Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

My computer is low on memory what do I do?

Jan 31, 2015 5:54PM PST

Hi,

My pc is low on memory and just looking for advice on the best way to solve this problem because a pop-up window asks me to close programs to avoid losing files due to low memory.

I have a 32-bit OS with 4GB RAM (3.21 GB usable)

When I go into task manager>preformance; it shows processes:68 and physical memory 3.2 GB with roughly 423 MB available.

In task manager>performance it shows 2.83 GB used memory and asks me to close programs when physical memory reaches 87% full.

My question is what is the best way to deal with this low memory problem?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Re: low on memory
Jan 31, 2015 6:23PM PST

Increase the virutal memory, either by incrementing the maximum allowed, or (recommended) by letting Windows manage it.

Kees

- Collapse -
(NT) Typo: virutal should be virtual.
Jan 31, 2015 6:24PM PST
- Collapse -
Answer
Agree with Kees, AND...
Jan 31, 2015 6:38PM PST

another thing you can do/consider is to reduce the number of unwanted applications that "Load at Startup" and stay resident in memory until needed. If they are never needed or rarely used, then they may be taking up valuable memory, (RAM).

Look at the Startup tab of the System Configuration Editor, (Start > Run, type in msconfig.exe and press Enter).

Mark

- Collapse -
Answer
what are you doing with it?
Feb 1, 2015 2:40PM PST

Something unusually demanding? Checked to see all tasks running and run google on all mentioned to see if they are legit, or malware?

- Collapse -
Answer
Don't put much files on the desktop
Feb 2, 2015 12:06PM PST

Don't put much files on the desktop, the files on desktop take occupation of the system disk. And don't install
program in the system disk.