Physical Memory

[snakehips 0]

A colleague of mine reckons that the physical memory of this computer is being over used.

 

Here are the details:

 

Total Physical Memory 256.50 MB

Available Physical Memory 64.18 MB

Total Virtual Memory 854.03 MB

Available Virtual Memory 352.43 MB

Page File Space 606.55 MB

 

Can someone give me any information on this lot? Whatever you can tell me regarding good/bad/ok, and what physical memory is would be appreciated.

Oh, and if it is bad, how it can be remedied.

 

Cheers, peeps.

[Lazarus 0]

Physical Memory is the actual sticks of RAM that are slotted into the motherboard.

 

Virtual Memory is also known as the 'page file' and is literally a special file stored on the computers hard drive.

 

The OS uses a combination of physical and virtual memory to help manage the running of any programs (including the OS itself) on the pc.

 

Lets say you have 256mb of ram installed - you start up your pc and the programs that are loaded are the OS (150mb), anti virus (25mb) and you then go online with your browser (25mb). Simply by doing that your already using 200mb of your ram.

 

if you then want to watch a dvd on your pc or burn a cd or pretty much do anything else your pc is gonna struggle as it only has 56mb to play with.

 

Those quoted figures are saying that because theres not enough RAM, its having to use 'virtual' memory in order to run the programs.

 

the way to increase performance is to buy extra RAM (making sure you get the right kind) for the motherboard. i personally have 2gb (or 2000mb's).

 

The new windows OS called vista reportedly needs a recommended 1gb of ram simply to function. never mind run any other tasks like anti virus, cd burning etc etc

[snakehips 0]

Physical Memory is the actual sticks of RAM that are slotted into the motherboard.

 

Virtual Memory is also known as the 'page file' and is literally a special file stored on the computers hard drive.

 

The OS uses a combination of physical and virtual memory to help manage the running of any programs (including the OS itself) on the pc.

 

Lets say you have 256mb of ram installed - you start up your pc and the programs that are loaded are the OS (150mb), anti virus (25mb) and you then go online with your browser (25mb). Simply by doing that your already using 200mb of your ram.

 

if you then want to watch a dvd on your pc or burn a cd or pretty much do anything else your pc is gonna struggle as it only has 56mb to play with.

 

Those quoted figures are saying that because theres not enough RAM, its having to use 'virtual' memory in order to run the programs.

 

the way to increase performance is to buy extra RAM (making sure you get the right kind) for the motherboard. i personally have 2gb (or 2000mb's).

 

The new windows OS called vista reportedly needs a recommended 1gb of ram simply to function. never mind run any other tasks like anti virus, cd burning etc etc

 

I luv it, LUV IT, when people know what they are talking about!

 

Cheers, Laz, I owe you a Vimto

 

*next stop a computer shoppee*

[catmag 337]

I thought this thread was going to be about snakehips becoming more forgetful as he gets older. What a disappointment

[Lazarus 0]

Physical Memory is the actual sticks of RAM that are slotted into the motherboard.

 

Virtual Memory is also known as the 'page file' and is literally a special file stored on the computers hard drive.

 

The OS uses a combination of physical and virtual memory to help manage the running of any programs (including the OS itself) on the pc.

 

Lets say you have 256mb of ram installed - you start up your pc and the programs that are loaded are the OS (150mb), anti virus (25mb) and you then go online with your browser (25mb). Simply by doing that your already using 200mb of your ram.

 

if you then want to watch a dvd on your pc or burn a cd or pretty much do anything else your pc is gonna struggle as it only has 56mb to play with.

 

Those quoted figures are saying that because theres not enough RAM, its having to use 'virtual' memory in order to run the programs.

 

the way to increase performance is to buy extra RAM (making sure you get the right kind) for the motherboard. i personally have 2gb (or 2000mb's).

 

The new windows OS called vista reportedly needs a recommended 1gb of ram simply to function. never mind run any other tasks like anti virus, cd burning etc etc

 

I luv it, LUV IT, when people know what they are talking about!

 

Cheers, Laz, I owe you a Vimto

 

*next stop a computer shoppee*

 

 

Its very important you get the right kind of RAM. if you buy a stick of RAM with the wrong number of 'pins' it wont even fit into the slot on the motherboard. but even if you buy a stick with the right number of pins you still have to have one that runs at the correct frequency for the motherboard.

[snakehips 0]

I thought this thread was going to be about snakehips becoming more forgetful as he gets older. What a disappointment

 

Obviously hoping I'd forgotten what you promised me Oh well, I aint gonna hold you to it; though I meant it when I promised you would feel 22 again, despite feeling a little sore in places

 

 

 

Anyway, thanks Lazarus, I/we have been on crucial.com and lined up exactly what is required. Thanks again for your help.

[Lazarus 0]

Hope it didnt cost to much.