"Virtual Memory Low": how do I increase RAM?

Question

Currently I have:
Pentium 4 CPU 1.8GHz
1.79 GHz, 256 MB of RAM
running Win XP

I work with Adobe CS and I'm bothered by slow applications and low virtual memory warnings. I'm guessing I need more RAM, but how much should I get? Is it something I can do on my own? I don't want to spend too much $$ cuz I'll be upgrading my system soon. Any suggestions/help will be much appreciated:)

Also, I've already increased my virtual memory setting to the max and I keep my HD relatively clean. The Dell support person actually told me to reintall XP and start over--seems rather drastic and unnecessary.

Answer 1

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You need to buy more RAM. At least 512 Mb. But 1 Gig will be ideal and you won't have to wait much for anything......ever. As long as you keep you HD clear, you'll notice no slow speed with 1 Gig.

Also, if you are talking about a laptop, some of your RAM is used by the computer so that you don't truly get all of the 256 Mb you say you have. With a laptop, I'd definitely go with a Gig.

If you bought it through Dell, they will have a record of your order and can tell you exactly what RAM was installed at the factory.

If not, you can open the computer and see what type you have (pc333, sodimm2700, ie.) Then you can buy a second stick if your computer has a slot for it. If not, then buy a larger single stick.

But anyway you go, Windows XP requires more memory than some older versions. Running XP and any other program at the same time and you will notice lag. Get more RAM. This will speed up your computer. You'll see it running software and browsing the Internet.

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Answer 2

If you're running Adobe CS, then 256MB is not going to be enough... If you don't want to spend too much money, then I'd get a 512MB card (and yes, you can do it yourself) just make sure that it fits with your motherboard (ask a professional).

If you really want to upgrade soon, then I'd suggest waiting until you've bought your PC and taking your old computer's RAM and installing it in the new one.

Another thing that you can do is this (you might RUIN YOUR PC so do this at your OWN DISCRETION)
When your computer starts, many software programs will automatically start to run in the background. These are called processes. It can range from spyware (bad) to quicktime (unnecessary) or Antivirus programs (necessary). These processes all take up RAM. You can save RAM by telling the computer not to load these processes on startup. You can change which programs get to open on startup by doing the following:

Start > Run
Type the following (without quotes) "msconfig"
Go to the [Startup] tab
Now you have a list of all the programs.
Open your web browser.
Proceed to the following site http://www.processlibrary.com/
You will see a search field in the middle of the page.
Proceed to type in the Startup Item names each process in the system configuration utility, searching for it on the website.
Be sure to type in EXACTLY what you see, with no spelling mistakes.
The website will tell you which programs the process belongs to and if the program is absolutely necessary or not. You may uncheck the item in the System Configuration Utility if you deem it unnecessary.
Once you've searched though all of the items, click OK.
Restart your system.

Answer 3

The main thing to worry about is the fact that you only have 256 MB of RAM*. The price of buying a new stick really depends of the size and type of RAM that you buy. Going by your computer specs I'm going to say that you can only run DDR**. Now DDR is pretty inexpensive but its not as powerful as DDR2^. But to upgrade to 3/4 gig RAM is going to cost around $45. ('3/4 gig' meaning that you buy a 512 MB RAM stick and install it in conjunction with your 256 MB preinstalled RAM.)


*RAM- Random Access Memory= where your computer stores and caches its temporary files.

*DDR- single channel RAM, good for basic PC apps.

^DDR2- dual channel RAM, best for high end applications. E.g. graphically intensive gaming, PhotoShop, having multiple applications open at once.

Answer 4

If you do not know how to increase RAM then you probably do not know what it looks like either. If you do know what it looks like, open your computer and find where it is... a long thing about 6" long that would be somewhat similar to a harmonica that had been run over by a Mac truck. It has a lot of little flat black squares on it, maybe on both sides, and somewhere stamped on it will be some identification as to exactly what type it is. 256mb of RAM these days is not a lot; you probably have three more open slots and if you do get more of the same kind of RAM and plug them in and see what happens. you should notice a marked increase in speed of all you applications.

Answer 5

Reinstalling XP seem ridiculous...

To add RAM, you have to purchase sticks of it. You'll need to look at yours to figure out what type you need and then buy that. How much you'll spend will depend on what you need and how much you want.

I am surprised that you have a Pentium 4 and only 256 MB. 512 is usually standard. You almost always need 1GB to run any big program efficiently though.

Also, you can have multiple sticks of RAM... so if you buy a 1 GB stick and add it, you will have 1288 (?) MB

Answer 6

Hi, hope this would help you by increasing the virtual memory

go to system properties (right click on MY COMPUTER and select PROPERTIES)

select ADVANCED tab on the top

left click on Performance SETTINGS

select ADVANCED tab on the top

and left click on CHANGE under Virtual Memory

increase the figure to about 1024 MB if u have a higher capacity hard drive

and I'm sure this would help you.

Saves Money if u wanna upgrade ur PC soon

Answer 7

u can delete some files u do not use or simply BUY a much more higher RAM that supports ur motherboard.. windows XP can support 512mb of RAM add an additonal 256MB if it has RAM slot but if not change ur original 256 to 512 RAM !!

Answer 8

So..
The first thing to do to speed up pc and get rid of malwares and viruses is cleaning the registry with a program like CCLeaner http://bit.ly/UrAsgu
It's a very simple and nice software.

Answer 9

virtual memory is not RAM, it is the special space on the hardrive that is treated like RAM, to solve this you need to go to Control Panel, click on the System icon, on the new window choose Advanced tab, click on Settings in the Performance area it is the first from top button, click Advanced tab, click on the change button, click on System managed size in the middle of the window and click Set, then click OK on all the windows and you will need to restart your computer most likely.

Answer 10

256 ram is not enough for what your running. at least another stick of 256 ram will help if you want to increase the speed of the pc to run what you want.