Hi

This is probably a common problem but as I have very little confidence with computers I just don't know.

A speech bubble keeps popping up on my screen stating that my virtual memory is low and that it is working to increase it. To add to this I have just installed a trial of a word/exel package - and now if I want to have my internet on and at the same time try and print something it tell me I don't have enough RAM space.
At times my computer keeps chucking me out and then comes up with a microsoft message saying it has recovered from a serious problem.

If I need to take it somewhere, can anyone recommend anywhere and what do you think is wrong with it.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

You need more RAM in your pc,it is cheap now and easy to fit unless it's a laptop.

You need more RAM in your pc,it is cheap now and easy to fit unless it's a laptop.

Or HDD space.

True but with the person saying it happens when surfing i thought RAM the most likely,could you give us the machines spec please Sheldon.

True but with the person saying it happens when surfing i thought RAM the most likely,could you give us the machines spec please Sheldon.

Yes the lack of RAM does seem to be the problem but as I found out a few months ago, it didn't matter how much RAM I had if the HDD got above the required amount things wouldn't run or if they did it took ages.

Hi

Here is where I really show my ignorance.

I know it has Windows XP Home Edition
It is a Packard Bell computer. I bought it just short of four years ago, to be fair I don't download anything it is used mainly for creating text documents for work. If you want to know anything else tell me where to look. The sticker that used to be on the front of the tower telling you the speck the kids pulls of months ago.

Thanks

Got to my computer right click your c drive then click system information or properties all the info is there.

Click Start> Settings> Control Panel> System, then click on the general tab. You can find out how much RAM you have there. For HDD space click My Computer, right click Local disk and select properties. We need the number and then the letters after for each.

Hi

It says the file system is NTFS
Free SPace is 21.7 GB
Total SPace is 33.2GB

Thanks

Hi

It says the file system is NTFS
Free SPace is 21.7 GB
Total SPace is 33.2GB

Thanks

The HDD is fine. You will likely just need extra RAM.

You could do with at least 512 MB of RAM.

It sounds very much like your ram is being eaten up very quickly. This can be overcome in some situations by your computer using your hard drive as a slower form of memory but it has an almost crippling effect if not done correctly.

What is happening is that your computer is running both applications and is running out of memory, it is then trying to use the hard drive as a work around but is being thwarted by a lack of hard drive space, hence the error.

If you have a few pounds then the suggestion of ram is the best idea, its fast, efficient and cheap.

If money on the computer is not an option then deleting a few programs from the drive OR lowering the virtual memory limit might help.

If it's a RAM upgrade you require (extremely likely - especially as it was store bought 4 years ago) I can help:)

Thanks for all your help xx

Go to My Computer. Right-click somewhere in the folder to open up System Properties. Go to the Advanced tab. Open Performance settings. Open Advanced tab. Add more to the virtual memory size. Profit.

Go to My Computer. Right-click somewhere in the folder to open up System Properties. Go to the Advanced tab. Open Performance settings. Open Advanced tab. Add more to the virtual memory size. Profit.

I've been getting this problem of virtual memory being low.
How do I add more please (simple terms for a numpty if you can)