bereaved + bereft.
Have decided against uninstalling anything, but after looking at the list of stuff there, I'm more confused than ever! What the heck is BroadJump Client Foundation, ABBYY FineReader 6.0 Sprint, and SAGEM F@st 800-840????????