A Windows XP help forum. PCbanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » PCbanter forum » Microsoft Windows XP » Performance and Maintainance of XP
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Memory



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old March 2nd 10, 02:41 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain
tmb867
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 21
Default Memory

I changed it to No Paging File, is that ok.

"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Mon, 1 Mar 2010 13:16:01 -0800, tmb867
wrote:

i guess my question is can I add more? Or how do I figure out if I CAN add
more?



For the answer to that question, you have to check the specs for your
motherboard.

But, despite what Tom says below, I would not automatically assume you
need more. How much RAM you need for good performance is *not* a
one-size-fits-all situation. You get good performance if the amount of
RAM you have keeps you from using the page file significantly, and
that depends on what apps you run. Most people running a typical range
of business applications under XP find that somewhere around 512MB
works well, others need more. Almost anyone will see poor performance
with less than 256MB. Some people, particularly those doing things
like editing large photographic images, can see a performance boost by
adding even more than 512MB--sometimes much more.

If you are currently using the page file significantly, more memory
will decrease or eliminate that usage, and improve your performance.
If you are not using the page file significantly, more memory will do
nothing for you. Go to
http://billsway.com/notes%5Fpublic/winxp%5Ftweaks/ and download
WinXP-2K_Pagefile.zip and monitor your page file usage. That should
give you a good idea of whether more memory can help, and if so, how
much more.



"Tom Willett" wrote:

You just barely have enough RAM to use Windows, let alone any other
programs at the same time.

"tmb867" wrote in message
news :I have a Pent lll, Win XP SP3, Internet explorer 8, Avira Antivirus, 733
Mhz
: 256 mb of Ram and Virtual Memory is set for total paging file for all
drive
: is 428. The question is am I maxed out on memory or what can I check. I
just
: reformated this drive and it is 80 gig disc drive that is a quarter full
: since I just reformated. System is slow and trying to fix that.


.


--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
.

Ads
  #17  
Old March 2nd 10, 02:41 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain
tmb867
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 21
Default Memory

I changed it to No Paging File, is that ok.

"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Mon, 1 Mar 2010 13:16:01 -0800, tmb867
wrote:

i guess my question is can I add more? Or how do I figure out if I CAN add
more?



For the answer to that question, you have to check the specs for your
motherboard.

But, despite what Tom says below, I would not automatically assume you
need more. How much RAM you need for good performance is *not* a
one-size-fits-all situation. You get good performance if the amount of
RAM you have keeps you from using the page file significantly, and
that depends on what apps you run. Most people running a typical range
of business applications under XP find that somewhere around 512MB
works well, others need more. Almost anyone will see poor performance
with less than 256MB. Some people, particularly those doing things
like editing large photographic images, can see a performance boost by
adding even more than 512MB--sometimes much more.

If you are currently using the page file significantly, more memory
will decrease or eliminate that usage, and improve your performance.
If you are not using the page file significantly, more memory will do
nothing for you. Go to
http://billsway.com/notes%5Fpublic/winxp%5Ftweaks/ and download
WinXP-2K_Pagefile.zip and monitor your page file usage. That should
give you a good idea of whether more memory can help, and if so, how
much more.



"Tom Willett" wrote:

You just barely have enough RAM to use Windows, let alone any other
programs at the same time.

"tmb867" wrote in message
news :I have a Pent lll, Win XP SP3, Internet explorer 8, Avira Antivirus, 733
Mhz
: 256 mb of Ram and Virtual Memory is set for total paging file for all
drive
: is 428. The question is am I maxed out on memory or what can I check. I
just
: reformated this drive and it is 80 gig disc drive that is a quarter full
: since I just reformated. System is slow and trying to fix that.


.


--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
.

  #18  
Old March 2nd 10, 03:47 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain
Jim[_30_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 812
Default Memory

Well, I would not run without a paging file even if the system would let me.
Jim
"tmb867" wrote in message
news
I changed it to No Paging File, is that ok.

"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Mon, 1 Mar 2010 13:16:01 -0800, tmb867
wrote:

i guess my question is can I add more? Or how do I figure out if I CAN
add
more?



For the answer to that question, you have to check the specs for your
motherboard.

But, despite what Tom says below, I would not automatically assume you
need more. How much RAM you need for good performance is *not* a
one-size-fits-all situation. You get good performance if the amount of
RAM you have keeps you from using the page file significantly, and
that depends on what apps you run. Most people running a typical range
of business applications under XP find that somewhere around 512MB
works well, others need more. Almost anyone will see poor performance
with less than 256MB. Some people, particularly those doing things
like editing large photographic images, can see a performance boost by
adding even more than 512MB--sometimes much more.

If you are currently using the page file significantly, more memory
will decrease or eliminate that usage, and improve your performance.
If you are not using the page file significantly, more memory will do
nothing for you. Go to
http://billsway.com/notes%5Fpublic/winxp%5Ftweaks/ and download
WinXP-2K_Pagefile.zip and monitor your page file usage. That should
give you a good idea of whether more memory can help, and if so, how
much more.



"Tom Willett" wrote:

You just barely have enough RAM to use Windows, let alone any other
programs at the same time.

"tmb867" wrote in message
news :I have a Pent lll, Win XP SP3, Internet explorer 8, Avira Antivirus,
733
Mhz
: 256 mb of Ram and Virtual Memory is set for total paging file for
all
drive
: is 428. The question is am I maxed out on memory or what can I
check. I
just
: reformated this drive and it is 80 gig disc drive that is a quarter
full
: since I just reformated. System is slow and trying to fix that.


.


--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
.




  #19  
Old March 2nd 10, 03:47 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain
Jim[_30_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 812
Default Memory

Well, I would not run without a paging file even if the system would let me.
Jim
"tmb867" wrote in message
news
I changed it to No Paging File, is that ok.

"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Mon, 1 Mar 2010 13:16:01 -0800, tmb867
wrote:

i guess my question is can I add more? Or how do I figure out if I CAN
add
more?



For the answer to that question, you have to check the specs for your
motherboard.

But, despite what Tom says below, I would not automatically assume you
need more. How much RAM you need for good performance is *not* a
one-size-fits-all situation. You get good performance if the amount of
RAM you have keeps you from using the page file significantly, and
that depends on what apps you run. Most people running a typical range
of business applications under XP find that somewhere around 512MB
works well, others need more. Almost anyone will see poor performance
with less than 256MB. Some people, particularly those doing things
like editing large photographic images, can see a performance boost by
adding even more than 512MB--sometimes much more.

If you are currently using the page file significantly, more memory
will decrease or eliminate that usage, and improve your performance.
If you are not using the page file significantly, more memory will do
nothing for you. Go to
http://billsway.com/notes%5Fpublic/winxp%5Ftweaks/ and download
WinXP-2K_Pagefile.zip and monitor your page file usage. That should
give you a good idea of whether more memory can help, and if so, how
much more.



"Tom Willett" wrote:

You just barely have enough RAM to use Windows, let alone any other
programs at the same time.

"tmb867" wrote in message
news :I have a Pent lll, Win XP SP3, Internet explorer 8, Avira Antivirus,
733
Mhz
: 256 mb of Ram and Virtual Memory is set for total paging file for
all
drive
: is 428. The question is am I maxed out on memory or what can I
check. I
just
: reformated this drive and it is 80 gig disc drive that is a quarter
full
: since I just reformated. System is slow and trying to fix that.


.


--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
.




  #20  
Old March 2nd 10, 10:32 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain
Olórin[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 917
Default Memory

Why did you do that? Was it to indirectly address Ken's point about reducing
use of the page file?

Regardless, how have YOU found your system to be since you made this
change? If things have improved (which they completely won't have) then
stick with it; otherwise, change it back. Common sense, really.

I'd set it to System Managed Size, tbh, just to get things back up and
running while you tootle down to your local PC shop and ask if they have any
spare RAM modules that old. They've probably got some secondhand ones
kicking around that they'd let you have for 50p [other currencies are
available]. Another 256MB would probably make a world of difference for
minimal cost (though check how many slots your motherboard ahs, and how many
are already used).


"tmb867" wrote in message
news
I changed it to No Paging File, is that ok.

"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Mon, 1 Mar 2010 13:16:01 -0800, tmb867
wrote:

i guess my question is can I add more? Or how do I figure out if I CAN
add
more?



For the answer to that question, you have to check the specs for your
motherboard.

But, despite what Tom says below, I would not automatically assume you
need more. How much RAM you need for good performance is *not* a
one-size-fits-all situation. You get good performance if the amount of
RAM you have keeps you from using the page file significantly, and
that depends on what apps you run. Most people running a typical range
of business applications under XP find that somewhere around 512MB
works well, others need more. Almost anyone will see poor performance
with less than 256MB. Some people, particularly those doing things
like editing large photographic images, can see a performance boost by
adding even more than 512MB--sometimes much more.

If you are currently using the page file significantly, more memory
will decrease or eliminate that usage, and improve your performance.
If you are not using the page file significantly, more memory will do
nothing for you. Go to
http://billsway.com/notes%5Fpublic/winxp%5Ftweaks/ and download
WinXP-2K_Pagefile.zip and monitor your page file usage. That should
give you a good idea of whether more memory can help, and if so, how
much more.



"Tom Willett" wrote:

You just barely have enough RAM to use Windows, let alone any other
programs at the same time.

"tmb867" wrote in message
news :I have a Pent lll, Win XP SP3, Internet explorer 8, Avira Antivirus,
733
Mhz
: 256 mb of Ram and Virtual Memory is set for total paging file for
all
drive
: is 428. The question is am I maxed out on memory or what can I
check. I
just
: reformated this drive and it is 80 gig disc drive that is a quarter
full
: since I just reformated. System is slow and trying to fix that.


.


--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
.



  #21  
Old March 2nd 10, 10:32 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain
Olorin
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 323
Default Memory

Why did you do that? Was it to indirectly address Ken's point about reducing
use of the page file?

Regardless, how have YOU found your system to be since you made this
change? If things have improved (which they completely won't have) then
stick with it; otherwise, change it back. Common sense, really.

I'd set it to System Managed Size, tbh, just to get things back up and
running while you tootle down to your local PC shop and ask if they have any
spare RAM modules that old. They've probably got some secondhand ones
kicking around that they'd let you have for 50p [other currencies are
available]. Another 256MB would probably make a world of difference for
minimal cost (though check how many slots your motherboard ahs, and how many
are already used).


"tmb867" wrote in message
news
I changed it to No Paging File, is that ok.

"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Mon, 1 Mar 2010 13:16:01 -0800, tmb867
wrote:

i guess my question is can I add more? Or how do I figure out if I CAN
add
more?



For the answer to that question, you have to check the specs for your
motherboard.

But, despite what Tom says below, I would not automatically assume you
need more. How much RAM you need for good performance is *not* a
one-size-fits-all situation. You get good performance if the amount of
RAM you have keeps you from using the page file significantly, and
that depends on what apps you run. Most people running a typical range
of business applications under XP find that somewhere around 512MB
works well, others need more. Almost anyone will see poor performance
with less than 256MB. Some people, particularly those doing things
like editing large photographic images, can see a performance boost by
adding even more than 512MB--sometimes much more.

If you are currently using the page file significantly, more memory
will decrease or eliminate that usage, and improve your performance.
If you are not using the page file significantly, more memory will do
nothing for you. Go to
http://billsway.com/notes%5Fpublic/winxp%5Ftweaks/ and download
WinXP-2K_Pagefile.zip and monitor your page file usage. That should
give you a good idea of whether more memory can help, and if so, how
much more.



"Tom Willett" wrote:

You just barely have enough RAM to use Windows, let alone any other
programs at the same time.

"tmb867" wrote in message
news :I have a Pent lll, Win XP SP3, Internet explorer 8, Avira Antivirus,
733
Mhz
: 256 mb of Ram and Virtual Memory is set for total paging file for
all
drive
: is 428. The question is am I maxed out on memory or what can I
check. I
just
: reformated this drive and it is 80 gig disc drive that is a quarter
full
: since I just reformated. System is slow and trying to fix that.


.


--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
.



  #22  
Old March 2nd 10, 09:52 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain
Ken Blake, MVP
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 10,402
Default Memory

On Mon, 1 Mar 2010 17:41:02 -0800, tmb867
wrote:

I changed it to No Paging File, is that ok.



No, it's not OK. It's a very poor thing to do. It can never help you
and it will often hurt you.

The only way to reduce page file use in a way that can help is to add
more RAM. My point was that adding more RAM to reduce page file use is
only valuable if there is significant page file use.


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Mon, 1 Mar 2010 13:16:01 -0800, tmb867
wrote:

i guess my question is can I add more? Or how do I figure out if I CAN add
more?



For the answer to that question, you have to check the specs for your
motherboard.

But, despite what Tom says below, I would not automatically assume you
need more. How much RAM you need for good performance is *not* a
one-size-fits-all situation. You get good performance if the amount of
RAM you have keeps you from using the page file significantly, and
that depends on what apps you run. Most people running a typical range
of business applications under XP find that somewhere around 512MB
works well, others need more. Almost anyone will see poor performance
with less than 256MB. Some people, particularly those doing things
like editing large photographic images, can see a performance boost by
adding even more than 512MB--sometimes much more.

If you are currently using the page file significantly, more memory
will decrease or eliminate that usage, and improve your performance.
If you are not using the page file significantly, more memory will do
nothing for you. Go to
http://billsway.com/notes%5Fpublic/winxp%5Ftweaks/ and download
WinXP-2K_Pagefile.zip and monitor your page file usage. That should
give you a good idea of whether more memory can help, and if so, how
much more.



"Tom Willett" wrote:

You just barely have enough RAM to use Windows, let alone any other
programs at the same time.

"tmb867" wrote in message
news :I have a Pent lll, Win XP SP3, Internet explorer 8, Avira Antivirus, 733
Mhz
: 256 mb of Ram and Virtual Memory is set for total paging file for all
drive
: is 428. The question is am I maxed out on memory or what can I check. I
just
: reformated this drive and it is 80 gig disc drive that is a quarter full
: since I just reformated. System is slow and trying to fix that.


.


--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
.


--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
  #23  
Old March 2nd 10, 09:52 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain
Ken Blake, MVP
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 10,402
Default Memory

On Mon, 1 Mar 2010 17:41:02 -0800, tmb867
wrote:

I changed it to No Paging File, is that ok.



No, it's not OK. It's a very poor thing to do. It can never help you
and it will often hurt you.

The only way to reduce page file use in a way that can help is to add
more RAM. My point was that adding more RAM to reduce page file use is
only valuable if there is significant page file use.


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Mon, 1 Mar 2010 13:16:01 -0800, tmb867
wrote:

i guess my question is can I add more? Or how do I figure out if I CAN add
more?



For the answer to that question, you have to check the specs for your
motherboard.

But, despite what Tom says below, I would not automatically assume you
need more. How much RAM you need for good performance is *not* a
one-size-fits-all situation. You get good performance if the amount of
RAM you have keeps you from using the page file significantly, and
that depends on what apps you run. Most people running a typical range
of business applications under XP find that somewhere around 512MB
works well, others need more. Almost anyone will see poor performance
with less than 256MB. Some people, particularly those doing things
like editing large photographic images, can see a performance boost by
adding even more than 512MB--sometimes much more.

If you are currently using the page file significantly, more memory
will decrease or eliminate that usage, and improve your performance.
If you are not using the page file significantly, more memory will do
nothing for you. Go to
http://billsway.com/notes%5Fpublic/winxp%5Ftweaks/ and download
WinXP-2K_Pagefile.zip and monitor your page file usage. That should
give you a good idea of whether more memory can help, and if so, how
much more.



"Tom Willett" wrote:

You just barely have enough RAM to use Windows, let alone any other
programs at the same time.

"tmb867" wrote in message
news :I have a Pent lll, Win XP SP3, Internet explorer 8, Avira Antivirus, 733
Mhz
: 256 mb of Ram and Virtual Memory is set for total paging file for all
drive
: is 428. The question is am I maxed out on memory or what can I check. I
just
: reformated this drive and it is 80 gig disc drive that is a quarter full
: since I just reformated. System is slow and trying to fix that.


.


--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
.


--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
  #24  
Old March 4th 10, 05:03 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain
Daave[_8_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,461
Default Memory

tmb867 wrote:
I have a Pent lll, Win XP SP3, Internet explorer 8, Avira Antivirus,
733 Mhz 256 mb of Ram and Virtual Memory is set for total paging file
for all drive is 428. The question is am I maxed out on memory or
what can I check. I just reformated this drive and it is 80 gig disc
drive that is a quarter full since I just reformated. System is slow
and trying to fix that.


That's an older PC, for sure!

You neglected to tell us the make and model of the PC (and/or
motherboard). With that information, we can then determine the maximum
amount of RAM your PC can handle.

Or you can just enter that information he

http://www.crucial.com/

Although some people can have a speedy XP system with as little as 256MB
RAM, chances are you would need to add more physical memory (RAM) in
order that you don't over-rely on your pagefile (excessive pagefile
activity most definitely impedes performance).

The bad news is you have another bottleneck: the speed of your processor
(733 MHz). The fact of the matter is your PC's performance will never be
that great. Is it worth it to you to buy more RAM and see some
improvement or buy a new PC (or it can even be a used one that is five
years old) and see dramatic improvement. You would be surprised how much
performance two hundred dollars can buy!


  #25  
Old March 4th 10, 05:03 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain
Daave[_8_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,461
Default Memory


tmb867 wrote:
I have a Pent lll, Win XP SP3, Internet explorer 8, Avira Antivirus,
733 Mhz 256 mb of Ram and Virtual Memory is set for total paging file
for all drive is 428. The question is am I maxed out on memory or
what can I check. I just reformated this drive and it is 80 gig disc
drive that is a quarter full since I just reformated. System is slow
and trying to fix that.


That's an older PC, for sure!

You neglected to tell us the make and model of the PC (and/or
motherboard). With that information, we can then determine the maximum
amount of RAM your PC can handle.

Or you can just enter that information he

http://www.crucial.com/

Although some people can have a speedy XP system with as little as 256MB
RAM, chances are you would need to add more physical memory (RAM) in
order that you don't over-rely on your pagefile (excessive pagefile
activity most definitely impedes performance).

The bad news is you have another bottleneck: the speed of your processor
(733 MHz). The fact of the matter is your PC's performance will never be
that great. Is it worth it to you to buy more RAM and see some
improvement or buy a new PC (or it can even be a used one that is five
years old) and see dramatic improvement. You would be surprised how much
performance two hundred dollars can buy!


 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off






All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:44 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 PCbanter.
The comments are property of their posters.