RAM, and other problems

phs11 · 04-18-2009, 07:32 AM

Ok, hopefully one of ya computer savvy people can help me out here...

First off, not too sure the brands and dimensions of most things on this computer, since I came after it was bought, so Ill try my best.It was a custom built, and is XP OS. We have a 200G hard drive. 2G of RAM. And a really nice 500M NVidia graphics card.

Heres my problem, I have many programs running, including After Effects, Photoshop, Cinema 4D, and Illustrator (those are the main prgrms we use here)We have a wireless USB mouse and keyboard. We used to have a MyBook External hard Drive installed, but everytime we used it, the computer froze up, and we'd have to do a reboot. Now anytime I start the computer, I get a Virtual memory is low message, and this comes after a defrag. and disk cleanup was done. I also have about 70G of Hard Drive space left. Now, the freezing up is bad,even while running something as simple as RealPlayer or Quicktime. And sometimes when I have a few things running, it reboots itself... should I install 2 more GB of RAM, or should I take it in to a local computer repair shop? And is it ok to have a PNY RAM installed, and whatever the other company is (Im guessing ATI or something like that)in the same computer? or do they have to be the same company. Also, could there be a potential problem with the computer accepting USB devices, since anytime I have something installed in the USB port, it runs VERY slow, or freezes up.

Thanks in advanced!

**belfasteddie** · 04-18-2009, 10:54 AM

First thing to do is download Ccleaner. Run it before and after your disk cleanp and defrag.After the second run click on the Register button. This will get your comp really clean.
With the progs you are using I think I would be looking at the Maximum ram your MBoard will take. Normal Virtual memory is 1.5 times the amount of ram installed. In your case I think I would increase that to three times.
To check your ram, look here:http://www.memoryx.net/compaqnotebook.html
navigate to your make and model.
I don't know what comp you have so I cannot answer your ram or USB question.

04-18-2009, 07:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
phs11 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1 OS: xp	RAM, and other problems Ok, hopefully one of ya computer savvy people can help me out here... First off, not too sure the brands and dimensions of most things on this computer, since I came after it was bought, so Ill try my best.It was a custom built, and is XP OS. We have a 200G hard drive. 2G of RAM. And a really nice 500M NVidia graphics card. Heres my problem, I have many programs running, including After Effects, Photoshop, Cinema 4D, and Illustrator (those are the main prgrms we use here)We have a wireless USB mouse and keyboard. We used to have a MyBook External hard Drive installed, but everytime we used it, the computer froze up, and we'd have to do a reboot. Now anytime I start the computer, I get a Virtual memory is low message, and this comes after a defrag. and disk cleanup was done. I also have about 70G of Hard Drive space left. Now, the freezing up is bad,even while running something as simple as RealPlayer or Quicktime. And sometimes when I have a few things running, it reboots itself... should I install 2 more GB of RAM, or should I take it in to a local computer repair shop? And is it ok to have a PNY RAM installed, and whatever the other company is (Im guessing ATI or something like that)in the same computer? or do they have to be the same company. Also, could there be a potential problem with the computer accepting USB devices, since anytime I have something installed in the USB port, it runs VERY slow, or freezes up. Thanks in advanced!

04-18-2009, 10:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
belfasteddie Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Belfast N.I. Posts: 1,551 OS: Puppy Linux 4.12	Re: RAM, and other problems First thing to do is download Ccleaner. Run it before and after your disk cleanp and defrag.After the second run click on the Register button. This will get your comp really clean. With the progs you are using I think I would be looking at the Maximum ram your MBoard will take. Normal Virtual memory is 1.5 times the amount of ram installed. In your case I think I would increase that to three times. To check your ram, look here:http://www.memoryx.net/compaqnotebook.html navigate to your make and model. I don't know what comp you have so I cannot answer your ram or USB question.