New Sony Vaio says 85% physical memory used just by running windows?

Question

1 gig ram, dual 1 ghz cpu.

Brand new, got it last night at Best Buy. Runs Vista. They loaded it up with a bunch of programs, I removed a few.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

Virtual Memory in Windows XP
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.php

Recommended RAM
Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate 2GB
XP, Vista Home Basic 1GB
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Why is there so little Free RAM?

Windows will always try to find some use for all of RAM — even a trivial one. If nothing else it will retain code of programs in RAM after they exit, in case they are needed again. Anything left over will be used to cache further files — just in case they are needed. But these uses will be dropped instantly should some other use come along. Thus there should rarely be any significant amount of RAM ‘free’. That term is a misnomer — it ought to be ‘RAM for which Windows can currently find no possible use’. The adage is: ‘Free RAM is wasted RAM’. Programs that purport to ‘manage’ or ‘free up’ RAM are pandering to a delusion that only such ‘Free’ RAM is available for fresh uses. That is not true, and these programs often result in reduced performance and may result in run-away growth of the page file.

Low Virtual Memory
http://askbobrankin.com/low_virtual_memory.html

RAM Optimizers/Defragmenters
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/XPMyths.html

The Memory-Optimization Hoax
RAM optimizers make false promises
http://www.windowsitpro.com/Articles/ArticleID/41095/41095.html?Ad=1

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Run PCPitstop "full tests" and "running programs" in the results it will designate programs that can be disabled to improve computer performance. Run MSconfig and uncheck any program "that can be disabled to improve computer performance"
http://www.pcpitstop.com/

How to use MSCONFIG
http://www.netsquirrel.com/msconfig/

Using MSCONFIG to reduce background programs at startup
http://alri.org/step2/usingmsconfig.htm

TASK LIST PROGRAMS A-Z
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm
http://www.castlecops.com/StartupList.html
http://www.pcreview.co.uk/startup/

Sony VAIO VGN-TZ150N
A striking ultraportable that boasts a stunning display, mobile broadband, and good battery life. Just beware of crapware.
http://laptopmag.com/Review/Sony-VAIO-VGN-TZ150N.htm

Is Vista a dog?
http://www.computerworld.com/blogs/node/5310
By Robert L. Mitchell on Thu, 04/05/2007 - 8:42am

Is Vista a real dog? One might come to that conclusion after reading Wall Street Journal technology writer Walter Mossberg's experiences with a recently purchased a Sony Vaio SZ laptop. The laptop came with Vista preloaded.

His main complaint in the WSJ story (which requires an online subscription to access) is the time it takes to remove all of the trial offer "crapware" that comes preloaded onto the machine. But he also remarks twice on how slowly the machine starts up and reboots, "even if you haven't yet loaded or launched any of your own software."

Answer 2

That's about right for Vista. It is a resource hog. Go into the mscomfig utility and turn off some of the stuff that is loading with windows. That should help some. But with Vista 2 gigs is much better.

I own a Compaq LT, with 2 gigs of ram and right now it's idling at 530 megs. (Windows Vista Home Pre.)

In case you haven't found it, the Run command is now located in the Accessories folder.

To control what starts with Windows:

Click Start and then Run. (Vista - Start>All Programs>Accessories>Run). In the run box, type "msconfig" without the quotes and then hit "Enter". This will open the System Configuration Utility. Click the "Startup" tab. Now remove the check mark from any and all programs that you do not want to start or "boot" with Windows. Now click apply and then click OK.

You will need to restart your system. When the system starts you will see a box stating that you used the Config. utility, put a check in "Don't show this box at startup".

That should do it.

Do not remove any check marks from your security software. You want it to load with your operating system.

Answer 3

That's seems just about right for running Windows Vista. You can improve the system memory utilization by 1) lowering the memory throughput to your graphics using the bios and/or 2) adding one more GB of ram. I believe 2gb of ram will give you 28-42% memory utilization.

Good luck,

Answer 4

Vista uses a lot of Ram/Memory, take it back to Best buy and have them check it out ( its under warranty). Do not uninstall programs you have paid for unless you have CD to reinstall later. Go to task tray and right click then click on task manager, end all programs you are not working with and then check memory. Also change to 32 bit color and this may help.

Answer 5

hmmm. try this (i dont have vista so im basing this off of xp):

Control Panel > (Performance and maintaince comes first maybe, i dont know. if not, disregard this) > System > Click the 'Advanced' tab.

Under performance, click 'Settings.' click 'Adjust for best performance.' I am not sure about vista, but doing this will return the style to windows classic. to change it back to vista style, right click your backround, click preferences, click appearance, go to style, and choose the style you want.

another way to boost system performance is to:

Open Internet Explorer > Tools > Internet Options
There you will see an option to delet browsing history and temporary internet files. delete them - they take up ram.
it will also ask you to delete files stored by addons (maybe, not sure about vista), select yes or check the box.

also, you could try exiting some of the programs running in the back round