My computer tells me I am running out of memory - how can I find out how to get more?

Question

The computer loser here again - anyway I am told (and it is running so slowly I know something is up) that I am running out of memory - how do I address this latest issue with my computer?

Answer 1

You have two options.



If your computer is low on memory it is almost always the RAM which are chips that control all the memory to run programs being used so you can speak to a place that does upgrades and get them to recommend an amount of memory to upgrade and they can do it for you, its very simple to add but depending on the other electronics in the computer will make it difficult to recommend which type of chip to get.



The other option is to get a new computer if you can afford it, if your computer is low on memory then its not up to scratch with most recent ones. Even the most basic and cheapest of computers now are capable of running most things without beign low on memory and run a lot faster too.

Answer 2

Go to the website crucial.com. They sell all types of memory, and have a great way of determining what your system has, and how much can be added to it. If you are using Windows Vista, it determines what you need automatically. If you use Windows XP, you will need to download a little program to assist in the process. Then it will tell you exactly what you have, exactly what you need, and even let you order directly from them. Or if you like, take the information and look around for a better deal. Usually there are better deals, but be sure to calculate postage, taxes, and hassle factors. Crucial.com did right by me, and I wish for you the same. Also, I just realized something. Maybe it is telling you that you are running out of memory on your hard drive. Other than getting a larger one, or a second one, try cleaning it up a bit. Right click on your C drive and perform a disc clean up. This will empty your recycle bin and delete all of the temporary files. Also check for large multimedia files. Video is a big hog, music not as much although substantial. Otherwise, I recommend dumping rarely used files onto a CDR or DVDR. Hope this helped.

Answer 3

First check your computer and find out what are the softwares that you need to keep on the computer, like your anti-virus software, printer software, windows software and etc and list them out. Then find out what are the softwares and stuff that you do not need on the computer itself such as all your music files, your video files, pictures etc.

Then go and buy an external hard drive, say a 120 GB one which will cost you below $100 and then cut and paste all the files that you do not need on your PC. This way, you can free up your computer's memory and can still have all you files. You should always keep at least 1.5 to 2 GB free on your main drive, usually the C:\ drive.

OR if you have 2 drives, say C:\ and D:\ and your space on C:\ is getting low, then you can transfer all your stuff onto the D:\ drive but then you will have to change the directory for the softwares or the computer will still search for them in the C:\ drive.

Hope this helped.

Answer 4

Try here to see what ram you have

http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/



Then ctrl alt delete. This will bring up windows process manager. Click on the processes tab. This will show what each process is using.

If you are running a lot of programmes that are using your memory up there is the problem.



There are other settings in XP which can help but basically if your ram isn't big enough to run stuff this will always slow the system down.



If by memory you mean hard drive space.

As others have said get a USB hard drive.

They're not too expensive. Then just click and paste stuff like movies and other big files to it.

that will free up hard drive for the system.



Perhaps if you could add what size system you have that would help (hard drive, RAM, operating system, processor type and size.)

Answer 5

hmmm memory and storage are two completely different things, so defragging wont do much for u in the case of memory errors,,, u can run a program like CPU-Z to find ur mem type and speed (since im pretty sure u dont want to open the case) from there u can travel to ur local computer supply vendor and purchase ur type of memory =), usually 1 - 2Gb is sufficient unless ur like making video games on ur system...now what u do with ur mem is different,, u can disable many programs that start at boot and allocate a predetermined amount of memory that slow down the system, use sysinternals autoruns.exe to do that easily, and also until u have the memory to support the programs u run u shouldnt run as many at the same time, clear ur temps and then defrag ur drives u should be good then

Answer 6

normally if its running slow its just because you are using up to much ram by running to many programs at once. Best way to sort this is to delete anything on your start up on your computer. Been a while since i've done it but i think if you the windows menu then run and type msconfig it will bring and option up which helps you remove stuff from your start up be careful what your remove though.



Another way is to go in to your register (regedit) and go to microsoft/windows/current version/run and remove a few things (be very careful here though)



If you want to buy more ram you'll need to take your computer apart and find out what type of ram you have.



If its just hard drive memory you need a usb hard drive can be bought which will mean you don't need to take your computer apart.



You could always just restore your computer to factory settings with a backup disc and start from scracth. If you don't have a disc you can normally download them from your computer companies website.

Answer 7

Muddy Pie....apart from suggesting to you to install another internalHD (they are much cheaper than external ones)as a "slave" try the following in order to obtain more disk space:

Go to My Computer.... and Control Panel......click Internet Options....you will see two buttons....one says Delete Files....the other says Delete Cookies. Click each one in turn to delete all that "trash" you may have accumulated on your HD. Also check your Recycle Bin and empty it...you would probably find lots in there as well. Reboot...and then you may well be surprised by the "new" added space on your HD

Answer 8

Its a common problem, get your computer some gp attention before it develops into pc alzhiemers.



My computer warned me of low memory, but i ignored the warnings, the amnesia set in and my computer no longer recognises me anymore.



Its so upsetting, i remember the days we used to have together, when my computer had its memory.



please, please do not ignore the warnings.



Should the inevitable happen I know where they are doing half price deals on pc funerals.

Answer 9

rum a progran like tune up utilities -free download the trial version and run-this will tell you how much memory you had and how much you have left . go through the various steps and it will help you get rid off stuff you dont need

Answer 10

Have you done a defragmentation. You could alway get another internal or external hard drive. the other thing to do is, delete any

programs you do not need or use.



Good luck

Answer 11

Maybe if you try doing a disc clean up that usually helps...othr than that you would need to sort out your files and get rid of programmes you dont really use...disc clean up is in start..accessories.....system tools...disc clean up

Good Luck

Answer 12

follow the stairs to extend the quantity of digital reminiscence allotted on the complicated disk. this might artwork on condition which you have a extra partition on your complicated disk, and has adequate empty area on it. hit upon the my desktops icon, and proper click on it. opt for homes. gadget propertied window opens. opt for progressed panel(Tab) click on settings button, decrease than the overall performance area. overall performance suggestions window opens. lower back opt for progressed Tab/panel in it. click on substitute button, interior the digital reminiscence area. digital reminiscence window opens. There you will see all your partitions and the paging record length allotted to it. opt for the different tension letter from it. (we are assuming that there is no empty area, or much less empty area on your C tension) opt for the custom length radio button. interior the preliminary length in MB. wiite a variety double than that of definitely ram reminiscence on your laptop. interior the optimum length , write a variety double than that of the preliminary length. Press ok, Press ok Press okay to return out of the residing house windows. this ought to provide adequate digital reminiscence on your laptop. in case you do not have yet another partition,or extra complicated disk, then reproduction a number of the documents out of your laptop to a cd/dvd and delete them out of your complicated disk with the intention to make some area. remember that digital reminiscence isn't something however the empty area on your complicated disk temperorily utilized via the laptop. So shop adequate empty area on your complicated disk on your laptop to function appropriate.

Answer 13

-defragment your hardrive

-scan for viruses

- disk clean up- go on my computer and right click on the C: drive and then go on the properties and go on disk cleanup

- run ccleaner- www.ccleaner.com

-run reg cure (registry)

Answer 14

is it memory as in RAM??? if so go to http://crucial.com/ and use the scanner tool