Help with PC Memory Problem please

[LIZS]

Using Windows XP pc is running slow with memory issues. CPU has recently been showing as working at 100% from time to time, have had Low Virtual Memory message and had problems running and saving Word documents, for example. Yesterday it recognised a memory stick as a drive but would not copy any files onto it or re-save them saying the disk was full. Is it a case of deleting old files and redundant programs or will that not help the processing issue. When I look at My Computer there appears to be at least 2/3 of the memory free. Any ideas please.

you can change the virtual memory.

go to control panel
system
advanced system settings
"performance"
settings
change virtual memory to something bigger

(advanced after settings)

Thank you. Have been able to increase it to 3072mb from 1536 - is it effectively immediately or would we need to restart? There was still 106940mb of disk space free so presumably we don't have a hard drive space issue.

I think you need to restart it.

I can't guarantee it will help.
I had to get a new memory strip (so not the memory that you put data on, but a little chip), that sped the computer up.

the way I explained it (originially when I knew what it was all about)
is that: the memory strip is your bookcase.
it's a short bookcase and you've got 20 books (which is your 106940), and they all fit nicely, but there's not much room to move around.
in order to be able to move the books around better, you need a bigger bookcase.

If the virtual memory fix doesn't work, then look for that.

I will try to find out exactly the name of the strip (but a good computer shop will understand what you mean)

here we go
:)

and a bit more info

Yeah the free disk space is about how much room you've got to store stuff. That's where all you documents are saved.

The memory you are having problems with is the 'energy' to do all the jobs. If you are running out of this memory and trying to do too many things at the same time they all just happen really slowly.

Thanks to you both . It seems a bit livelier this morning so fingers crossed, otherwise will look into expanding the memory.

It's cheap and easy to do. Have a look at the Offtek website. If you put in the make and model of your computer, they'll tell you what sort of memory (RAM) will fit it, and how much it'll cost.

If you're running XP, 2GB (2048MB) is a good amount to go for. Any less will cause speed problems, and any more probably won't get used.