Windows XP: Windows Virtual Memory is too low--what's that all about?
- 8/7/09 1:17 PM
Except and due to the mere fact that ...
by Randy Walter - 8/8/09 12:49 AM In reply to: EXCEPT??? by High Desert CharlieMy Dell motherboard has four RAM slots. I am currently using two of them. There a 1G stick in both of them. According to your post how do I reconcile the fact that I have two unused slots. Should I increase my total RAM by inserting two more sticks to balance out the voltages of the entire motherboard?
The Number of Slots Doesn't Matter
by High Desert Charlie - 8/9/09 12:28 PM In reply to: Except and due to the mere fact that ... by Randy WalterHi Randy,
Your unused slots aren't a problem so long as the two sticks of RAM you are using are in the right slots. Many motherboards use a color coding system to identify common "Banks" of RAM.
In my experience, if you have 4 slots for memory they represent 2 Banks. Usually the bank closest to the CPU is Bank 1, Slot A. The slot with the same color as Bank 1, Slot A is Bank 1, Slot B. These two slots would hold the first RAM stick (in slot A) and the second RAM stick (in slot B).
If you are using a third and fourth stick of RAM you follow the same procedure. Use the slot closest to the CPU (Bank 2, slot A), and for a fourth stick use the remaining slot (Bank 2, slot B).
I should remind you that motherboards tend to be very picky about what type of RAM you're using, and regardless of how many sticks you use, they should all be the same. You can usually mix RAM size (ie. 1GB + 2GB= 3GB), but other specifications must remain the same.
Technically, filling all 4 slots on your motherboard with identical RAM modules provides the best performance and longevity. The work and voltage required to do the work is spread out over more resources. But it's probably not going to be very noticeable to the user.
Finally Randy, check with Dell Technical support regarding your specific motherboard. There are exceptions to the information provided herein. Ask them what is the maximum amount of memory your motherboard can support, and what is the slot configuration for your particular motherboard.
Hope I answered your question.
Good Luck!!!
RAM size can be mixed, RAM must be paired
by dg27 - 8/9/09 12:58 PM In reply to: The Number of Slots Doesn't Matter by High Desert CharlieIn response to the statement from Randy
>>You can usually mix RAM size (ie. 1GB + 2GB= 3GB), but other specifications must remain the same.
This directly contradicts all recommendations I've ever read, which all indicated that RAM should only be installed in matched pairs, for example in one machine I have
Channel A, DIMM 0 = 1024 MB
Channel B, DIMM 0 = 512 MB
Channel A, DIMM 1 = 1024 MB
Channel B, DIMM 1 = 512 MB
for a total of 3 GB.
Not alternating and matching is known to cause problems. I'd advise going to www.crucial.com and using their "Advisor," which will tell you exactly what you need and can and cannot use (you don't necessarily have to buy there, but their tool is great).
dg
Not strictly correct!
by hawkwind99 - 8/8/09 8:55 AM In reply to: Good Advice EXCEPT by moondoggyWin XP with SP3 installed will use up to 2.5gb RAM!
On my server I use a quad core CPU and matching Corsair RAM (2x8gb=16gb) XP Pro x86, Vista Pro 64bit and Seven Ultimate 64bit.
XP does use a full 2.5gb of it. I run benchmarking tools (part of my trade) and can assure you this is correct! I had to run a few tests before I could believe it.
Simple way to tell is to go to Start/Control Panel/System and look at how much RAM it shows under "computer" on the general tab.
It can be dangerous playing with these so called fix it all programs, you could end up sending your system into the ether! Get someone who knows what they are doing to check and use the professional PC tools that are run in DOS mode.
Win XP: 2 GB vs 3 GB RAM
by dg27 - 8/8/09 4:25 PM In reply to: Good Advice EXCEPT by moondoggyI have two Dell Dimension 8400s (XP Home, SP3) that are identical except that one has 2 GB of RAM and the other has 3 GB. I run Adobe CS4 on both machines and often have Bridge, Acrobat, and Photoshop running at the same time. Although I have the same scratch disk setting on both machines, the 3 GB machine is much faster in these applications.
Smart thinking
by Randy Walter - 8/8/09 5:03 PM In reply to: Win XP: 2 GB vs 3 GB RAM by dg27Congratulations, dg27. You have just empirically figured out why it is more cost effective to add more RAM instead of VM when the CPU issues an IO interrupt. Typically, it takes about 50 milliseconds (it might be more or less depending on how much money you want spend on a HD) to get data from the VM on a HD versus nanoseconds for RAM to access the data the CPU is waiting for. It is a good thing RAM has got to be so cheap.
Low Virtual memory
by bigbobt - 8/8/09 10:56 AM In reply to: Simple Steps Go a Long Way by High Desert CharlieI concur with High Desert Charlie. I do have to add however that one can also use a 4G Jumpdrive to handle caching of ongoing programs on your system. I will give you up to 3.8G of cache. All other items that High Dessert Charlie are critical in keeping a machine running smoothly. After the Tune Up and Clean Up defrag your drive at least once a month.
low virtual memory
by LilBlackBullDog - 8/8/09 2:06 PM In reply to: Simple Steps Go a Long Way by High Desert CharlieHi Marilyn,
I have found that by deleting all in the "prefetch" folder has helped me from having a low virtual memory. I clear this folder quite often. It has a the places (sites, etc.) where I have been. This is all stored on the computer for quick access.
click to explore my computer>>>find the "C" drive. There is a folder called "Windows"...open the "Windows" folder and look for a folder called "Prefetch">>>open this folder and delete all information. This will free up space that your computer can use when you are booting up or while you are using other programs.
*****if you have a folder in there called "Ready Boot" ~~~DO NOT TOUCH OR DELETED UNLESS YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT IS AND IT'S PURPOSE~~. I DO NOT TOUCH THIS FOLDER, I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I ONLY DELETE THE OTHER INFORMATION.*******
After you delete the excess information close all windows and try rebooting to see if it has helped you. I pray this will help you with your problem.
Good Luck and God Bless,
LilBlackBullDog
Praying?
by Olifrench - 8/9/09 2:18 AM In reply to: low virtual memory by LilBlackBullDogFaith-based solutions only help if you're a believer and deleting stuff from your hard disk only helps with virtual memory problems if you don't have space for windows to extend the page file after displaying the message that started this thread.
readyboot explained
by Randy Walter - 8/9/09 4:50 PM In reply to: low virtual memory by LilBlackBullDogREADYBOOT is a performance enhancing feature utilized by the Windows VISTA kernel for prefetching at boot time. To put it simply, READYBOOT is used in conjunction with READYBOOST when idle CPU time is available to create a boot time caching plan for the next boot by analyzing file information from the last five boots. This results in an approximate 20% gain over the XP prefetch. I don't think it would be a good idea to horse around with the READYBOOT folder.
I agree
by jzou - 8/10/09 11:38 AM In reply to: readyboot explained by Randy WalterI agree. I have a general policy of not touching the systems settings/files on C drive.
This is actual memory (RAM) not virtual memory.
by keithhodgson - 8/9/09 6:44 AM In reply to: Simple Steps Go a Long Way by High Desert CharlieYour answer referes to RAM and not virtual memory, which is hard disk swap space. Not once did you suggest checking how much room was on the hard disk, or a defrag or checking what VM was set at in casse she wasn't running ith enough. I'm glad I'm not one of your customers!!!!!!!
Please Read a Little Closer
by High Desert Charlie - 8/9/09 1:14 PM In reply to: This is actual memory (RAM) not virtual memory. by keithhodgsonHi Keith,
I apologize for not communicating to you very well in my original post. You'll notice in my post I suggested several things and several possibilities.
Low Virtual Memory errors are generally caused because the combination of RAM and Paged (your Swap Space) memory are inadequate to handle the demands being requested by the operating system. While it's true that a full hard drive can hamper or even disable Windows capability to "Swap Space", it's not what causes a Low Virtual Memory error. Until you address the fact that something is using up all of your memory resources the hard drive becomes a secondary issue.
That is why first, I suggest you eliminate startup programs that are not needed. It's like going into the Emergency room - First you restore the heartbeat and breathing, then you can examine other symptoms. In this case, freeing up some memory space allows you to diagnose other problems that could be present.
Many of the previous posts had recommended checking disk space, and general tune-up remedies as possible solutions. I as well discussed that "Tuning up your computer will, of course, speed up your system and reduce the number of system freeze-ups and slow-downs." Forgive me if I seemed vague, but I thought the Tune-up solution had already been pretty well covered.
Stopping programs from starting up when you boot your computer (freeing RAM both Hard and Virtual) and increasing the amount of your memory provide the valuable resources your system needs to run.
In our business a standard tune-up includes; Freeing up Disk Space using Disk Cleanup or similar software, Speeding up Access Time by running Defrag, but only when necessary, Checking the Hard Drive for errors and insuring data on the drive is not nearing the 85% level, Optimizing Internet functions, removing Malware and Viruses, Cleaning up and compacting the Registry, fixing Broken Shortcuts, and a host of other diagnostics too long to list in this forum. To sum these all up I mentioned that once the initial Memory issue has been addressed, a tune-up may be useful.
Once again, I apologize for my inadequate communication, and thank you for helping me make my message a little more clear for others.
Best Wishes and Good Luck
Thanks for the advice
by Fli-by - 8/10/09 11:32 AM In reply to: Simple Steps Go a Long Way by High Desert CharlieThe info you gave was spot on.. Thanks
Simple Steps Go a Long Way - Solution Part II
by janetjinmk - 8/28/09 10:21 PM In reply to: Simple Steps Go a Long Way by High Desert CharlieYou didn't mention how to go about Solution Part II, i.e. maximize the memory installed in your computer. Could you elaborate on it please? thanks
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