Windows 7 forum: "Your computer is low on memory." But why?!

You're fully right, especially about defragging and about having enough disc space for the full life of the laptop.

Two notes, however:
- I have my page file set at 2 GB fixed (on a machine that has 2.9 GB available for Windows). That's enough for me (the 1.5 to 2 times recommendation dates from long ago and is too much now). So that's included in the used space, not in the needed free space. The used space also includes the hibernation file.
- In a machine you buy now the hard disk usually is 500 GB or more. I wonder if Windows still thinks it needs 75 GB for defragging. Possibly. Probably, even. But it seems a lot if there are no files bigger than a few GB.

Darrell, however, is exaggerating the other way around. His free space went from 91% to 82% when he installed Windows 8 next to Windows 7 and he panicked so much that he removed Windows 7 to go back to 91%. Which made him happy again.

Thanks for the correction.

Kees

Much of that was Greek to me (and I studied Greek at the seminary) but I've got a lot of replies to read and reread. Some of what you suggested was what the tech did. I keep CCleaner updated, but should probably run it more often.
Thanks for the info.
PP

Thank you. I must have missed that.

Thanks for the info. From watching my screen as he worked, I think the tech did much of what you mentioned in #2. The last time I checked my firmware was up-to-date, but it has been some time. I'll do a little research on that.
Thanks again!
PP

Pastor Paul -- I just checked the sized of my Windows directory (upgraded from Vista 64-bit to Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium) and found it to be 26 GB. That's about 1/2 of your total SSD size! If you have any programs besides Windows, you will take up more space; my Program Files (x86) contains another 10 GB and I don't run that many different programs. It's likely that your Virtual Memory (VM) is set too high for the amount of disk that remains. For instance, if you set the VM to use 20 GB and you only have 15 GB remaining, you will get the warning messages, even if your programs don't really use all of the space. Use Explorer to see how much disk space you have left and set the VM maximum to maybe half or two-thirds that. If you have a lot of RAM, you shouldn't need much VM in normal operation. Windows will figure out how to use what VM you give it, even if it isn't a lot.

Many systems come with lots of trial and basic level software; not everyone gets rid of this, especially when they re-install the OS and immediately gift the system to a new home. Go to the Control Panel -> Programs and Features and Uninstall any programs that you aren't going to use, such as trial offers of security programs, basic multimedia editing and authoring (I'm guessing here, since you were willing to accept a disk with only 60 GB), business productivity, games, etc. This will free up more disk space for uses that you really want.

Just because Win 7 thinks that something isn't compatible, it doesn't mean that it won't work. You should go ahead and install your program in Win 7 and then Run it in the XP Compatible Mode -- i.e. don't try the Install program in the XP Compatible Mode (I bumped into this once, so I know not to install using the XP Compatible Mode). It's also worth a little trial-and-error with the compatibility settings before giving up on your program. I installed some things that Win 7 didn't think were compatible and they seem to be fine so far. Also, since you aren't the only one who ever purchased the program, you should check online with a search engine for help. I managed to get a 10 year old Sony PDA (long gone from the market) to work with Win 7, SP1 64-bit by finding some help like that.

As wpgwpg mentioned, other Windows settings also have a bearing on your disk usage. Minimizing the size of the Recycle Bin, System Restore, browser and media viewer caches, etc. can also help you maintain more SSD for your usage. This is also true for any programs that offer auto backup while editing -- auto saving two dozen drafts for each document can eat up the disk space.

I agree with turning off as many of the startup programs as you can. They take up RAM and generally do little, especially with an SSD. Often there are small programs that speed up launches of larger programs, such as Adobe Reader, that are useful with slow hard drives but completely unnecessary with SSD. Also, turn off auto updates for programs, such as Adobe Reader, because they also install small programs that take up RAM while doing little. You can manually update whenever you like, and by doing this, you will save RAM (and VM) space; you just have to remember to do this, like once a week, or just before you exit a program when you complete your task. I have most of my programs to check for updates but to download manually; this can also be a good compromise if you don't want to remember to do it, as it usually doesn't run the full download & install package so it still keeps your RAM usage low.

Best of luck to you!

When Windows 7 first came out, it was spec'd for a minimum of 2GB of memory originally. When I looked at the specs for the M-73, it seems like it usually came with 2GB of memory, but can now be maxed out to 4GB with the right memory chips. From the system specs, I'm betting that the ability to go to 4GB of memory came after the system came out originally. If you now have 2GB of memory, which is what I'm guessing from what you're seeing, you should upgrade to 4GB. Memory is pretty cheap right now, and this would really make a big difference for you. I'm sure that you could get help to do this, if you're not sure how to do it, or not able to do it yourself.

If you raised your memory to 4GB, I'll bet that you could create a Windows XP VM using VMware Player (it's easy to do with media and a product key, maybe from a previous Windows XP computer) that would allow you to run your Windows XP program. Although, since your processor doesn't have VT technology, the VM wouldn't run like a house afire, it would still work for you.

Also, if you had more memory and upgraded your OS to Windows 7 Professional, you would have the "Windows XP mode" then, which is an actual Windows XP VM. That's much better than the Windows XP compatibility mode that comes with Windows 7 Home Premium. You can buy that specific upgrade from Amazon, and other companies as well.

Anyways, if you do have 2GB of memory, I'm not surprised that you're having the problems that you describe. Getting your computer memory up to 4GB will really help you, and Windows 7 will be much happier.

Believe me, its NOT your O.S., Windows 7 Home Premium SP-1 is going to be around for a LONG time, its going to out last the new Windows 8 O.S. that put the screws to P.C. owners. It was developed for really just for Microsoft's Surface RT, new Microsoft phone and touch tablets and NOT P.C. or Laptop owners.

My advice is to get the utility called "Advanced System Care 6" and run that once a week and I believe you find that your memory problem will be solved IMHO...............try it out, can't loose! You can find it on CNET.com or ZDNET.com downloads, hope that helps.

RamblingRam

I don't think 60 GB is enough storage to run Win 7. Period. But I learned something here - i didn't know about Readyboost! ! think that is an excellent suggestion, and I just got a 32 GB flashdrive for 15 bux.
Even with that solution for the memory problem, however I still believe more storage is needed to do anything with a Win 7 computer except possibly check email. The computer I'm writing this on is 6 months old, and over 50 GB out of 111 (supposedly 128 GB drive) on the SSD is used. This is a desktop, and I also have a 1 TB internal drive and another 1 TB external drive which is shared by 3 computers.
However, unless the laptop is just being used as a desktop and never moved, an external drive is impractical for it. But in addition to a flashdrive for readyboost, any number of flashdrives could be used for storage, so long as no more than one or two were needed at a given time. It's kind of mickey mouse, but it may be the only solution for this particular situation.

Do NOT defrag an SSD. First, SSD's do not suffer fragmentation the same way as regular hard drives and do not suffer performance wise when retrieving data from fragmented files as there are no moving heads. Second, SSD's have a limited write lifetime and defragmenting the drive will eat up those writes and wear the drive out much earlier than otherwise.

If I was going to swap out the hard drive, I'd put the original back in. But I've received so much advice that giving up my SSD would REALLY slow my computer down. I'm going to sift through the advice and suggestions, especially from the technician who seems to have fixed my problem, and settle for my 60GB until I have to buy a new computer or until some generous hard drive manufacturer puts a large SSD in my Christmas stocking. Thanks for the tip on ReadyBoost. Even with a USB hub I don't know if I've got an open port, but it's worth looking into.
Thanks for the info!
PP

Hello Pastor Paul G

There is some great advice in this forum thus far regarding your problem in particular that given by Hforman and SD_DS. Therefore, I'll not continue reiterating the same information.

Your system may be suffering from a condition known as Memory Leak. Unfortunately, there's no quick fix (program or solution) other than to conduct monitoring of your system processes to uncover the program or "bug" that may be causing the problem. On the other hand one program that may be causing the problem is Explorer and its plug-ins. Below are two links that go into more detail...one generic and the other specific to Memory Leaks in Windows Applications:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_leak

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd744766(v=vs.85).aspx

I don't know your level of computer skill but one sure way to resolve the issue is to wipe your drive and perform a Clean Install of the OS and your programs (probably the route the computer shop you mentioned was going to follow). This also has the added benefit of removing any programs or bloat-ware that you don't need. The bloat-ware is probably a non-issue since you say the previous owner removed the original drive and installed the SSD.

Since your SSD is only 60GB I'd recommend not using the SSD as a storage device. Only use it for the OS and program launch. I would recommend storing any editable document/files on an External HD or Flash Memory. My suggestion would be to off-load all you editable documents/files to external storage immediately. This includes iTunes which does not have to reside on your main drive. Here's a link to show you how:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1364?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Some older SSD's do not have a TRIM service built-in which helps to maintain the read/write integreity of the drive that may deteriorate over time do to constant file editing. In most cases the TRIM service is activated by the OEM software of the computer and not available to aftermarket installs. In that case the SSD manufacturer may employ another life-preserving technique called "Garbage Collection" which has pretty much the same affect as TRIM service. You can research your SSD to determine if either of the services I just mentioned are employed by the manufacturer.

There will probably be some more great suggestions appearing after I post this. I'd look for comments by High Desert Charlie and Waytron. Good look to resolve your problem. Happy Holidays!

Together Everyone Achieves More

Ok from what you are saying it sounds more like you are running low on disk space memory not actual RAM memory. Here is what I have discovered as well when I upgraded my Desktop to an 256 GB SSD. While I already knew the correct formula for creating your virtual memory also known as a page file, what I found is that on Windows 7 it will automatically use a very similar formula but it's set to allow Windows to create it on its own. However when the Windows team was developing 7 I don't think they were taking that small of a drive into account. The proper formula for previous operating systems was to change your page file to
1.5 X your amount of RAM in Megabytes for the initial Value, and then double this number for the Maximum Value. However this is a serious problem for SSD Drives for a couple reasons
1) Obviously the storage space is an issue and you don't want a page file that takes up half your drive.
2) Most SSD drives have a built in feature that once you pass 50% capacity they change from performance mode over to storage mode. What this means is that essentially you lose any and all speed benefits of the SSD over the standard drive type.
Depending on the amount of RAM you have, you shouldn't need to use this formula so change the page file to custom setting. If you have 8 GB or better of RAM and you are on 64Bit version of Windows 7 use the following numbers for your Page File 2048 for minimum and 4092 for Max Value. Apply settings and reboot.
This is plenty and more than enough for effective Virtual Memory given the fact that Virtual Memory was originally designed to assist computers with low amounts of Physical Memory (RAM).
This will free up all kinds of space on the hard drive, additionally remove any and all applications on the computer that you have no need to use through programs and features in the control panel. Remember you are working on very little space for this particular operating system. I am using 84 GB of Space out of my 256 on my SSD, but I have a lot of applications installed as I am an IT Student & IT Professional. If you need any assistance on this you can contact me via my website MyPCServices I do offer remote online support and would be willing to assist you further.
But let's assume you have 8 GB of RAM then your page file may be using 12 GB's of Hard Drive space, and up to 24 GB for the Max Value which not only would throw you over the 50% threshold, but could also be accounting for the lack of space left giving you this error when you attempt to run programs. Now if you have even more RAM than that you have to assume that it is using even larger numbers than that. Anything that has 8GB of RAM or Better performs better with having some Virtual Memory as opposed to none at all, However it doesn't need much at all and that is why I would change it to what comes down to 2GB initial Value=2048 and 4GB Max=4096.
I hope this has been helpful.
PcTechPaul

A lot of that 26GB in your Windows 7 directory could be the backup of the upgraded original O/S, Vista. I've had upgrade installs leave the former O/S in a folder(s) named OldWindows or something similar.

BTW, if they are deleted before activation you may have problems using an upgrade Win7 DVD, it won't activate because it now can't see the original O/S and assumes you're trying to do a clean install which requires the "full" DVD.

This is why you do not install new operating systems in a computer that is obsolete. memory issues are just one item. others will follow.

Get a new computer with the proper operating system that the hardware was made for.

If you install windows XP the computer will work much better. It will have the hardware to handle it.