Hi

I was wondering if I could ask someone about memory leaking. Recently I have had trouble running Photoshop on my computer. It didn't seem to be a problem in the past but it is now responding extremely slowly or not at all.
I am about to upgrade my memory from 512mb ( as Doug has suggested) but I don't want the same problem affecting my computer after Ive made the upgrade.

Any suggestions or is it purely a lack of RAM that is causing these problems.

Regards

First, I think there is a misunderstanding about what a memory leak is. The term is somewhat of a misnomer as memory does not leak. What happens is an application or process does not give up or reuse the memory it has used when it is done using it. Instead, it just keeps grabbing more. Before long, you have one program that is consuming all your RAM resources and the system bogs down. Adding more RAM only prolongs the process.

If you currently only have 512Mb of RAM, then I agree 100% with Doug, you need to bump that up to 1Gb right away - that is the "sweetspot" for XP. Less RAM, and your system runs slow, more and you see some, but not a whole lot of improvement for the money. When starting with only 512Mb of RAM, adding more RAM provides the best bang for your upgrade money. Period.

Increasing your RAM to 1Gb from 512Mb will yield significant overall computer performance gains! Not just with Photoshop, but with everything. With only 512Mb, Windows and your CPU are forced to spool data out to the Page File on the slooooowwww hard drive frequently. With 1Gb, Windows and the CPU will be able to use the much faster RAM. This not only results in much faster number crunching by the CPU, but saves wear and tear on your hard drive too.

If you are driving your monitor with on-board graphics, then that makes things even worse! On board graphics processors need RAM too and so the system will snag system RAM, anywhere from 32Mb to 128Mb (depending on the system) and dedicate that RAM for graphics processing. In effect, it reduces even further the amount of RAM Windows and your CPU have to work with, resulting in a significant impact on overall performance. Most on-board graphics processors are fairly low-end solutions - great for "Office" type tasks, checking email, surfing the Internet, etc. Adding even a budget $50 video card can yield significant gains as the card will have a better GPU (graphics processor unit) and it's own dedicated graphics RAM to work with, allowing you to free up all the system RAM for Windows and the CPU. So not only do you get a better (faster) GPU with an add-in graphics card, you get dedicated memory, and you get a little system RAM boost by freeing up the previously snagged RAM. And with graphics intensives programs, like 3D animated games, and imaging programs, like Photoshop, the better the graphics hardware, the better the performance. So in terms of bang for the money, upgrading your graphics solution is the next best solution, after bumping up your RAM - especially if using on-board graphics.

In the meantime, to free up some RAM for Photoshop, you need to look at what programs are running - generally, look at what programs start up when you boot. Sadly, because of badguys, you MUST have a complete arsenal of anti-malware security tools running at all times - these include an anti-virus, anti-spyware, and a firewall program. These all consume lots of RAM, and so does XP by itself. There's not much you can do about them, although some AV programs consume more (a lot more) RAM than others. So look at what else is running and see if you can stop them from running at boot, or simply remember to exit them before running Photoshop.

Also, malware (spyware, viruses, Trojans, keyloggers, etc) can hog resources and bog your system down too. You need to run a complete anti-malware scan to ensure your system is free of vermin. If you don't have a complete arsenal of tools, see my canned text on Cleaning Out Malware for cleaning out your system, and for building your own security suite.

Hi

Thanks for the information - Do you know of any reputable places where I can buy an inexpensive graphic - is it cards in the U.K?
Also what is the most I can upgrade the RAM to? I have one slot remaining on my computer for that.

Thank you

This post has been edited by manicd: Dec 12 2007, 08:20 AM

I used to live in the UK in the 80s, but that is of no help now. The below UK retail sites have been used and recommended by UK posters. I have no personal experience with any of them and so this list is provided for research and comparison only.

Arbico
AriaPC
Dabs
Misco
Novatech
OcUK
PCNextday
PCWorld
SaverStore
Scan
Tekheads
TheCoolingShop

As for your RAM, I would have to know what motherboard you have to answer that question. But these popular RAM makers have auto-scanning and/or manual entry RAM wizards to help you determine compatible RAM. For manual entry, enter/select the PC or motherboard make and model number and the wizard will list compatible RAM.

Crucial - Memory Advisor
Corsair - Memory Configurator (manual data entry only)
GeIL - Memory Configurator (manual data entry only)
Kingston - Memory Search (manual data entry only)
Mushkin - Advisor
OCZ - Memory Configurator (manual data entry only)
Patriot - Memory Search (manual data entry only)
PNY - Memory Configurator (manual data entry only)
SuperTalent - Memory Finder (manual data entry only)

The following retailers have auto-scanners and manual wizards. They sell brand name and/or "house" brand (re-branded) RAM.

Newegg - Memory Configurator System Tool
MemoryStock - Upgrade Configurator
18004Memory? - Configurator

If you currently are running smaller RAM modules, 2 X 256Mb, for example, it may be best to remove those and go for 2 X 512Mb. That's just the cost of keeping up with technology - I have a drawer full of perfectly good, but slower and smaller RAM sticks.

Hi

I have now upgraded and installed 2GB worth of memory to my system. I'm pleased but it has taken nearly 1gb from my C: Drive is this normal . Also what advantages can I expect to see from upgrading?

Cheers

RAM does not consume disk space, so something else did that - perhaps temporary Internet files, program updates, or a new program. Run through the Deleting Temporary Files section of the Cleaning Out Malware link above. I pretty much explained all that above. The only thing I would add is that going from 512Mb to 1Gb yields much greater performance gains than going from 1Gb to 2Gb, meaning there is some, but not much gain going over 1Gb, especially with a single core CPU. If running dual-core (or quad-core), or if running Vista, then going over 1Gb may be a little more noticeable. The most noticeable gains are seen when starting with 512Mb or less, then bumping it up to 1Gb. That said, it certainly does not hurt to go above 1Gb so I am not suggested you wasted any money, unless, that is, you are using on-board graphics. If that is the case, then IMO, your money would have been better spent with 1Gb of RAM and a new graphics card instead of 2Gb of RAM.

Yeah thats what I thought? Before I installed the RAM I had 6.75 GB on my C: Drive with both AutoCAD and Photoshop installed but after the update it dropped to something like 5 GB.

Ive now uninstalled AutoCAD & some other smaller programs which has only got me back up to just under 7GB. I clear out temp files, do scans etc periodically so I don't think its that

Any other ideas.


Sorry

Again, adding RAM does not consume disk space, but many other things do, including malware, system restore points, Windows Update downloads, program updates for anti-virus and anti-spyware programs. Other than that I have no explanation but I would ask if you are 100% certain it was 6.75Gb before? Most folks do not pay close attention to precise amounts. Perhaps it was closer to 6Gb before.

At any rate, whether it be 5Gb or 7Gb free, that is too small amount of free space and I would be looking at replacing that drive with a bigger one, or adding another drive and moving some stuff on to it - soon.

I know you said RAM doesn't consume disk space but I have just removed one of my 1GB RAM modules and the Hard Disk space has just increased.
Before removing the module I checked the amount of space on the drive and it was 6.75 GB, after removing the module the HD space increased to 7.64 - I'm absolutely sure on this.
I agree with you about increasing the size of my Hard Drive but as i do not have the funds do this at the mo i have to make do with what Ive got

Whats going on?

Hi
As Digerati says adding Ram does not consume disc space.

However lots of folks have their page file set to say 1.5 times the amount of their RAM and if this applies to you it could be your page file that is absorbing the extra disc space.
You could go to Pc Pitstop. and run their full test for further information:
http://pcpitstop.com/

You will be asked to register andf accept an ActiveX control that is generally considered safe from that site.
Post back with the Tech Express link if you need any help with the implementation of the recommendations
Regards
paws

My next guess is that you have Windows set to manage the Page File (the default) and so with more RAM, XP is taking more disk space. You can try setting it to a fixed size, with the initial and maximum set to the same value. You need to also make sure you are checking the space at the same time - for example, immediately after boot up - and maybe in Safe Mode too.

Hi Paws




How do I rectify this? I swear on my life when I added the RAM = Less HD space. uninstalling the RAM = more HD space. This is happening I promise you.


PC PitStop Test Results (test result after removing one of two newly installed 2 x 1GB RAM)

Cheers Paws

I can do a before and after PC Pitstop test if you like just to prove that this is happening?

This post has been edited by manicd: Dec 15 2007, 04:20 PM

Paws sneaked one in on me, but the idea is the same - when Windows manages the Page File, it uses a formula which I believe adheres to the old rule of thumb, 1.5 X RAM for the maximum value. So with 1Gb, the Page File could reach 1.5Gb of disk space. With 2Gb, the PF would go to 3Gb maximum. This may explain the difference you are seeing.

Do note that IMO, that rule of thumb is no longer a valid rule - at least not for computers with more than 1Gb of RAM. A quick look at Task Manager, Performance, Commit Charge (K), Peak value will show the maximum amount of memory your system has used since last boot. For folks with 1Gb or more of RAM, that value is rarely, if ever, more than 1Gb. That means the system never needed to touch the Page File. Sadly, if XP sees memory, any kind of memory, it will use it, so it often uses the slow page file, even when it does not need it. For folks with 1 Gb of RAM or more, I see no reason to have a Page File bigger than 1Gb and so to prevent Windows from creating one bigger, I use a fixed size. Windows expects to see a Page File so it cannot be deleted. If you do not set one, it will for you, using the defaults.

To set a fixed size:

Right click on My Computer > Properties
Click on the Advanced Tab, then under the Performance section, click on Settings
Click on the Advanced Tab, then under Virtual Memory, click on the Change button.

Click on the C drive to highlight it, and check the Custom size button.

To set a Page file of 1Gb, that's really 1024Mb so enter 1024 for both Initial and Maximum size.

Then hit Set, and OK, OK, OK.

IMPORTANT: If you don't click the "Set" button, it won't set!

Then reboot.

See how that works for awhile, you may find you can change each value to 512Mb and operate with no problems.

Note that if you have your hard drive partitioned, or better yet, a second drive, it is good to move the PF to the second drive as then you don't have issues with it taking up space on the boot drive. Also, if a second drive, the system can access the PF on D: while accessing system files on C: - which provides a little performance boost.

Thanks to you and Paws for the help I really appreciate it.




Ok I'll give that a go and see how I get on.



Could you explain how this is done please, thank you.



Regards

How what is done? Do you have a partitioned drive? Or a second drive? In either case, you do it same way as I outlined before, only you set it on the other drive. Just make sure you clear the one on C:. And remember to click on "Set" each time.