[Tasha]

I keep getting messages that my memory is low. Why is this and what can I do about it??

[JimH443]

If it is saying memory is low, the best thing to do is to run fewer programs at the same time. However, if it's saying hard drive space is getting low (people often confuse the two), you'll need to erase things off the C: drive.

[coastie65]

Hi Tasha and welcome to the forum. It would be helpful if you told us something about your system such type of and Model # of your computer plus the specs. Also What are you trying to run when you get this message. Coastie65

[Tasha]

My computer is a HP Pavilion m703 running Windows XP. These messages are popping up towards the end of the evening around midnight. Not trying to run any programs in particular but do frequent POGO and play games each night. The messages do say Memory Low, nothing to do with hard drive, and says to click on help for more information but I don't know where to go to click on help. Thank you!

[coastie65]

Hi Tasha, When I ran that Model # all I got was a monitor with that #. I am assuming it is a desk top. How much ram (memory) do you have installed ? You can find this by clicking on start, My Computer, and on the left click on system information. coastie

[Tasha]

It says I have 448 MB of RAM.

[coastie65]

Hi Tasha, Ok, you actually have 512 Mb, but some is being used. Personally, I would have at least 1 Gb to be on the safe side. Anyway, The message said Low Memory and not Low Virtual memory. I suspect that over the course of an evening you accumulated some open apps which were all using some physical memory, and at 512 Mb, that can get used in a hurry. There are several ways to check what is running, Task Manger ( Ctrl Alt Del ) or you can hit Alt + Tab and that will shut down all running apps. I also would consider adding some ram as well. In my opinion, 512 Mb is at the very minmum when running XP, although you can run it with 256 Mb of ram and I have briefly. I couldn't find anything on your comptuer as all I got with the number you gave was a 17" CRT monitor. The computer model should be on the computer in back, but I know it will will take 1 Gb and most likely 2 Gb. coastie

[Tasha]

Thank you so much for your help! The number of the computer will be on the back of the hard drive?? How do I add more memory RAM??

[JimH443]

Once you get the model of the computer itself, Google it. You'll probably find a website that tells you what kind of RAM you need. You may even find a picture of YOUR motherboard with labels for what each of the slots is for. Once you get the type of RAM you need, it's just a matter of unplugging the computer, opening it up (sometimes a pain to do in itself :)) and inserting the RAM into the memory slots.

[coastie65]

Hi Tasha, The model # should be on a sticker on the back of the case, there will also be another sticker with your Microsoft COA on it, but that doesn't matter here. If you can find that and post it I will gladly tell you what you need. And no it is not hard to install. We'll go through that as soon as I get the #. coastie

[Tasha]

Once again, thanks so much for your help! If I get the message again I will copy it word for word and get back on here. Also I printed out your last reply abt checking out task mgr. which I have done before. Getting off this subject, how can I find out what is loading when I turn on the computer? It seems to take a long time. I have downloaded a photo site, Shutterfly Suite which I think is opening and I don't really need it too unless Im going to use it. Do I type msconfig and check it out there? Sorry for getting off the topic.

[Tasha]

Will get back to you tomorrow when I get my husband to pull out the hard drive and ck for the number on the back. Thanks again. Tasha

[coastie65]

Hi Tasha, No problem. To take it off start up, click start then all programs then start up, Right click and delete anything you don't want to start when you start the computer. Also, use the disk clean and defrag tools in that order. coastie

[coastie65]

Hey Tasha, Don't do that it isn't necessary and you won't get it from there anyway. Look on the back of the computer case........This is a desk top right? It should be on an HP sticker somewhere on the case, most likely in back where all the wires are. coastie

[Tasha]

I certainly am not computer literate (67 yrs.) disk clean and defrag in that order?? I don't understand this. I removed a couple from start.

[coastie65]

:D Ok no problem, Start, All programs, Accesories, System tools. You find then both there. coastie

[maxcarson]

tasha, coastie could not be more correct! memory upgrades bring older machines back to life. dependind on your memory, it's a cheap way to breath life into


a tired pc. my older pc compaq/hp sr1120nx windows xp sp3 dual-boot vista home prem sp1,came with 512mb, i upgraded to 2gb. ($50. on sale). my hp pavillion dv9320us laptop vista homeprem. sp1 was equipped with 2gb., i upped to 4gb. ($75). remember: if you have vacant slots for memory, if you have 512mb add 512 mb. if you have 2 slotsadd the same or buy 2, 1gb. they should match to get optimal preformance. also you should use disk cleaners on a regular basis. crap cleaner, disk cleaner, wise disk cleaner, or try advanced windows care, all free or donate programs ( www.filehippo.com) defrag every week as coastie suggested.

another little program to ID your cpu, memory, motherboard, etc. CPU-Z, www.cpuid.com . there are different versions for different os's and cpu's. I use ver.1.46 the others, 1.45, 1.44 apply to other cpu,s /motherbord-chipsets.

www.cpuid.com/cpuz

hope this will be of some help


max

[coastie65]

Hi Tasha, To clarify a few things. It is not not necessary to remove the hard drive as there is no information concerning the computer there. The sticker should be an HP sticker on the back of the case where all the wires are. It will have bar code, serial # and Model Number. DO NOT POST THE SERIAL #. All I'm interested in is the model number. As for the "Disk Clean" & "Defragmentation", That is what I call "House cleaning" and should be done on a fairly regular basis. this will help keep your computer running in an optimal manner. Don't let all this stuff overwhelm you as I know it may sound a bit daunting. I am going to try something in hopes that you will have a better idea. coastie
The sticker you are looking for would be similar to the white one below the upper fan and would have HP or Hewlett Packard on it with the Model # and a Bar Code. Again, DO NOT POST THE SERIAL #

[Tasha]

Hi again, I got that memory message again and copied it word for word:

WINDOWS - VIRTUAL MEMORY MINIMUM TOO LOW

Your system is low on virtual memory. Windows is increasing the size of your virtual memory paging files. During this process memory registration for some applications may be denied. For more information see help.

My husband pulled out the hard drive and there are a lot of numbers back there.

HP a000

HW BOM-101

SW BOM na30

Sys # D7222A

Once again thank you for helping me clear up this matter!

[JimH443]

Yeah, the HP a000 is the model number. Coastie will be able to use that.