how do i free up physical memory on my computer?

Question

my computer tells me i have 960MG of memory but 413MG are being used this is making my computer kinda slow
i do have alot of songs but i have deleted them and other nonused applications and this does not change
also i have a whole lot of memory in the c drive but i dont think it ever gets used can u help

Answer 1

start > run > type msconfig > go to the startup tab > remove anything that doesn't need to be running. Most everything other than your antivirus program can safely be removed. Or if you have a special mouse/keyboard that has software. All other apps can be launched by the icon. Also try deleting temporary internet files by opening IE > clicking on tools > internet options > and hitting delete files on ie6 or earlier or delete on ie7. Might also want to run an antispyware program. I suggest hitmanpro because it runs all the programs people on here suggest with advanced options. You can download hitmanpro at www.hitmanpro.nl Hope that helps.

Answer 2

When you boot up your computer, there are many processes that are running in the background unknown to users. Many of these background processes use small amounts of memory to do their work so when you add it all up, it can use up a good chunk lke you said. Realize though, that these same processes also use virtual memory to do their work so it doesn't use up all your physical memory space. Virtual memory is actually using your hard drive as memory. This is all normal.

There are a couple of things you can do to increase memory (and hence increase speed):

1) add more memory. Today, 960MB is not a lot ... maybe another 1GB for you would be plenty.

2) disable some of your startup applications. Each time new software is installed these days, it is almost guaranteed that it has a process started every time you boot up the computer. Many of these are not necessary. You can disable a bunch by doing the following:

a) Click start -> click Run
b) Type msconfig and hit
c) Click on startup tab
d) In the window, uncheck any programs that are not necessary to run at start up. This'll use up less memory and speed up your computer.
e) Click Apply and Close
f) Restart the computer.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

How about video or pictures , do you have a lot of this in your files? If so, try transferring them to a backup disk and delete them. if your problem still persist, you need an additional memory, How about your memory card, is it working well?

If all the above has been satisfied and you are still having same problem., then consult your CPU technician.

Answer 4

Right click on the task bar (the bar where the Start button is) and click task manager. You should see the program(s) using all your RAM. If you dont need them, close them down. If you do, buy more memory.

Answer 5

Change fan and maybe you have a low memory installed and slower processor that why it uses more RAM to run programs. upgrade you RAM or maybe also the processor and board.

Answer 6

there is a difference between disk space and physical memory you seem to have 1 gig of memory, windows is using the 413meg of it.

now how you cut down on the memory usage is to stop all the programs from starting up that you don't want to start up on boot up....

so you need to look at what programs is booting up, when you start up your system, you could cut down on all the programs that start up.... that don't need to start up...

one of the main problems is anti virus programs.. they make your system slow.

Answer 7

see deleting the data doesnt increase the free memory so insinstall the useless softwares.

Answer 8

Speed up computer:

1) Disable programs that can be disabled to improve computer performance using msconfig.
First: Uninstall any programs listed in "step 1"
http://www.techsupportforum.com/security-center/hijackthis-log-help/15968-updated-important-read-before-posting-log.html

Install MSconfig Update for Windows XP (KB906569)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9689F6E9-ADED-44B8-BBBB-BEAE1B4A4BC9&displaylang=en

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/

The PC Decrapifier
http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/

Startup Delayer v2.3.125
http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay&PHPSESSID=51519f

Can you learn another language in the time it takes for your machine to boot? Do you turn on your PC when you go to bed, so it's finished booting by the time you get home from work the next day?

When Windows loads it's Startup file, it attempts to load every program in there at the same time. Therefore if you have quite a lot of programs starting when Windows starts, each program will try and grab CPU time so that it can load

Startup Delayer allows you to specify which programs to start first and which ones to delay. You can set a custom delay for each one, even drag the visual display graph which shows you exactly how your programs are starting and allows you to easily modify the order or adjust delay times. (1 second to 100 minutes)

2) Eliminate malware on your computer
------------------------------...
Update your antivirus and run a full scan

If you do not have virus protection install:
AVG Antivirus 7.5 Free Edition
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/avg-anti-virus-free/lng/us/tpl/v5
http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10669237.html?tag=lst-0-1
or
Free antivirus - avast! 4 Home Edition
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
------------------------------...
Install Windows Defender (full time spyware protection)
Perform a full scan.
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
------------------------------...
Install the following five programs and run weekly or at least monthly. You need all five. They are not a substitute for full time spyware and virus protection.

Ad-Aware SE Personal (update + full scan)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php

Spybot Search & Destroy (update + immunize + scan)
Do not enable Tea Timer and SDHelper
After installation: update + scan + immunize
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html

SpywareBlaster: Update then open and click “enable all protection”.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

SUPERAntiSpyware free version: (update + scan)
http://www.superantispyware.com/

CCleaner: Do not install toolbar option
Removes tracking cookies, unneeded files, history
In options.
Set to run when computer starts.
Place cookies you want to keep in save list
http://www.ccleaner.com/
------------------------------...
Additional run this time and as needed.

Microsoft OneCare Live, run “full service scan”
Updates windows, virus and spyware scan, disk cleanup, disk fragmentation (if needed), backs up registry and then cleans registry, and checks for open firewall ports
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Malicious Software Removal Tool (run “full scan”)
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
-----------------------------
Online Free Scanners:
Run Trend Micro, Kaspersky, and Panda Scan now.
Run a different one each month.

Trend Micro: HouseCall Free Scan (removes what it finds)
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
BitDefender Online Scanner
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
Kaspersky Labs Online Scanner
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
McAfee
http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp?affid=294
Panda ActiveScan Free Online Scanner
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan?
Symantic Online Scanner
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/ssc_eula.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pkj=ALUFRHYTINMHDKDCWLL&vc_scanstate=2
------------------------------...

3) Run "check disk" check both options and restart.
Run Disk Cleanup then Disk Defragment.
4 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer's Performance
http://www.microsoft.com/atwork/getstarted/speed.mspx

4) Update your drivers
How to update a Windows hardware driver
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial119.html

To find drivers:
Google the manufacturer's name and go to the manufacturer's site for you computer/motherboard; video card; sound card; network card; printer; scanner; mouse; web cam; etc. Each site will have a support section to find the latest drivers and download them. You will need to know the make and model number. If you do not know the make and model number run Belarc Advisor and look in Windows Device Manager.

Belarc Advisor
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

5) Reduce resources needed for protection:
Replace Norton with NOD32, AVG, Avast, etc.
Use the Windows Firewall (very light on resources)

6) Add more ram

7) Faster video card

8) Faster Internet service

9) Faster computer / processor

10) Run "check disk" check both options and restart. (runs a long time) Run Disk Cleanup then Disk Defragment.
See: 4 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer's Performance
http://www.microsoft.com/atwork/getstarted/speed.mspx

11) Format drive and reinstall everything