The LITTLE-BROWN-JUG Forum

Please explain virtual memory to me. Both my desktop and my laptop are sending me messages that the virtual memory is to low. I need to correct this so the computers don't run so slow.

The only place you can do anything on a computer is in RAM (Random Access Memory, also known as Virtual Memory). This is electronic and disappears when computer shut down. All else including the internet and your hard drive you just write to or read from.

It is important to keep what is in RAM to a minimum. Some this can be controlled in the MSCONFIG/startup area by unchecking the items you do not wish to load at startup.

It is also important to do weekly maintenance as follows:

In order to keep you computer running properly: Once a week:
Right click on Recycle Bin, Left click on Empty Recycle Bin.
Go to Control Panel, Internet Options and delete temp files and cookies.
In Control Panel go to Administrative Tools, Computer Management, Disk Defragmenter, Defragment each drive. (This may take some time)

It may also be a good idea to install more RAM.

I do regular maintenance on the computer. Some is daily, some every few days and some once a week. Will have to see what is turning on at start up, because it took a good 15 minutes to completely turn on this morning. How do I know what is absolutely necessary to turn on on start up?

Also have a problem another problem at start up. When you press the large silver button on the tower, it will start up for a few seconds, then stop. This happened several times since last weekend.

This equipment is not at all new and makes me wonder if I need to replace it.

go to start, run and type in MSCONFIG and hit enter

got to STARTUP tab

unchecking does not delete anything merely tells it not to load at startup. It only reads this file at startup.

uncheck a couple of items and restart computer. If everything works fine try a couple more.

If you get error message on restart recheck and restart.

hope this helps

Yes, it does. Is this how RAM memory is increased or is there another way?

you never have too much ram.

Ok, but is what you told me the only way to increase RAM?