Computer problems please help?

Question

My computer keeps saying it is too low on virtual memory and now it is so slow it takes like 5 minutes to log into anything. The drive C is at 79% and drive D is at 63% memory left but the virtual memory is drive C 37% and drive D 20%.I have been told I need to buy a stick of memory either in 256 or 512, my question is which one do I need and how do I install it? I have a emachine windows xp with 256 RAm and 100 GB hard drive and 56 k modem. What would happen if the memory got all the way to 0%.Is this something anybody can install or do I need to take it to a computer expert?

Answer 1

it is very easy and simple for everyone to changing RAM.
you must only remove the old RAM and replace it with new RAM. But you should know that RAMs are in different types like: SD-RAM, DD-RAM. and you motherboard supports only one type of it. it is necessary for you to know which type of RAM that your motherboard supports.
as another point, you should be careful to don't place it on opposite side that may damage your RAM.
of course if your problem is only that error message, you can correct it by setting up your virtual memory in :
"system property\advanced\performance\advanced\change".

Answer 2

It sounds like you are pushing your limits with your memory and your space. Try deleting any files you really don't need. Run the clean up programs built into your systems programs to reorganize what is left. Then take anything important and download them to disks or memory sticks. Increasing the capabilities of the emachine has been by some I have heard difficult. It's easier to clean than increase. If you have programs you are not using - delete them. Just clean house a bit and it should make a big difference. Sounds bogged down. Also, some people leave several programs open at the same time while they are on the computer and these open (even if not being used) programs still draw away memory and resources.

Answer 3

Yes, you can install memory on your own, but unless you know what you're doing you should have a professional do it for you. It won't take them long to do, it just snaps right in place, but there's a risk of static electricity getting to it if you don't know what you're doing.
As to fixing the problem for now, you may have too many programs running at once, or you could've been at a website that has a memory leak. Just close out all your programs you have running and reboot your computer. That should fix the problem. As long as you don't have a lot of programs running (or you could be running a couple programs that require a lot of the memory), you shouldn't get that problem too much. You may not even need any extra memory installed unless you absolutely need to have all those programs running.

Hope this helps. =)

Answer 4

You need to know what type of ram your mother board supports.

It is probably non ECC , unbuffed DIMM Ram. But there could be a few things you need to know. Its not aways easy to get this info.

I suggest you put 512MB total in it. You probably have two sticks of 128MB installed. So you could maybe add 2 more 128 or take out your two and add two 256MB sticks.

Every task and process your computer runs takes up ram. If you run out of ram totally you will get an error message every time you start your PC and will half to kill some tasks.

Here is what you need to know. What slot type you have there is Simm , Dimm , Rimm you probably have Dimm.

Then there is unbufed and buffed. You probably have unbuffed

Then there is ECC and non ECC. You probably have non ECC.

Next you need to find out how many ram banks you have places to add ram to. Then you need to know what is the total amount of ram your operating system can support witch is over 1GB so your OK there. Then you need to know what your mother board can support. Its safe to say it can support at least 512MB.

Adding ram is not that hard but on some computers you might need to remove somethings and clear wire's out of the way. If your not into computer much I suggest you get help from someone you know or take your PC in to a tech. Good luck. I did not explain everything fully because I'm bad at expressing things though chat.

Sorry for the spelling and grammar mistakes.

---edited---
For your computers safety do not do what "phy333" did. You want all your ram sticks to be the same. All 128MB or 256MB etc.

Also if they are not the same your PC probably will not run in dual channel. Dual channel increases your Rams speed. Its not easy to explain just do not do what she did.

Answer 5

One thing is that you need to go to the your computer site and see if it is running sdram or ddr that makes a diffrence, and also the speed of the ram it is also like it will be 266 or 333 or 400, then up grade it to (2 512KB) kit sticks cause they are better than individual sticks, at least get you memeory up to either a kit of 256 or if your mother board will suppot it a Gig, but 5121 will be an improvement for sure.

Answer 6

Buy a 512 gm. You can install it yourself. Be sure you buy the right one for your pc. There should be an empty spot where you can click it in next to your 256 chip (have to open the back or side of tower) . You will then have 768. If you are unsure then have someone who is familiar with pc's to install it for you.

Hope that helps.

I just added 512 to mine the same way.

Answer 7

Yea, CircuitCity is the best place or just a neighborhood computer technician. Depending on what you're going to use the memory for e.g. videos, pictures, word documents etc..will determine the amount of memory you will need. If you have lots of vidoes and pictures you need a larger memory stick, if it is for just simple word documents, then go with the smaller stick. Installing it isn't as hard as it sounds, but if you're scared you might break something or aren't computer friendly hehe, take it to a technician.

Answer 8

You can change your virtual memory to a higher amount.... I don't know about adding memory....but you might want to check your memory settings first...Might be as simple as changing it.

Go to Start
Control Panel
Performance and Maintence
System
Advanced
You'll see Performance at the top, click settings
Then on Setting Click the tab advanced at the top
At the bottom is your virtual memory......

You can change it there.

Mine is set at 576mb if that helps but if I am running low I up it some....

Hope this helps!

Answer 9

You really should take out that 256MB stick, and trash it. Then, replace it with a single 1GB stick. Of course, virtual memory isn't memory at all, it's hard disk space that Windows has to use as memory, because you don't have anywhere near enough RAM.

Answer 10

Anyone can easily install it. Usually when you run windows xp you want to have atleast 512MB of RAM even though microsoft recommends 256MB or so. I would write exactly how to do it. But it's easier with pictures and this site looks like it shows it pretty well:

http://www.lifehacker.com/software/feature/hack-attack-how-to-install-ram-138665.php

if you have trouble with it do a search for "install ram" on the net. Make sure you have windows managing your paging file as well just to make sure. Also you may want to look into defrag programs such as Diskeeper.