? about memory

[hudsonf]

I have 512 Mb of memory on my computer and notice sometimes my computer slows down after using it allot and I reboot and it's back to normal. Thinking it may be a memory leak from the programs I use i installed FreeRam XP Pro. With all the programs I have running in the back ground at first boot I only have about 45% free ram left. This drops as i open and close programs. I noticed when burning with Nero my memory dropped to the single digits. My question is would it pay me to buy more ram or should I try playing around with the page file. I would like to keep the programs that are running in the back ground running.

[stiltman]

I have 512 Mb .......With all the programs I have running in the back ground at first boot I only have about 45% free ram left. ....... I would like to keep the programs that are running in the back ground running.

Buy more RAM

[IAIHMB]

-Clean out your startup processes.
-Remove adware/spyware/malware and viruses.

If you don't see a noticable increase in performance I'd go with more RAM. Since it's back to school time everything is a little bit cheaper also.

[hudsonf]

Most of the programs I have running are for security. Programs like Norton Internet Security, Adware,spyware and trojan blockers and GoBack. I know Norton is a memory hog. I'll check into buying more ram. Anyone know of any sales local or online.

[gitreel]

Why are you using goback, when xp's system restore does the same thing?

[hudsonf]

I still use Goback because I have had many problems that system restore would not fix. Now that it's on my mind I'm over due backing up my hard drive. When I have problems I will try System Restore first, then I'll try Goback, if that fails I'll reload my hard drive from a backup.

[808smokey]

512mb is plenty for average computer use.

Turn off all the crap running in the background. (MSCONFIG)

Stop downloading porn and cracks for games and you won't get all the spyware

[hudsonf]

I can live without the cracks but I gotta have my porn

[888888]

512 MB should definitely be enough. I have 320 MB PC133 I never have any slowdown issues due to memory, but rather due to my slow processor. Clean out startup.

[rallynavvie]

Pagefile usage will slow you down if you are using the same hard drive it's assigned to. Are you sure it isn't other system resources getting tied up that's slowing you down? Keep an eye on your processor utilization through all this as well as what's accessing your hard drive. You should have plenty of memory for most anything you come across.

[joecav]

I would check this site out too if you plan on shutting off any unnecessary services...

LINK

He spells out the proper way to turn off services and seems to know his stuff.

[offline]

Sounds like you have too much memory - virtual memory that is.

Your virtual memory is stored as a so called page file, invisible
on your hard drive. When virtual memory is too big, any TSR software like security apps become fragmented in virtual memory and this
in turn causes fragmentation in physical memory over time.

This is why there is a gradual process of speed loss - virtual
fragmented memory is swapped to physical memory and vice versa
causing a cyclic degradation.

A partial solution can be found by reducing the size of your
virtual memory, running a file cleaner like CleanUP before
every shutdown and /or installing a utility to un fragment
system memory (like system mechanic)

[4smiley20]

I agree that 512M should be plenty of memory.

If offline is correct about the fragmented memory you could try out Memturbo. It will defrag your memory. I use it cause I use to run into similar problems and hated rebooting all the time cause I would have to kill everything i was doing. Just an idea for you.

[hudsonf]

Thanks for all the good advice. I turned off some services and programs that where starting that I didn't need. moved my pagefile to a less used drive and downsized it to 512 MBs. I'm going to run my computer a couple of days and see if it makes any difference.

[mujahid7ia]

I heard that Norton stuff has high memory usage and memory leaks... can't confirm myself though, but a great many ppl simply despise Norton Internet Security.

[Ripper2860]

If you are running Norton System Doctor (not WinDoctor), it will definitely suck up CPU and RAM resources.