Lozzy_Ozzy
Rapture
My PC has very temperomental memory-i only have 20GB and i have around 10 GB free-but sometimes i hav 7GB free, sometimes 11GB. Also i have deleted almost all of my programs yet i do not have any more memory free. Any ideas?
Memory problems
- Thread starter Lozzy_Ozzy
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Crazy Eddie
Genial drunkard
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- Sep 22, 2001
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When you say 'memory', are you talking about the space on your hard disk drive? Possibly there might be a lot of files in the recycle bin that could still be deleted, or data files from uninstalled programmes that the uninstaller might not delete. Windows' temporary files and folders would also use a varying amount of space.
If we're talking about virtual memory here, (which depends how much free HD space you have on the disk/partition the swapfile uses) you shouldn't have any problems unless it drops below 1-2GB, if your computer was actually *using* 10gb of virtual memory it would likely be running so slowly it would be almost unusable anyway.
If we're talking about virtual memory here, (which depends how much free HD space you have on the disk/partition the swapfile uses) you shouldn't have any problems unless it drops below 1-2GB, if your computer was actually *using* 10gb of virtual memory it would likely be running so slowly it would be almost unusable anyway.
Lozzy_Ozzy
Rapture
its physical memory and ive cleared the temp. folders and recycle bin
Crazy Eddie
Genial drunkard
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- Sep 22, 2001
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I would think so too, 20GB is about $10,000 worth. 
Try this program: Disktective It'll help you find where all of the space is being used up.
Try this program: Disktective It'll help you find where all of the space is being used up.
Lozzy_Ozzy
Rapture
I have ME and its physical memory ( i higjlight winme (c) drive to see how much i have
As the others have mentioned, it sounds like your virtual memory.
You have two types of memory: The first is your primary physical memory, also known as RAM. The second is your secondary virtual memory, also known as a swap file. Windows automatically sets up a swap file on your drive and normally makes it 1.5x the amount of RAM you have. However, it also makes variable sizes so that it could be anywhere from 1.5-3x the size of your actual physical memory.
You will need to go to your system properties and set your virtual memory to a static size that will not fluctuate. I would post instructions on this, but I haven't used ME in years to remember exactly where it is - just right click "My Computer" and click on "Properties" and then access something on the lines of the "Advanced" tab. There should be a few variables you can screw around with. DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. ALSO DO NOT DISABLE OR LESSEN THE SIZE OF YOUR SWAP FILE. Doing so could cause your system to become unstable; removing your swap file will probably make your computer run slower because it will be forced to use only your primary memory - and unless you have a ****load of RAM, you don't want to do that.
All you want to do is set the minimum and maximum to the same size.
You have two types of memory: The first is your primary physical memory, also known as RAM. The second is your secondary virtual memory, also known as a swap file. Windows automatically sets up a swap file on your drive and normally makes it 1.5x the amount of RAM you have. However, it also makes variable sizes so that it could be anywhere from 1.5-3x the size of your actual physical memory.
You will need to go to your system properties and set your virtual memory to a static size that will not fluctuate. I would post instructions on this, but I haven't used ME in years to remember exactly where it is - just right click "My Computer" and click on "Properties" and then access something on the lines of the "Advanced" tab. There should be a few variables you can screw around with. DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. ALSO DO NOT DISABLE OR LESSEN THE SIZE OF YOUR SWAP FILE. Doing so could cause your system to become unstable; removing your swap file will probably make your computer run slower because it will be forced to use only your primary memory - and unless you have a ****load of RAM, you don't want to do that.
All you want to do is set the minimum and maximum to the same size.
HAND
Armchair Philosopher
I have a similiar problem i think... My 10GB partition and i only 6.32GB used on it. That leaves roughly 3.5GB spare but WinXP constanly warns of low disk space. In disk Details in "my computer" it says i have only have 278Mb.
The virtual memory is set to 1536-3072mb.. even if thats not included on the used disk space that still leaves roughly 400-500mb spare?
Thx for any help.
The virtual memory is set to 1536-3072mb.. even if thats not included on the used disk space that still leaves roughly 400-500mb spare?
Thx for any help.
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2001
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There is also a hidden cache of a shedload of data that is stored on your PC that is not easily deletable. Not sure if it still exists in XP, but earlier OSs certainly had it. I'll see if I can find a link... [/threadjack]
I think you mean storage space on your HDD, not memory. This fluctuates because of the way disk space is used, and because of how data is stored.Lozzy_Ozzy said:
Virtual Memory is a file on your C: drive that changes size. So if you open many resouce-hungry programs, the size of this file will increase and your free space will reduce. I already said that you should manually sync the min/max file size which would prevent that.
There are other possible causes for fluctuating free space, but because you have a lot remaining (more than 20%), they are unlikely to be responsible on this occation.
