Memory problems?

Hi, Ive been advised to place a topic on here. I recently had a virus on my computer. Although it seems to have gone, the lady who was helping me suggested i go on here as she was conerened of the memory i had. The system management BIOS is reporting 256 MB of Ram windows is reporting 129Mb available. Would be grateful of some help. The computer seems to be running slower than what it did before i had the virus.Internet explorer also keeps disconnecting or not responding. Any suggestions on what to do next to improve things Thank you

Hi there,

Use this at your own risk:
For the RAM Problem you are having please Download FreeRAM, this is secure and frees some RAM.

Tips: Do not use all the time, Only use it if really needed or use it every once and a while, if you always keep it on it could cause your PC to slow down. I have it set as this and I use FreeRam every day before I turn my PC Off. I recommend this to you. Tom Coyote does not endorse this though.

Also, For your Internet Problem you are having, Try repairing your connection.

Hi jdee,

While many folks actually do use FreeRAM type utilities, my experienced opinion it that they are much more trouble than any small help you might get from them.

Recommendation: do not download nor run FreeRAM or similar utilities.
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Please post the TechExpress link from the PCPitstop Full Tests that you and Susan have been discussing.
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It is entirely possible that you have an Onboard Graphic Accelerator Device that is claiming 64mb or your RAM as Shared Video RAM.

256mb
-64mb
192mb of free RAM remaining for your system.

BIOS is reporting 256 MB of Ram windows is reporting 129Mb available.

Perhaps you "transpossed" the numbers when copying from BIOS???
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Let's have a look at your Pit Test.
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Since Windows XP calls for a minimum of 384MB of RAM, you are "time-sharing" all of your RAM resources, with nothing left over for brisk performance of any "application" like word-processing or internet browsing.
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Preliminary Recommendation: Add as much More RAM as you are able to afford.

After you post your Pit Test TechExpress we can look more specifically for items that may be consuming excessive amounts of your system resources.

Best Regards

Recommendation: do not download nor run FreeRAM or similar utilities.

agree, windows can manage memory just fine.

http://www.pcpitstop.com/techexpress.asp?id=XA6VFWEHVRWSR40J

Hi this is what i posted to Susan from the pcpitstop.Is this one ok or did i have to download it again?

Thanks jdee, Yes that's a good start. Did you perform the Recommended Tune-Ups? If so, then Run and Post a fresh PCPitstop Full Tests TechExpress, so we can see the improved results. You can turn off "Hibernate" to save a ton of resources for other use. Right-Click on any empty portion of your Desktop, then Select Properties. Select the ScreenSaver (tab) Select - Power Management - Select -Hibernate(tab) - remove the checkmark/tick from in front of Hibernate YIKES!!! you have 65% CPU Load - when you machine is supposedly "resting". Such a heavy load is caused by all of those "unnecessary" applications and process running from Startup. (Purple and Gray highlighted items in the Windows Details panel of your Pit Test. Consider "disabling" as many of those as you are able to disable. Installing More RAM, would be the "best bang for the buck" improvement you could make with this machine. Add as much RAM as you can afford. Keep us posted with your progress. Best Regards

TechExpress link for your current results:
http://www.pcpitstop.com/techexpress.asp?id=QVVAFW6YGVWSL79J

I ran a new test, i coul'nt remember if i done the tune-ups before?
Thanks for you help

That Pit Test looks "better", but you still have 20% CPU upload, which will continue to be a problem. Consider reviewing the Purple items in you Windows Details Results panel, for possibility of disabling more of those unnecessary items. Turn on your System Restore!!! Will you be able to consider installing more RAM? Keep us posted with your progress. Best Regards

hi i am not quite sure how to disable the (20% CPU upload) Could you help thanks

The 20% CPU load is occuring because you have so many applications and processes Loading at StartUp.
Most of those applications and processes are unnecessary for the successful running of your machine.
They are "use once" or periodic "updaters".

You also have (2) two, heavy "resource hog" security applications:
McAfee
Avast!
Note: Both are "competent" security programs, but consume "large" amounts of system resources.
On a "low resource" machine such as your own, these two applications probably contribute to significant slowing down of you overall system function.

I'm not entirely clear on the full nature of what McAfee has installed, but it "looks like" you have some components of McAfee AntiVirus installed, in addition to McAfee Firewall.
Since you also have Avast! AntiVirus, it is "very likely" that McAfee and Avast! will be conflicting from time to time.
It "is not" a good idea to ever have (2) two AntiVirus products running actively on a machine at the same time.


Recommendation:
If it was my decision (it's not. It's your machine, therefore your decision)
I would:
1. Download and SAVE to disk the (free) version of AVG Antivirus 7.5
(note: you already have AVG AntiSpyware 7.5, but I'm recommending AVG AntiVirus 7.5)

2. Download and Save to disk, the (free) version of Zone Alarm Firewall.

3. I would then "uninstall" ALL McAfee products from that machine.
4. I would then "uninstall" ALL Avast! products from that machine.

5. I would then install Zone Alarm (free) Firewall
6. I would then install AVG AntiVirus 7.5 (free)
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Again, if it were my machine and my decision (but it is yours, and your decision)
I would completely Uninstall all StopZilla products, since they are resource hogs, and since you already have AVG AntiSpyware 7.5 (which in my opinion, is already a more competent AntiSpyware than StopZilla)

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Next:
I would "disable" unnecessary applications and processes appearing in MSCONFIG - StartUp(tab)

Use MSCONFIG - StartUp to "disable" the items by removing the checkmark/tick from in front of the item
Note: At any time in the future that you wish to have the item running at StartUp again (not likely) you can simply go back to MSCONFIG and replace the checkmark/tick in front of any item.

Consider "disabling" ALL items in StartUp(tab) except your AntiVirus and Firewall (hopefully AVG and ZoneAlarm)

At least consider disabling the following:
sprtcmd.exe SupportSoft, Inc. C:\Program Files\TalkTalk\bin\sprtcmd.exe
Windows Media Player Microsoft Corporation C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe
Logitech QuickCam Logitech Inc. c:\program files\common files\logitech\lvmvfm\LVPrcSrv.exe

ctfmon.exe is another huge resource hog that hardly anyone ever uses.
It is designed to assist with language translation and also voice assist access to screen commands for owners with handicap access special needs.
Office XP speech Microsoft Corporation C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe

To disable ctfmon.exe
GoTo:
Control Panel - Regional and Language Options - Languages - Details - Advanced -
checkmark/tick the box that says "Turn off advanced text services"
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OK, I've given you alot to consider.
None of the above is hazardous to your machine, or put another way, all of the recommendations are safe.
But you should consider your "decisions" about what to do with your machine…. because it is your machine!

I'll recommend again, that your machine will perform better if you are able to Install More RAM.

Best Regards

thank you for your advice, i will do that. what you have recommended sounds good. I will firstly need to buy a disk though. Also if i was to buy more ram, is it possible you can tell me what type etc? And preferbly the lower costing one? Many thanks for your help!!!

Finding out "exactly" what RAM is appropriate for your machine has been made easy by "Crucial".

They feature a scanning type utility at their website that you can have scan your machine.
The Results will recommend exactly the type of RAM your machine can accomodate.

Crucial will also offer to sell you their RAM modules.
I like Crucial, which is a good product, but sometimes I don't like their prices.
I also like Kingston and PNY which are also good brands.

If you are lucky and have several electronic stores near-by, watch their advertized Sales.
Sometimes you can get a "real bargain" locally.

For "Online" purchases, I like:
http://www.newegg.com
http://www.tigerdirect.com
http://www.zipzoomfly.com

Once you've determined what you need, by using the utility at Crucial………. Shop around.
http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/

Note: If your machine requires PC2100 or PC2700, you can use PC3200 which is "backwards compatible" and usually considerably cheaper.
Reason, They just aren't making PC2100 or PC2700 much anymore, whereas many newer low-cost machines use PC3200……… so the supply is greater, at least for now.

If your machine uses PC4200 or above, you must buy the precise replacement type.
Fortunately, PC4200 is almost standard now in brand-new machines, so the price is reasonable.

If Crucial tells you that you need PC800…….. it "may" be possible to use PC3200 in some specific circumstances.

Otherwise, just hope that you don't need PC800 as it (RDRAM) is expensive.

If you machine runs on PC 100 or PC133, you can use either without much noticeable difference.
RAM always runs at the slower rate when more than two speeds are present in a machine.
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About "buying a Disk".
Does your machine have a CD-Writer, and do you have Easy CD Recorder or Nero, or similar installed.
I can't remember what your machine actually looks like. Sorry.

Buy CD -R. and "Don't buy" CD-RW.
CD -R is about $0.15 US per disk, whereas CD-RW is about $0.80 US per disk.
And I really don't know anybody who actually "uses" CD-RW, particularly because it's not all the good, and it requires more expensive, resource intensive, and combursome software to record CD-RW.

Best Regards

thank yo for your help. yes my pc does have a cd writer on it. i also have some cd - r and cd-rw. so i will do that in a while. many thanks again for your help!! Take care

Good work, jdee.