Another dumb question

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

My laptop popped up a warning box that my virtual memory is low. Now MY virtual memory is always low, but what does it mean (in English) that my computer's virtual memory is low? Is it about to break ??? How do I fix it??? CAN it be fixed??? Why is the sky blue???

:(

Yes, I'm that stupid :lol:

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

It's been running a lot slower lately (even after I de-fragmented and stuff), and freezing up on me frequently. Nothing is showing on virus and adware scans. Could this virtual memory thing be causing that to happen?

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Just so you know, this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_memory

is gobblety-gook to me. :neutral:

[Gray]

Try a free registry cleaner.


http://www.ccleaner.com/

once loaded click on the Registry icon and then the scan for issues at the bottom.

[Gray]

XP or Vista?


In Vista....

Start

Control Panel

at the bottom left....Use tools to improve performance......

top left...adjust visual effects....

You can choose the third option.

I have the fourth "Custom" all unchecked except "smooth edge of screen fonts.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Try a free registry cleaner.


http://www.ccleaner.com/

once loaded click on the Registry icon and then the scan for issues at the bottom.
Thanks. I don't know what I just did, but we'll see if it works lol.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

xp or vista?



xp

[Gray]

This is the main tool I use to speed up my computer.

It requires knowing what you are doing, but if you mess up the Box at the start-up screen gives you the option to "undo changes" as long as you do not check the box in the corner.

Start

In the run box type...msconfig

Click the start-up tab.

Now you have a list of programs that start up with your computer. This is likely where most of your memory is going.

A great many of these are not needed. If you do not know you can simply research each on the web.

[Gray]

xp

From your control panel find the setting to lower the bells and whistles that XP uses to make windows look pretty.

[Gray]

Thanks. I don't know what I just did, but we'll see if it works lol.

Registry changes take effect upon reboot.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

From your control panel find the setting to lower the bells and whistles that XP uses to make windows look pretty.

:confused:

Appearance and themes?

[Gray]

In Vista (I do not know about XP) you can plug a Thumb drive into your usb (2.0 port is best) port and use it for additional virtual memory.

The option appears the first time you plug the thing in.

[Gray]

:confused:

Not certain I will google some and try to find out.

[Gray]

http://teamtutorials.com/windows-tutorials/disable-visual-effects-to-speed-up-windows-xp

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

http://teamtutorials.com/windows-tutorials/disable-visual-effects-to-speed-up-windows-xp

ok that was weird lol.

Thanks so much. I don't understand what I've done here but as long as it works...

[Gray]

ok that was weird lol.

Thanks so much. I don't understand what I've done here but as long as it works...

Your programs that begin at start up use memory, I suggest you find out what the are.

[ThrowCop]

Your programs that begin at start up use memory, I suggest you find out what the are.Yeah & most vendors have that section LOADED with garbage.

[Gray]

Yeah & most vendors have that section LOADED with garbage.

..and when you uninstall they leave behind a cludged up registry.

Thus the need for a registry cleaner.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Yeah & most vendors have that section LOADED with garbage.

Well, I'll get my daughter to help me figure out what's needed and what isn't.

Don't want to break the laptop :(

[ThrowCop]

Well, I'll get my daughter to help me figure out what's needed and what isn't.

Don't want to break the laptop :(The MSConfig that Gray mentioned allows you to turn things on & off but you can easily get it back to where it was.

You can google the programs in it to see what they are before you disable them. It does sound like there is a lot loading up and using your computer's memory.

[Gray]

http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php

[ThrowCop]

..and when you uninstall they leave behind a cludged up registry.

Thus the need for a registry cleaner.Yeah. I use an unistaller & I am always amazed at how much crap is left behind even after running the actual program's uninstaller.

[Gray]

Yeah. I use an unistaller & I am always amazed at how much crap is left behind even after running the actual program's uninstaller.

Oddly enough If you go to your "program files folder" the folder with the program is often still on your computer! WTH??

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Thanks for all your help :hug:

I still don't understand what happened, but hopefully this fixes it!

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

BTW, is that registry cleaner something I should run every week or so?

[Gray]

BTW, is that registry cleaner something I should run every week or so?

I do mine about once every month or two. It just depends on how many prams you install and uninstall and how fast you think your computer is running.