Virtual memory

[davegs]

My dell (1996 vintage) started messing about in the last couple of days whilst running Google chrome. Been on this a long time with no probs why this is happening I can't figure out, (not supprising from a computer dumbo). Internet explorer fine, my partners newish HP works fine just this thing!.
last night a message appeared saying "windows had seen I was short of "Virtual memory", where this has sudenly gone I don't know can I install extra memory, or can I delete something to take up the slack?. Nothings been added so I am at a loss. Sems to have started when this unwanted tool bar took up residence which inspite of all the advice is still there!. Any assistance gratefully recieved.

 

[bwprice100]

Virtual memory is when the hard drive is being used to emulate RAM and from time to time Windows will decide more is needed and as long as you have plenty of free space on the hard drive you shouldn't have problem.

Funny though I had the same thing happen to me two days ago and after a reboot everything was ok.

Brian

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

My dell (1996 vintage)....

Slightly off topic, but can I suggest if the Antiques Road Show ever come to Bromley, take your PC along to them

 

[wessie]

My dell (1996 vintage) started messing about in the last couple of days whilst running Google chrome. Been on this a long time with no probs why this is happening I can't figure out, (not supprising from a computer dumbo). Internet explorer fine, my partners newish HP works fine just this thing!.
last night a message appeared saying "windows had seen I was short of "Virtual memory", where this has sudenly gone I don't know can I install extra memory, or can I delete something to take up the slack?. Nothings been added so I am at a loss. Sems to have started when this unwanted tool bar took up residence which inspite of all the advice is still there!. Any assistance gratefully recieved.

I suggest you seek a solution that involves your local recycling centre. Unless you have upgraded the system over the years I can't see a 1996 machine coping with current web browsers which are resource hungry if you have them in standard trim with a myriad of plug-ins running in the background.

Virtual memory needs space on the hard disk - if the hard disk is full or the contents fragmented then virtual memory will be in short supply. On my desktop machine, a 2005 vintage MESH, I have virtual memory in a separate partition on the hard drive. This gives Win XP a dedicated xGB to use as faux RAM. This PC is beginning to get overwhelmed now, on the rare occasions it is used, as it struggles to keep all of the virtual balls in the air.

 

[davegs]

Dates

This bloody thin g is driving me mad!! The computer is 2006 not 1996! so is there hope? for it not me!

 

[wessie]

This bloody thin g is driving me mad!! The computer is 2006 not 1996! so is there hope? for it not me!

Clear up some space on the hard disk. Delete any programs you no longer use. Get rid of bloaty anti-virus (Norton, MacAfee, AVG & Avast for example) and install something like the free version of Panda which is light on demand for hardware resources. Clear junk by running CCleaner . Defragment the hard drive once it has been cleaned up. Make sure your operating system has all of the updates. I've done this on my c2005 desktop and it runs okay with the occasional crash. I wouldn't trust if for anything beyond a bit of web browsing or journey planning on those times when a bigger screen is useful.

 

[ianf]

Too much stuff running on it. Close down program's you aren't using and uninstall all the 'helper' type program's you never use.

 

[davegs]

memory

Thanks for all the advice chaps, have put it on the disc cleaning program which took ages but things seem to have improved a bit. had a look in PC world this afternoon some of the monitors are very impressive (like their care provision £7.00 a month! and HP 28%!!!.). All now of course running on windows 8, a complete mystery to me how does it come across? good? better than the much crititisisd Vista. Anyway for now I'll keep loading the coal in to the old Dell and see how we go as long as I can still watch a certain Mr R. Nesbit on U tube I'll
be happy !.

 

[davegs]

Fanks for the memory

Well, have cleared out a lot of stuff from the hard drive and it seems to have got better, so looks like I wont be getting a new one just yet!. Many thanks for the advice.

 

[Fanum]

Sems to have started when this unwanted tool bar took up residence which inspite of all the advice is still there!.

Therein lies the probable biggest cause of the problem.

 

[davegs]

Mamory

Just having a go on my partners two month old HP on windows 7 (dunno why it aint on eight) but what a difference!!!!! still don't help spelling! but it is so much quicker!!. we are on the same connection just shows how age tells on the IT scene. Going to have to invest! like comparing a 1200 with the great 1150!!!
an I got both. Once again many thanks for the advice.

 

[wessie]

Just having a go on my partners two month old HP on windows 7 (dunno why it aint on eight) but what a difference!!!!! still don't help spelling! but it is so much quicker!!. we are on the same connection just shows how age tells on the IT scene. Going to have to invest! like comparing a 1200 with the great 1150!!!
an I got both. Once again many thanks for the advice.

I thought Win 8 was horrible to use unless you got rid of all that APP stuff designed for touch screen devices.

Buy something with Win7 and it will be fairly familiar to you.

After using that ancient contraption you will probably find a aub £250 laptop with a 15.6" screen quite a revelation. e.g. something like the Asus one here for £239 http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/st/windows-everyday

 

[davegs]

Is all well?

been tying to get rid of that bloody conduit tool bar, sent a message to google and got on to a page of complaints by others crying why can't we get rid of this.. Just switched on and got a box at the bottom of the screen saying this tool bar had crashed!!!!!!! and how to re-instate same and all seems to have returned to normal as suggested by Fanum which had been my own thoughts as
it only started when this appeared. So, for now keep it well stoked with coal
and hope for the best!!.