34 replies to this topic

[Abydos]

Hi Damare According to the amount of RAM, your numbers should be ok. But a pagefile can be fragmented just like any other file, especially when placed on a drive with other data. So lets try first to defragment your pagefile. Find your pagefile settings, highlight your C drive, set pagefile to zero for min. and Max. (enable custom size if not done already) Click the radio button "define". (may be named differently), ok your way out, it will prompt for a re-boot. Reboot into safe mode, run a defragmentation once again of your C drive. Reboot into normal mode, and re-insert the original numbers for your pagefile (Or try let system manage it), remember to click define to save settings. It will prompt you to re-boot. See how it goes over a small period time. I know it may be a mouthful, but if you have any questions, just ask away. Regards Abydos

[Damare]

"Click the radio button "define". (may be named differently), " All I see is a "SET" button. Is this it? How do you reboot into safe mode? Thanks

[Abydos]

"Click the radio button "define". (may be named differently), " All I see is a "SET" button. Is this it?

How do you reboot into safe mode?
Thanks

Hi Damare

Yes, "set" will do.

To reboot into safe mode, tap F8 right after bios screen, just keep tapping it till you reach a black screen with some boot-options. Choose safe mode without network. This load your windows with only a minimum of drivers, so your screen resolution may be higher.

Regards Abydos

[Damare]

Ok I did everything you said. We'll see how it goes. Thanks again! Much appreciation.

[Digerati]

AMD Sempron Processor 3300+ 797MHz, 384 MB of Ram

Something is not right here. According to AMD, all 4 versions of the AMD Sempron 3300+ operate at 2GHz, not 797MHz..

My Page File stats - Drive C/space available - 25398MB. Custom size is "checked". Initial size MB 576 - Maximum size MB 1152 (nothing else "checked")
Total paging file size for all drives - minimum allowed 2MB/ Recommended 573MB/ Currently allocated 576MB. Is this good then?

The way your PF is setup is odd - at least in my experience. Most are managed by XP or Vista - and if you have at least 1Gb of RAM and plenty of free disk space, that works fine.

But with this system, I find it odd how this Custom setup is setup because (1) is not fixed in size, and (2) the sizes are odd; the initial is set too small and where did 1152 come from? Yes, the PF size of 573Mb does conform with the old general rule-of-thumb of PF = RAM X 1.5, but that rule came about when tiny DOS what the primary OS on PCs - a long time ago. This rule is a good starting place (and one Windows still uses) but that's it.

You did not mention the model number of your Compaq, but most on-board graphics systems rob at least 16Mb, typically 32Mb (up to 128Mb) of system RAM and dedicate it to graphics processing. So 384 - 32 takes you down even further to only 352Mb of RAM - that's barely enough for XP and your arsenal of anti-malware programs - start doing something and you immediately start hitting the PF on your hard drive hard - forcing XP to expand the PF out towards the maximum in no time. Not only does this beat on the HD, it takes a few extra CPU cycles to gather up the extra space - and maybe some shuffling of data chunks to make space if crowded.

Understand this expansion/contraction of the PF does nothing but contributes to fragmentation problems. On big drives with lots of free space, this contribution is negligible. But on a crowded drive, it can have a detrimental impact on performance.

Therefore, I always recommend setting a "fixed size" (initial = maximum) Page File, and if it can be placed at the beginning of the disk, even better.

There is another aging rule-of-thumb that says the "sweet spot" for RAM and XP is 1Gb - sweet spot being that point where less RAM affects performance significantly, but more RAM offers little improvement. I have modified/updated my "sweet-spot" recommendations to 1Gb for single-core CPUs with XP, and 2Gb with multi-core CPUs and/or running Vista.

The only correct way to determine the size needed for your PF is to check your memory usage in Task Manager. Start Task Manager (Ctrl-Alt Delete) and click on the Performance tab. Look at the Commit Charge (K) section.

Total = amount of memory system is currently using
Limit = RAM + Page File
Peak = the maximum amount of memory your system has used since last reboot

For computers with plenty of RAM, if the peak never exceeds the amount of RAM installed, then a Page File isn't even needed! However, Windows expects to find a PF, and if none present, it will create a new one. Therefore, all computers must have a PF, but for most folks with lots of RAM (say 1 - 2Gb or more) it can sure be smaller than 1.5 X RAM. With 1Gb of RAM, I start at no more than 1024Mb (1Gb) for the initial and 1024 for the max. Then use the computer and keep an eye on the Peak. If it starts bumping up close to the Limit, you may have to increase it a bit.

For computers with less than 512Mb, and low free disk space, proper PF setup is very critical. Setting both the same size sets a "fixed" size Page File. Again, I would set to 1024 for both values, then watch the Peak values, adjust as necessary. Too little will cause low memory errors, too much wastes valuable disk space.

Having said all that, with small amounts of RAM, the hard drive will always be taking a beating - increasing wear and tear, and adding to heat concerns within the case. I urge you to increase your RAM - preferably to 1Gb (although 512Mb would still be good). This will greatly improve over-all performance, including your graphics processing, and it will ease some of the burden on your drive.

Make no mistake, when starting with only 384Mb of RAM, adding RAM provides the very best bang for the money in terms of significant, and very noticeable, performance gains.

[Damare]

"Something is not right here. According to AMD, all 4 versions of the AMD Sempron 3300+ operate at 2GHz, not 797MHz" I checked it again and it was a different number. Then I checked again real fast, and it was another different number. I did eventually see 1.99ghz. So I dont know. I do have Windows XP, and the RAM remains at 384. I just changed the PF to 1024 for both values. Ill see how it goes. How do I increase my RAM? What do I need to get? Is it expensive? I do appreciate all the time youve spent helping me. Thanks again!

[Digerati]

Perhaps being a laptop, the speeds toggled down to save battery resources.

How do I increase my RAM? What do I need to get? Is it expensive?

Generally to increase RAM, you add another module, or replace the existing module(s) with larger ones.

I don't know what you need because you still have not provided the exact model number. 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

Normally, RAM is not very expensive (compared to other computer parts) - but again, without the model number, I don't know exact figures. And if the system uses obsolete type RAM, that may result in higher prices. But still, regardless, in your case, with such a small amount to begin with, there is no better (cost effective) way to increase your overall performance than increasing your RAM.

BTW, it would appear someone has already added some RAM to your system. 384Mb is not a common amount for a new system. So it would appear it initially came with 128Mb and someone added 256Mb, or the other way around; it came with 256Mb and 128Mb was added later. Be prepared to toss one or both existing modules into the spare parts bin - it is not likely you have more than two slots. If that were me, I would budget for 2 X 512Mb if possible and toss both existing modules. If the budget does not allow for that now, then 1 X 512Mb, then toss the 128 - assuming your motherboard accepts 512Mb modules.

[Damare]

Thanks for the links! Ill check those out. 76477-OEM-0011903-00101 is this my model number? Not sure where its located. Went to my computer, right clicked to properties and saw this #. Im bought this notebook new. I am the only one to have ever used it, and Ive never added or deleted any RAM. (not that I know of anyway)

[Abydos]

Hi Damare A quick guess on my part regarding that number, would be its the "name" of your computer. To see your motherboard, you can go : Start-->Accessories-->Tools-->system info (most likely second last option under tools). There you can see all sorts of info, including your motherboard (systemmodel). Regards Abydos

[Damare]

Ok. Thanks Abydos...Heres some more info System Model - Presario V5000 (ET820UA#ABA) System Type - X86-based PC Total Physical memory - 512MB Available Physical memory - 151.74 Total Virtual memory - 2.00GB Available Virtual memory - 1.96GB Page file space - 1.34GB Thanks again, & again.

[Abydos]

Hi Damare

Seems the odd number of 384 RAM comes from the fact that you actually have 512mb RAM, but your graphic is shared and takes 128 of them. Therefore you have 384mb RAM available.

According to your system spec's, your motherboard should support up to 2Gb's of 333Mhz DDR RAM. Heres a link where you can see all of your computer spec's:

Link

So, a buy of another 512mb would work. If the existing 512mb are divided in 2x256mb RAM, you might wanna go for 1-2x512 depending on your budget. (Have in mind that your graphic takes 128mb shared RAM of the total). As far as I can tell, you have two slots on your motherboard to put RAM in, of which either one or both are occupied, depending of the setup (1x512 or 2x256).

Regards Abydos

[Digerati]

Seems the odd number of 384 RAM comes from the fact that you actually have 512mb RAM, but your graphic is shared and takes 128 of them.

128 is a large chunk but that's what looks like is happening here.

Page file space - 1.34GB

Are you sure you don't have 2 page files?

According to that specs page, your computer has,

Memory 512MB 333MHz DDR System Memory (2 Dimm)
Memory Max 2048mb

So it would appear you have 2 X 256 for 512. It also shows your motherboard supports 2Gb (2 X 1Gb). So I recommend you budget for 2 X 512Mb.

[Damare]

"Are you sure you don't have 2 page files?" No Im not sure. lol Thanks for all the help...Abydos & Digerati! Now I know what to get and budget for. btw...since I increased to 1024 on the page file for both values, its does seem to be running smoother, & quicker so far. Also have NOT had the "Virtual Memory Too Low" pop up. (and Ive been online a lot) Thanks again!

[Abydos]

"Are you sure you don't have 2 page files?"

No Im not sure. lol

Thanks for all the help...Abydos & Digerati! Now I know what to get and budget for.

btw...since I increased to 1024 on the page file for both values, its does seem to be running smoother, & quicker so far. Also have NOT had the "Virtual Memory Too Low" pop up. (and Ive been online a lot) Thanks again!

Hi Damare

You're very welcome.

As for finding out, wether you got one or two pagefiles, the easiest way is to:

Rightclick "my computer"
Choose "administer" in the right-click menu
You should now be in the computer administration area.
Click once on "disc management"
In the overview section, you should see your partitions, and what they are called. It will be noted if the partition or part of it is functioning as swap-file area. (most system partition will have a swap file).

Or through the pagefile setup screen. (Digerati gave you the direction to it earlier), there it would be listed aswell.

Could you please see if your system is using the D drive for pagefiling. Because that would explain why you have fragmented files there.

Regards Abydos

[Damare]

Ok . This is what I see. It lists 2 volumes..C drive - /partition/basic/NTFS/Healthy (system)/48.47GB/23.18GB/47%/No/0) Presario_RP (D)/partition/basic/FAT32/Healthy/7.39GB/856MB/11%/No/0 It IS using the C drive for page filing. When I click on the D drive, "No paging file" is checked and the values are blank. Guess I just have one paging file then. Thanks again