Low memory message

[sweetpea...!]

If I only have task manager open my cpu runs at about 5% and my memory is about 60%, once the internet is on memory use goes up to about 80%. I keep getting a message to turn the internet off as memory is low - but it's all that is open. Might as well read a book! My hard drive is only half full. Could it be a virus using up the memory? I've tried scanning with AVG 7.5 but found nothing.

It's Vista home basic, 512MB,32bit and 58GB free from 89.9GB. Intel Celeron D.

Thank you.

[ChuckFickens]

Please don't turn the internet off, you'll upset millions of people!

Errrr, vista on 512mb.... I'm not surprised your getting low memory warnings.

Increase your memory buy buying and fitting more, at least another 512mb though the more the better (upto a point)

[sweetpea...!]

thanks Chuck - I thought as the disc had plenty of room that there was something going on somewhere. More memory it is then!!

[ChuckFickens]

512 is the minimum recommend amount for vista home basic (all the other versions recommend 1gb minimum) but once you start adding a few other things running in the back ground it will really struggle with only 512.

2gb is generally considered the "sweet spot" for vista, but 1 or 1.5GB would improve things very noticeably.

if your not sure what type of memory to buy the link below will scan your system and tell you (you don't have to buy your memory from them, shop around for a decent price but I'd say stick to branded memory)

http://www.crucial.com/uk/index.aspx?cpe=CHAWK uk

[sweetpea...!]

chuck I'll have to take it somewhere - is adding memory a diy job - I can change a plug but after that......?

I will do the memory scan though.

thanks again.

[ChuckFickens]

once you run the scan look on the right side of the results page and there is an install guide for both notebooks and desktops.

It's easy to do (probably about the easiest DIY upgrade there is)

that said though if you buy it from a local shop I should imagine most would install either for free or for a very nominal charge (I'd say much over 5quid would be excessive if your buying the ram from them!)

[sweetpea...!]

bad news - tried to run the scan - it said ooh you are using vista so please download this and when you have saved it click .exe. I downloaded and saved but then couldn't find it - i didn't see where it had saved it. Is there an obvious place to look or should i download again - so sorry I'm an idiot.

[sweetpea...!]

a fiver to put it in, that's a bargain - I noticed on the scan site that memory prices weren't too steep. thanks for all your help chuck.

[ChuckFickens]

it's about a 2 minute job to put most ram in

When you download the file a window should popup asking where you want to save it, make a mental note of where it's saving it so you can find it.

[sweetpea...!]

thanks again Chuck - one small step for mankind but bloomin' half an hour fiddlin' about for me!!!

[sweetpea...!]

and I mean downloading the scan not putting the ram in!!! thanks again, again.

[trish432]

I`m bad at finding stuff after, so now I always save to desktop, if I get the option, then there`s no problem finding it again.