low virtual memory problems and how to clear out image the computer saves and saves!

[moonglow]

Here in the last month or so I am getting a yellow triangle in my task bar that when I go over with it with mouse it says low virtual memory...but then it goes away...which is confusing. Doesn't tell me what to do or anything. My son likes playing alot of games on the computer which I know takes up alot of memory. The last couple of days was bad with the computer just freezing up and the browser (firefox) having to be shut down..or the computer needing to be rebooted for things to work right again. This has been slowly getting worse. I am wondering too if I need to find a way to clear out the massive amount of images the computer saves on it. I found this by accident one time ..a folder that has every little picture from every site we have ever been on. It saves the smilies on here...saves every button, every ad...even arrows and tiny little images. That has got to take up tons of memory I would think! I don't know if I need to be clearing all that out once in awhile....not even sure how to find it again! (anyone know!)

I just have tons of junk built up on the computer..like in my task bar I have things I don't want in there but see no options on removing them...if I push on Ctl Alt delete to bring up the Windows Task Manager and click on processes there are tons of programs running on that..most I have no clue what they are and many I don't think need to be running...I am sure that takes up computer resources too.

In order for some programs to run right on here lately I have been having to close my YahooIM...have no idea why that would make a difference but it seems to help. Even it has constant ads running on it. Now even my online Yahoo email does too ...so I have all these things up running all flashing ads constantly! :B That has got to be taking up alot of memory too. Yahoo email used to not have these annoying flashing ads on it...hate it!

Anyway...any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

God bless

[Brennen]

I am wondering too if I need to find a way to clear out the massive amount of images the computer saves on it. I found this by accident one time.While your problems could be related to a number of things, here is the answer to this question:

The temp folder that contains all the temporary information on a computer can be found and / or cleared out in a number of ways. Here are a few, assuming you are on Windows XP and have Internet Explorer 7:


Manually going to the folder (Advanced; not recommended)

Click the Windows "Start" button.
Select the "Run" button from the menu.
Type "local settings" without quotes.
Press "Enter".

Note: The folders are located here, but are usually hidden from view. I will note at the bottom of this post the full location of the three folders so you can reach them.


Open each folder in question and delete the contents. Please be cautious before doing so, so you do not delete anything important.


Clearing from Internet Explorer

Click the Windows "Start" button.
Navigate and open Internet Explorer.
From IE, select the "Tools" menu at the top.
From Tools, select "Internet Options".
From the main 'General' Tab, you will see a section called Browsing History where you can delete all the Cached data.
Select "Delete".
From the new window, delete "Temporary Internet Files" and "Cookies".


Clearing from Firefox

Click the Windows "Start" button.
Navigate and open Mozilla Firefox.
From Firefox, select the "Tools" menu at the top.
From Tools, select "Clear Private Data".
From the new window check "Cache", "Cookies", and "Offline Website Data".



As I mentioned, the problem could be related to more than just temporary files. However, clearing your temporary files is always going to be helpful -- though not always noticeable -- and should help with performance issues. As for the 'virtual memory is low', you could always increase the Page File size (assuming you have the disk space) and see if this solves the problem. Since writing directions can get clunky, and there are already better answers out there I will give you a link to help you out: Optimize Pagefile (http://www.petri.co.il/pagefile_optimization.htm). After everything is said and done it wouldn't hurt to reboot the computer and then run a disk defrag (without anything else running).


For the manual approach, these are the main folder locations:
C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\local settings\temporary internet files\content.ie5\
C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\local settings\temporary internet files\
C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\local settings\temp\
C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\local settings\temp\
C:\Windows\Temp\
C:\Temp\

[Literalist-Luke]

Excellent advice from Brennen. :yes: The only thing I would add is that you need to be prepared for those steps to possibly take a long time, depending on how much cleanup your computer needs. Watch the light on your computer that shows disk activity, and as long as it's still going crazy, you know your computer is busy doing the job you requested. Be patient because it might take a while.

I would also recommend a reboot after you finish those steps, just to give Windows a chance to reset itself.

[moonglow]

Thanks...I clear that all quiet often but did it again...only took a few minutes on IE and a few second on firefox. But yet when I found the temp folder on my computer (outside of the browser ones) it has alot of stuff in it! But not overwhelmingly so. What I want to find is that one folder that seems to have saved every little bitty picture from the net. Like I found individual pictures of each character from some of the games my son plays on the computer..:rolleyes: A huge amount of images in this folder that I think needs to be cleared out...I just can't remember where I found it before. Oh and just now I got that yellow triangle warning again...:cool:

My mom's husband...their computer got slower and slower and slower because he never cleaned out the browser temp folders and yes it took all day long once we finally convicted him it was safe! He hadn't done it and they had the computer for several years!

I don't think this is what my problem is like I said, I keep that cleared out and I do a disk clean up and defra also...

Any other ideas?

Thanks!

[Brennen]

What I want to find is that one folder that seems to have saved every little bitty picture from the net.That particular folder should belong to these two:



C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\local settings\temporary internet files\content.ie5\
C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\local settings\temporary internet files\


To reach them, you can simply copy and paste them into: Start > Run > [Paste Location] > Press "Enter"

[1] Should contain folders named 8XY9G2S, P45GHZ7, etc., and each folder is filled with content. (Images, Data, Etc.) ; [2] will contain cookies, javascript files, images, css files, etc. Not sure if you got to those folders or not. Keep in mind the more profiles you have, the more of these folders exist. For example, if you and your son both have seperate logon accounts, then you each have one of these folders.

Lastly, I don't know if you managed to check out that page I posted, but it will most likely help with the virtual memory issue. Here is the link again (http://www.petri.co.il/pagefile_optimization.htm).

[SFASH]

I might also suggest calling up your task manager, processes, going to view, then to select columns, then checking Virtual memory and hitting ok.

You will then have a VM Size column on the far-right. This will give you an idea of which processes(s) are draining your virtual memory. If you can live without a certain process, I would suggest highlighting it then ending the process.

Third party anti-virus, and games are usually the biggest users. If you have a good, dependable third-party anti-virus and windows defender running at the same time, you will find that windows defender (MsMpEng.exe) process can be ended, freeing up VM.

You might have to experiment. You can determine processes by googling the image name and finding out if it is essential or not.

[SFASH]

There is also a safe, free internet cache cleaner available. They ask for donations but do not require them.

http://www.CCleaner.com/

This is an excellent tool that cleans out those hidden IE files.

Keeping a large email cache also burdens virtual memory.

[moonglow]

That particular folder should belong to these two:



C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\local settings\temporary internet files\content.ie5\
C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\local settings\temporary internet files\


To reach them, you can simply copy and paste them into: Start > Run > [Paste Location] > Press "Enter"

[1] Should contain folders named 8XY9G2S, P45GHZ7, etc., and each folder is filled with content. (Images, Data, Etc.) ; [2] will contain cookies, javascript files, images, css files, etc. Not sure if you got to those folders or not. Keep in mind the more profiles you have, the more of these folders exist. For example, if you and your son both have seperate logon accounts, then you each have one of these folders.

Lastly, I don't know if you managed to check out that page I posted, but it will most likely help with the virtual memory issue. Here is the link again (http://www.petri.co.il/pagefile_optimization.htm).



Thanks! And yea I missed that link the first time somehow...so thanks for posting it again. :)

SFASH I might also suggest calling up your task manager, processes, going to view, then to select columns, then checking Virtual memory and hitting ok.

You will then have a VM Size column on the far-right. This will give you an idea of which processes(s) are draining your virtual memory. If you can live without a certain process, I would suggest highlighting it then ending the process.

Third party anti-virus, and games are usually the biggest users. If you have a good, dependable third-party anti-virus and windows defender running at the same time, you will find that windows defender (MsMpEng.exe) process can be ended, freeing up VM.

You might have to experiment. You can determine processes by googling the image name and finding out if it is essential or not.

I checked that and the biggest one is the one that runs the computer..lol. I have a bunch of junk running though that I am not using like Ipod..paltalk..which I can't get fully off my computer for some reason and others. If I take them off, they come back the next time the computer is turned on. How can I remove them from the task manager for good? YahooIM sure takes up alot too and I only have it on so show me when I get an email...:B

SFASH There is also a safe, free internet cache cleaner available. They ask for donations but do not require them.

http://www.CCleaner.com/

This is an excellent tool that cleans out those hidden IE files.

Keeping a large email cache also burdens virtual memory.

Thanks..I saved it.

[SFASH]

I would first go to start...all programs, and check each unwanted program to see if it has an uninstall feature there. For those that don't, I would go to Control Panel...add or remove programs, then go down the list and remove each one you no longer want, one at a time. (time consuming)

You may be prompted to restart your computer for some of them.

Also a good idea to run disk-cleanup (my computer, disc C, properties, clean disc) after you've removed them all.

Those things you mentioned such as paltalk etc. are all heavy VM users because most of them are running on startup.

[Brennen]

If I take them off, they come back the next time the computer is turned on. How can I remove them from the task manager for good?The best way is to use the registry, but as that can be a little more dangerous of a method, we will go with the simplest: MSconfig

Start > Run > Type "msconfig" > Press Enter > Startup Tab

^^ From the startup tab you can uncheck each item you do not want to start up with the computer. After you select the ones you want / do not want you will need to reboot the computer. After the reboot, upon logging in, you will receive a message letting you know startup items had been changed; simply check the box that appears and click 'Ok'.

[Richard H]

Some good stuff here. 'Don't recommend going int the reg, unless you have at least an idea of what you are doing. Editing the reg is not like saving a file. You edit in real time, so there isn't a second chance.

How much free space is left on your harddrive?

I know when a drive gets filled up - the v-mem file is smaller, so the machine is slower.

[DaniHansen]

How old is your PC? Maybe it's not software related, and you may have a stick of memory going south?

Just adding to the string of possibilities ... PCs enjoy locking up and even rebooting themselves when RAM is an issue.

I don't think it would be using a whole lot of virtual memory (if any) if it had enough RAM to do what it needs to. Just a thought ...

Another option might be to do a spyware check. Those like to send a PC through all kinds of strange happenings.

A decent spyware removal software (free, too) is Ad-Aware, and Spyware Search and Destroy. Both are downloadable and have free versions.

[moonglow]

How old is your PC? Maybe it's not software related, and you may have a stick of memory going south?

Just adding to the string of possibilities ... PCs enjoy locking up and even rebooting themselves when RAM is an issue.

I don't think it would be using a whole lot of virtual memory (if any) if it had enough RAM to do what it needs to. Just a thought ...

Another option might be to do a spyware check. Those like to send a PC through all kinds of strange happenings.

A decent spyware removal software (free, too) is Ad-Aware, and Spyware Search and Destroy. Both are downloadable and have free versions.

I ran that today..Ad-Aware just in case there was something I was missing on that...but the little yellow triangle came up later anyway! ugh...

I'll reply to the other posts tomorrow when I am not so tired...thanks for everyone's help!

God bless

[DaniHansen]

You can also try to increase your page file, which, if you have a large hard drive (which newer PCs always do), is an easy thing to do and may just fix your problem.

Taken from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/826513

Windows XP

1.Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
2.In the System Properties dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
3.In the Performance pane, click Settings.
4.In the Performance Options dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
5.In the Virtual memory pane, click Change.
6.Change the Initial size value and the Maximum size value to a higher value, click Set, and then click OK.
7.Click OK to close the Performance Options dialog box, and then click OK to close the System Properties dialog box.

[moonglow]

You can also try to increase your page file, which, if you have a large hard drive (which newer PCs always do), is an easy thing to do and may just fix your problem.

Taken from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/826513

Windows XP

1.Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
2.In the System Properties dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
3.In the Performance pane, click Settings.
4.In the Performance Options dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
5.In the Virtual memory pane, click Change.
6.Change the Initial size value and the Maximum size value to a higher value, click Set, and then click OK.
7.Click OK to close the Performance Options dialog box, and then click OK to close the System Properties dialog box.

Ok I did that...changed it from the max being 768 to 800 MB. It says space available 35810 MB. I didn't know if 800 would be enough or not. There was no sliding scaled to just increase it that way..had to type in a number. You think that is high enough or do I need to go higher?

Also I clicked off my YahooIM main window but it said I could still receive email alerts (which is what I want) and chat if I want too. I rarely use it anymore for chatting. Anyway I checked to see how much virtual memory its still using and its 28,988 K which I think it an awful lot! Like I said it seems like whenever we do have problems with things running right on here if I totally close YahooIM then the computer does better....never used to have that problem and I don't understand why its using up so much VM. Of course they used to not have adds flashing on the bottom of it either...:mad: I think those adds take up alot of VM. But if the main box is close why is it still using up so much VM?

Thanks for your help.

God bless

[Richard H]

Mike Lin has a free control panel for application startups – if you want to trim your startups the easy way.
I use it all the time.

http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml (http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml)

Did you say your son put some games on there?

BTW: Did you clear your internet cache of temp files?
(I haven't read through all this again)

[moonglow]

Mike Lin has a free control panel for application startups – if you want to trim your startups the easy way.
I use it all the time.

http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml (http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml)

Did you say your son put some games on there?

BTW: Did you clear your internet cache of temp files?
(I haven't read through all this again)

Yes I did clear internet temp files. My son does have some downloaded software games..I go through from time and time and remove those he hasn't played in a long time but he mostly just plays online games. I know those type of games take up alot of memory.

[moonglow]

How old is your PC? Maybe it's not software related, and you may have a stick of memory going south?

Just adding to the string of possibilities ... PCs enjoy locking up and even rebooting themselves when RAM is an issue.

I don't think it would be using a whole lot of virtual memory (if any) if it had enough RAM to do what it needs to. Just a thought ...

Another option might be to do a spyware check. Those like to send a PC through all kinds of strange happenings.

A decent spyware removal software (free, too) is Ad-Aware, and Spyware Search and Destroy. Both are downloadable and have free versions.

Forgot to answer your all your questions. Well first yes I ran the Ad-Aware yesterday..I also have the free version of the AVG anti-virus...the thing is with it, it really slow down the computer and always has. Its so bad that half the time we put it on pause because the computer just goes too slow when its running and it takes hours to run! Its extremely annoying.

The thing is I never know on a daily basis what time one of us won't be on here to run it..or I could set it to run at that time. The middle of the night would be great but in order to do that I have to leave the computer on...which I don't like to do. What usually happens is probably half the time it gets paused and never finishes running because as I said it slows down computer too much. I try to remember to have it run when we aren't on it...like I leave to run errands....Nate goes out to play..whatever but I mostly just forget...:rolleyes: Its a real hassel. Now last night I was messing around on the computer and took off something out of the task bar I shouldn't have and well to make a long story short I had to reboot which messed up the antivirus and it couldn't finish running. So at bedtime I set it to run. Then when I got up at three something in the morning (I get up alot in the middle of the night) I checked it and cleared out tracing things and then shut down the computer. I don't want to do that in the middle of the night all the time though.

I wish I could make it so the computer came on by itself about forty thirty or five in the morning and ran the anti virus itself..then it would be all done long before we got on it.

dream on I know....:cool:

On and the computer is probably around five years old..I think. I truly do not have the money to go get a new one either...this one needs to hang in there for a long time yet! :lol:

God bless

[Brennen]

Ok I did that...changed it from the max being 768 to 800 MB. It says space available 35810 MB. I didn't know if 800 would be enough or not. Had to type in a number. You think that is high enough or do I need to go higher?The link I posted earlier in the thread was for this. Essentially you have three forms of memory running your computer: Disk Space, Virtual Memory, and Physical Memory.

Disk Space: Your physical hard drive that you store all your data on. This is what the Operating system is on, all your pictures...everything.
Virtual Memory: "Disk Space" allocated for random access. Fake physical memory if you will.
Physical Memory: Physical devices that are used for data processing etc. Another term is RAM (Random Access Memory).

From the sounds of things, you have an 80GB hard drive (80,000MB Disk Space). Furthermore, that makes it likely that you have in between 512MB - 1024MB (1GB) of physical memory. The "recommended" Virtual Memory for this setup would be a 50% increase from your Physical Memory, which leads me to believe you have 512MB of Physical Memory. (512MB Physical Memory + 50% increase = 768MB Virtual Memory). So it should be accurate to assume that you have an 80GB Hard Drive, 512MB RAM (Physical Memory), and your Virtual Memory manually set at 800MB.

--- Moving past the boring stuff and to the point ---

With your (assumed) setup, 800MB allocated for the Page Filing (Virtual Memory) is definitely fine. However, since you are still have Virtual Memory issues -- and still have 35GB (35,810MB) of available space -- I would recommend increasing the Page File (Virtual Memory) to 1500MB - 2000MB (Instead of only 800MB). Also, make sure you set the "Initial Size" and "Maximum Size" to the same number so that your computer isn't constantly adjusting the data size.

[moonglow]

The link I posted earlier in the thread was for this. Essentially you have three forms of memory running your computer: Disk Space, Virtual Memory, and Physical Memory.

Disk Space: Your physical hard drive that you store all your data on. This is what the Operating system is on, all your pictures...everything.
Virtual Memory: "Disk Space" allocated for random access. Fake physical memory if you will.
Physical Memory: Physical devices that are used for data processing etc. Another term is RAM (Random Access Memory).

From the sounds of things, you have an 80GB hard drive. Furthermore, that makes it likely that you have in between 512MB - 1024MB (1GB) of physical memory. The "recommended" virtual memory for this setup would be a 50% increase from your Physical Memory, which leads me to believe you have 512MB of Physical Memory.

--- Moving past the boring stuff and to the point ---

With your (assumed) setup, 800MB allocated for the Page Filing (Virtual Memory) is definitely fine. However, since you are still have Virtual Memory issues and 35GB (35,810MB) of available space, I would recommend increasing the Page File (Virtual Memory) to 1500 - 2000. Also, make sure you set the "Initial Size" and "Maximum Size" to the same number so that your computer isn't constantly adjusting the data size.

Ok...I will try this...sorry I didn't get your link read yesterday..My allergies are acting up and my eyes are burning like crazy for days now. Its really a strain to have to super focus on this stuff with the numbers and all (I also have dyslexia and don't always see my numbers right..so that is why the added strain).

When I type in lets say, 1500...I add all those numbers to it, right? Or just put in 15? thanks.

God bless

[Brennen]

Sorry I didn't get your link read yesterday.Don't worry about it. I just wanted to remind you it was there since it can be very informative. Here is an image you help you with what the Page File should look like:


http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/9316/examplehw6.jpg

[moonglow]

Don't worry about it. I just wanted to remind you it was there since it can be very informative. Here is an image you help you with what the Page File should look like:


http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/9316/examplehw6.jpg

Ok thanks...very helpful!

edited..ok I changed it..will see if that keeps the computer from running so slow while the anti virus is running..which it is now.