Windows XP Memory Issues

aravindk · 10-01-2009, 07:49 AM

Greetings to all.

I have 4 gb memory installed on my desktop. According to the system properties, it is showing 3.23 gb.

Although I seem to have more than adequate memory, I often run into memory issues. In most cases, I have to reboot the desktop once every day or once every two days.

This desktop is an upgrade for me from the previous one which had only 2 gigs of memory which I used to reboot once once in two-three weeks or longer. I do have the terrible habit of having 12-15 applications open at a time. This is how it used to be even before with 2 gigs of memory.

Rebooting every day is a big nuisance for me. How do I manage my memory better? I downloaded Freeram xp pro hoping that would help, but i still dont see a big difference. Also this app shows my only 2 gb installed.

Any help in this regard is greatly appreciated

Thanks!
Arvind.

**CCT** · 10-01-2009, 08:23 AM

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...78(VS.85).aspx

aravindk · 10-01-2009, 09:24 AM

thanks for the link. While this article says what is the limits for each flavor of windows, it does not mention how to manage it better. My memory is well within the limits. The only concern that I have is I dont get all the memory that I have. That is what I think.

**CCT** · 10-01-2009, 12:34 PM

You have 64 bit? How much ram with your video?

aravindk · 10-01-2009, 01:04 PM

no this is 32 bit desktop. Not sure how much ram for video. if you can tell me how to find out, I can get it

thanks for reaching out!

**CCT** · 10-01-2009, 01:13 PM

As far as the gpu ram - click start, all programs, accessories, system tools, system information and look under Components, Display.

If you have a 32 bit OS, then 4 GB is the maximum - BUT that includes cpu cache ram, video ram, and other bits and pieces of ram.

So, simplistically, if you have 512 mb vid card you get 4000 - 512 = 3,488 MB of ram or 3.5 GB.

aravindk · 10-02-2009, 12:46 PM

Adapter Ram is 384 MB.

MY COMPUTER properties says 3.23 GB. In Task Manager under Performance->Physical memory, this is what I see:

Total 3,396,136
available 1,158,540
system cache 1,219,372

FreeRAM XP Pro (a memory management utility) shows 1136 MB free out of 2048 MB installed.

Why would this tool show installed memory far less than the actual? Any ideas anyone???

Again I somehow tend to think, not all 3.5 gigs of memory is available to me. But i could be wrong.

Dogg · 10-08-2009, 10:31 AM

You will typically get 3-3.5 gig recognized. Since FreeRAM XP Pro isn't even seeing all of the memory and XP is, then I'd suspect an issue with that app.

As for memory management, it's not necessarily an XP or RAM issue. Most issues are the result of applications not releasing memory when they are closed. Also, many apps set aside RAM for use when they are opened, even though they may not need it.

I'd concentrate your program use and/or trying to isolate which program (s) may be causing the issue.

10-01-2009, 07:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
aravindk Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP Sp2	Windows XP Memory Issues Greetings to all. I have 4 gb memory installed on my desktop. According to the system properties, it is showing 3.23 gb. Although I seem to have more than adequate memory, I often run into memory issues. In most cases, I have to reboot the desktop once every day or once every two days. This desktop is an upgrade for me from the previous one which had only 2 gigs of memory which I used to reboot once once in two-three weeks or longer. I do have the terrible habit of having 12-15 applications open at a time. This is how it used to be even before with 2 gigs of memory. Rebooting every day is a big nuisance for me. How do I manage my memory better? I downloaded Freeram xp pro hoping that would help, but i still dont see a big difference. Also this app shows my only 2 gb installed. Any help in this regard is greatly appreciated Thanks! Arvind.

10-01-2009, 08:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
CCT AWOL Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,000 OS: abacus	Re: Windows XP Memory Issues http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...78(VS.85).aspx

10-01-2009, 09:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
aravindk Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP Sp2	Re: Windows XP Memory Issues thanks for the link. While this article says what is the limits for each flavor of windows, it does not mention how to manage it better. My memory is well within the limits. The only concern that I have is I dont get all the memory that I have. That is what I think.

10-01-2009, 12:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
CCT AWOL Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,000 OS: abacus	Re: Windows XP Memory Issues You have 64 bit? How much ram with your video?

10-01-2009, 01:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
aravindk Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP Sp2	Re: Windows XP Memory Issues no this is 32 bit desktop. Not sure how much ram for video. if you can tell me how to find out, I can get it thanks for reaching out!

10-01-2009, 01:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
CCT AWOL Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,000 OS: abacus	Re: Windows XP Memory Issues As far as the gpu ram - click start, all programs, accessories, system tools, system information and look under Components, Display. If you have a 32 bit OS, then 4 GB is the maximum - BUT that includes cpu cache ram, video ram, and other bits and pieces of ram. So, simplistically, if you have 512 mb vid card you get 4000 - 512 = 3,488 MB of ram or 3.5 GB.

10-02-2009, 12:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
aravindk Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP Sp2	Re: Windows XP Memory Issues Adapter Ram is 384 MB. MY COMPUTER properties says 3.23 GB. In Task Manager under Performance->Physical memory, this is what I see: Total 3,396,136 available 1,158,540 system cache 1,219,372 FreeRAM XP Pro (a memory management utility) shows 1136 MB free out of 2048 MB installed. Why would this tool show installed memory far less than the actual? Any ideas anyone??? Again I somehow tend to think, not all 3.5 gigs of memory is available to me. But i could be wrong.

10-08-2009, 10:31 AM	#8 (permalink)
Dogg Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 3,774 OS: XP sp3 My System	Re: Windows XP Memory Issues You will typically get 3-3.5 gig recognized. Since FreeRAM XP Pro isn't even seeing all of the memory and XP is, then I'd suspect an issue with that app. As for memory management, it's not necessarily an XP or RAM issue. Most issues are the result of applications not releasing memory when they are closed. Also, many apps set aside RAM for use when they are opened, even though they may not need it. I'd concentrate your program use and/or trying to isolate which program (s) may be causing the issue. __________________ Google is your friend !