RAM memory

[johntywino]

I have available memory of 78.61mb out of 512 mb total physical memory, 1.96gb of 2.00gb of virtual memory and pagefile space (?) of 919.39mb......I have just been told that I need to upgrade the RAM....Is this correct, or can I somehow remove lots and lots of junk off the computer? Thanks, John.

[rojash]

Removing stuff from the computer will not affect RAM, which is the working memory, not storage.
512 MB is pretty small, though you haven't mentioned which OS you are using.

Go to crucial.com and get a scan to tell you what memory is suitable and what your options are.

http://www.crucial.com/
Click the Scan my System button

[VHG]

You have 512Mb of RAM (real memory). When the computer is off this memory is empty.

When you turn your computer on any program that starts (including Windows) uses some of this RAM memory. Every time you start another program is also goes in this RAM memory.

So this RAM memory can fill up, so the more RAM memory you have the better.

If this memory DOES fill up then Windows copies some of the data out to your hard disk in an area called the pagefile (also known as Virtual Memory).

If Windows is continually copying data out from RAM into the pagefile it can slow your computer down.

Simplest solution is to increase the memory from 512Mb to 1Gb (in fact 2Gb is even better but may be over the top).

You should notice a performance improvement going up to 1Gb.

[VHG]

As rojash says, having programs actually INSTALLED on your computer makes no difference to the amount of RAM memory that is used. They just sit on your hard disk doing nothing.

You could have 500 programs installed on your ocmputer, but if none of them start then none of them will go into RAM memory.

The only thing you should check is how many programs AUTOSTART (which means they start when Windows starts but do it quietly in the background).

If a lot of programs autostart then it could be filling up your RAM memory and slowing your computer down.

Many of them probably dont need to start when your computer starts (some do of course like your anti virus and other programs)

[johntywino]

Hi VHG, on startup I have got: jusched atiptaxx realsched recguard hpsysdrv hpcmpmgr msmsgs hpdigital imaging. If these hps are to do with the printer,I only use it about once a week...I don't think I use msm at all. I dont know the others. If I bought 2x512mb of memory, are they easy to fit, or should I take it to PC World to be done ? thanks, John.

[VHG]

Memory is one of the easiest upgrades you can do. Laptop or desktop are both easy.

If you have 512Mb already you may only need another 512Mb (although some different types of memory dont like working together so may be best to buy 2x512Mb of the same make).

[johntywino]

Rojash and VHG.Thanks very much, youv'e both been a great help John