Computer overload?
Discussion
Whilst using my PC at home, if I try to open another program or window whilst on here, for example, I keep getting the following message, preventing me opening something else:
[b]:o There is not enough free memory to run this program. Quit one or more programs, and then try again.[/b]
I've de-fragged and checked memory space in Drive C (which has more available space than not) and everything seems ok.
Whats the deal here? :scratchchin:
[b]:o There is not enough free memory to run this program. Quit one or more programs, and then try again.[/b]
I've de-fragged and checked memory space in Drive C (which has more available space than not) and everything seems ok.
Whats the deal here? :scratchchin:
Page file is like virtual memory. The kernel (OS) uses space on your hard drive (usually C) as though it were RAM.
The value, or how much the system can use, can be altered in the control panel.
It's under > system > Advanced > Settings > Advanced
Then, It should be at the bottom. Click on change...
It should then tell you the Minimum, Recommended and currently allocated values. If you have enough space available on your hard disk (couple of gig should be fine) increase the current allocated value to the recommended by selecting custom size and entering the new value.
That is if it is not a RAM problem.
>> Edited by wizzpig on Wednesday 27th July 23:04
The value, or how much the system can use, can be altered in the control panel.
It's under > system > Advanced > Settings > Advanced
Then, It should be at the bottom. Click on change...
It should then tell you the Minimum, Recommended and currently allocated values. If you have enough space available on your hard disk (couple of gig should be fine) increase the current allocated value to the recommended by selecting custom size and entering the new value.
That is if it is not a RAM problem.
>> Edited by wizzpig on Wednesday 27th July 23:04
Wizz - I'll try your method in a moment.
Chim knee - I think its 1Gb, its AMD.
Excuse me if I can't reply again tonight, the computer is failing intermitently.
Ironic today really, its a
TINY junk tower. Its old and in need of replacement anyway, but if it can keep me going for another month or two, I'll be a happier person.
Cheers for all help so far, keep it coming in!
>> Edited by lazyitus on Wednesday 27th July 22:43
Chim knee - I think its 1Gb, its AMD.
Excuse me if I can't reply again tonight, the computer is failing intermitently.
Ironic today really, its a
TINY junk tower. Its old and in need of replacement anyway, but if it can keep me going for another month or two, I'll be a happier person. Cheers for all help so far, keep it coming in!
>> Edited by lazyitus on Wednesday 27th July 22:43
RIGHT, its 256 not 1Gb.
After digging around, I have come up with this message saying I'm down to my last 5% or something like that. This information appeared too......
System resources are low. Some programs may not run.
Windows Millennium Edition has a limited number of system resources available. When you have many programs open, or you open a program that uses many system resources, Windows Millennium Edition might run more slowly and some programs might not run properly.
Quit some programs to free up system resources, or restart your computer.
Seeing that I'm only running 1 prog. at a time, is this a simple case of my computer having too much stuff on it, which is causing this problem?
If so, is it a simple case of deleting a load of crap that I can do without?
After digging around, I have come up with this message saying I'm down to my last 5% or something like that. This information appeared too......
System resources are low. Some programs may not run.
Windows Millennium Edition has a limited number of system resources available. When you have many programs open, or you open a program that uses many system resources, Windows Millennium Edition might run more slowly and some programs might not run properly.
Quit some programs to free up system resources, or restart your computer.
Seeing that I'm only running 1 prog. at a time, is this a simple case of my computer having too much stuff on it, which is causing this problem?
If so, is it a simple case of deleting a load of crap that I can do without?
lazyitus said:
RIGHT, its 256 not 1Gb.
OK, the MINIMUM for Windows ME is 32Mb so you are WAY over that.
The low on system memory message is not to do with the HDD space in instances like this in my opinion.
Do you have a virus checker (Norton etc), a software Firewall or anything that you don't LOAD as such (i.e. click an icon) just something that it always working?
I think that'll be the most likely culprit IM(limited)E.
wizzpig said:
Also I find vodka helps in these situations
For you, not the PC!!
>> Edited by chim_knee on Wednesday 27th July 23:16
256MB of RAM is quite low. Have a look on Windows Task Manager (Right click on the task bar for this) and have a look at Performance.
If your PF value is high this could mean that all your RAM is being gobbled up by programs or system resources.
Also on the 'Physical Memory' section it will give you a total, available and System cache value. What are they?
And binning stuff that you don't use or rarely use is always a good idea.
If your PF value is high this could mean that all your RAM is being gobbled up by programs or system resources.
Also on the 'Physical Memory' section it will give you a total, available and System cache value. What are they?
And binning stuff that you don't use or rarely use is always a good idea.
WinME is a lot worse at handling system resources than, say, Win2k or WinXP. The problem is that there are a couple of very small amounts of memory (64kb) allocated between ALL processes on the PC and these run out very quickly. "Better" o/s like XP and 2k have a separate pool of resources for each process (i.e. 64kb each rather than total), so you have to be going some to hit a problem.
See here for a better explanation.
See here for a better explanation.
You would be astonished at the amount of crap that starts up at boot time on most PCs.
Even if you are only running one program, there are probably 10 more sitting in the background consuming resources.
Try going to "Start->Run" and type in msconfig, then hit enter. IN this application you can see what is in your startup.ini file, that is, what is starting when you turn on your PC. It's very likely you can turn half of it off.
Also, right click on the "Start" button, and select explore. Go to programs, Startup and you will see a list of programs starting when windows does. Again you can likely remove most of these.
Even if you are only running one program, there are probably 10 more sitting in the background consuming resources.
Try going to "Start->Run" and type in msconfig, then hit enter. IN this application you can see what is in your startup.ini file, that is, what is starting when you turn on your PC. It's very likely you can turn half of it off.
Also, right click on the "Start" button, and select explore. Go to programs, Startup and you will see a list of programs starting when windows does. Again you can likely remove most of these.
WinME really is a pile of crap, to be honest. You'd be better off upgrading to Win2k (the last Windows that didn't have the crappy activation stuff, and hence the last version that can be freely traded on places like eBay)
As an aside, it might be worth looking at the memory footprint of your machine using something like SysInternals' Process Explorer tool.
I have an old laptop with 96Mb of RAM that had a footprint of about 120Mb which would account for why it was running like a dog. Turned out that 40Mb of that was down to Norton Anti-virus! I removed it and the machine is running much faster now.
Remember, virtual memory (the area of your hard disc that Windows uses to emulate physical memory (ie. RAM) ) is something like 100x (or is it 1000x?) slower than physical memory
As an aside, it might be worth looking at the memory footprint of your machine using something like SysInternals' Process Explorer tool.
I have an old laptop with 96Mb of RAM that had a footprint of about 120Mb which would account for why it was running like a dog. Turned out that 40Mb of that was down to Norton Anti-virus! I removed it and the machine is running much faster now.
Remember, virtual memory (the area of your hard disc that Windows uses to emulate physical memory (ie. RAM) ) is something like 100x (or is it 1000x?) slower than physical memory
Hi, Lazy.... at 256Mb of RAM you are actually at Microsofts recommended bare minimum. Turning off unnessesary items in "msconfig" can certainly help and along with that I'd like to recommend this freeware from Tweak now:
http://tweaknow.com/ramidleLE.html
Windows 2000/XP are suposed to be good at keeping an eye on RAM usage but I have found it's abilities to be wanting, so I use the above RAM Idle and with it I can free up RAM manually anytime I need to.
http://tweaknow.com/ramidleLE.html
Windows 2000/XP are suposed to be good at keeping an eye on RAM usage but I have found it's abilities to be wanting, so I use the above RAM Idle and with it I can free up RAM manually anytime I need to.
Just on a whim, I'd download and run ad-aware from www.lavasoftusa.com (dead easy)
Also, check how much free space you've got on the c: drive (my computer, right click on c:, properties). You need a few hundred meg for windows to be happy.
Neil
Also, check how much free space you've got on the c: drive (my computer, right click on c:, properties). You need a few hundred meg for windows to be happy.
Neil
_dobbo_ said:
You would be astonished at the amount of crap that starts up at boot time on most PCs.
Even if you are only running one program, there are probably 10 more sitting in the background consuming resources.
Try going to "Start->Run" and type in msconfig, then hit enter. IN this application you can see what is in your startup.ini file, that is, what is starting when you turn on your PC. It's very likely you can turn half of it off.
Easiest option so far, and it seems to have worked. :fingerscrossed:
Thanks to everyone who has replied. If this ultimately hasn't worked, theres some good additional options.
Cheers PH crew.
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff