-=PCTechTalk=- Re: Improving performance when low on memory

Hi Disastar,

Here are my numbers

13320 MB available on C drive

recommended is 3838 mb

2558 is currently allocated

2 mb minimum

10.4 GB free on hard drive



Have not defragged in awhile and yes I am sure that I am due for that.



Memory upgrade, I keep saying I am going to buy another set of 512 mb sticks 
and will soon which will max out this old Dell.  Soon to buy a new computer 
I hope.  However, I must say this old Dell is over five years old now and so 
far only one real problem, a drive not working for the last year which I 
probably could have fixed somehow.



I have increased that in the past but not in quite a while.  Should I  now?




> 1) If you have enough hard drive space, then increase the amount of 
> virtual
> memory and make min and max size the same.  When Windows either expands or
> shrinks the file it pretty much freezes everything else for a second or 
> two
> which would kill your performance when video editing.
> 1A) Right-click on "My Computer" (from either desktop or start menu) and
> choose Properties.
> 1B) Click the Advanced Tab, then Settings (under Performance), then 
> Advanced
> tab, then Change (under Virtual Memory).
> 1C) I usually double the Max size and use that same value for the Min 
> size.
> If the programs you use are big memory hogs, then it couldn't hurt to go
> higher if you have enough disk space.
> 1D) Click OK on all those windows you used to get there.
>
> 2) Defrag often.  There was a thread here recently that talked about the
> best free defrag programs.  When low on memory a defrag makes a bigger
> difference than on a PC with plenty of memory IMO.  Many defrag programs
> work better than the one that comes with Windows.  You are much better off
> with one that orders the files for better performance.  I think Windows
> defrag only defrags files without ordering them.  Also, turn off any 
> feature
> the defrag program has to run in background.  It will take up more memory
> than you can afford if you are already low on memory.
>
> 3) Stop as many services and background programs as possible.  Autoruns is
> the perfect program to use to find out whats running and the ability to 
> stop
> them from running every time Windows starts.  Hmm, several programs (like
> MS-Office and some Adobe programs) have a program that runs in memory to
> help their main program load faster when you run them.  These are usually
> safe to stop because they are only a waste of memory until you start the
> program they are designed to speed up.  What you can and can't get rid of 
> is
> beyond the scope of these message.  I usually lookup the programs in a
> google search to find out if it's safe to stop.  If you give us a list of
> autorun programs here, I'm sure some of us can give you advice.
>
> All these things can help all PC's (especially the first 2), but are way
> more important if you are low on memory.  Can you also upgrade your 
> memory?
> Most memory is pretty cheap these days.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pctechtalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:pctechtalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of cristy
> Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2008 7:58 PM
> To: pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: what is autoruns.exe?
>
> Hi Gman,
>
> I did try out your link to download secunia.  If you do not think the file
> is a problem, I guess I can just leave it alone.  I am fighting with my
> monster movie editing program tonight trying to do some movie editing with
> my little measley memory being smashed by the monster program ;0, get 
> stuck,
>
> reboot, let the computer rest up, lol...
>
>
> thanks,
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> Please remember to trim your replies (including this sentence and 
> everything below it) and adjust the subject line as necessary.
>
> To unsubscribe or change your email settings:
> http://www.freelists.org/webpage/pctechtalk
>
> To access our Archives:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCTechTalk/messages/
> http://www.freelists.org/archives/pctechtalk/
>
> To contact only the PCTT Mod Squad, write to:
> pctechtalk-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> To join the PCTableTalk off-topic group, send a blank email to:
> pctabletalk+subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> 


---------------------------------------------------------------
Please remember to trim your replies (including this sentence and everything 
below it) and adjust the subject line as necessary.

To unsubscribe or change your email settings:
http://www.freelists.org/webpage/pctechtalk

To access our Archives:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCTechTalk/messages/
http://www.freelists.org/archives/pctechtalk/

To contact only the PCTT Mod Squad, write to:
pctechtalk-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

To join the PCTableTalk off-topic group, send a blank email to:
pctabletalk+subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
---------------------------------------------------------------

Other related posts: