Virtual Memory?

[Boomyal]

Still having problems with Virtual Memory Paging File. I keep getting out of virtual memory notices and the system gets real sluggish and some things won't open. I have no games just normal programs (no memory hogs). The system wouldn't even let me access Help until I shut down and rebooted. Also, at one point, I went and looked at the properties of C drive and it was showing a much smaller unused amount than after the reboot. Something like 100 plus MB's<br /><br />Earlier I deleted a lot of stuff off of the C drive and the problem seemed cured, but it has come back.<br /> <br /><br />Here's the stats:<br /><br />Windows 2000 w/ 130 mb ram<br />partitioned 4 gb hard drive<br /> C: @ 2.19 gb w/ 435 mb free<br /> D: @ 1.81 gb w/ 1.05 gb free<br /><br />Current virtual memory paging file for all drives is set at 192 - 384 mb for C and the D drive has no settings<br /><br />None of this makes any sense to me. Any suggestions would help.<br /><br />I don't know if this has any bearing but I keep getting a Malware PE_Bugbear-1, which Trend Micro keeps finding and supposedly cleaning. I can do consecutive runs of trend micro and it keeps coming up with the Found and Cleaned message. I use my cable internet very seldom on this machine.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Virtual Memory?

OK, Start here...<br /><br /> Link<br /><br /><br />Another stick of 128 ram would help things too. W2K or XP does just fine with 512. You can move the swap file to the D drive (where there's more 'room')

 

[Mark42]

Re: Virtual Memory?

Boomyal,<br /><br />I would start with the disk utilities that came with your PC. Go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools. Run the Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter utilities. This will confirm with the system how much space you actually have, so that Virtual Memory space can be properly allocated on-the-fly.<br /><br />I see your running windows 2000, but there should be similar disk utilites to the ones I listed above (for win xp).

 

[chuckz]

Re: Virtual Memory?

Before you do anything else, get rid of the malware. It can be eating up all your memory. If your antivirus doesn't remove it automatically, Google the virus name and it will come up with a link to Trend Micro's site with manual removal instructions.<br /><br />Your system ran before with the existing RAM and hard drive. If you cleaned up the hard drive and have significantly more than 384mb of unused disk space, hardware is not your problem.<br /><br />The virus is the prime suspect. It is the one thing you know changed from when your system worked to now. Sooner or later you have to get rid of it. If you do that first and your problem disappears you're done.

 

[tcube]

Re: Virtual Memory?

I'm not trying to hijack Boomyal's thread but Mark you suggested doing the disk cleanup - a very good idea. I used to do that regularly but for the past several months all it does is lock up my PC with 100% CPU usage - I have to reboot to fix the condition. Any suggestions? - Oh, it's XP Home edition.<br /><br />Thanks, tcube

 

[Mark42]

Re: Virtual Memory?

LI Chuck,<br /><br />Your right. I missed the Malware part. Get rid of that thing, then go from there. <br /><br />Tcube,<br /><br />How long does it run before you re-boot? If your disk is getting full, those utilities can run 15 minutes to an hour or more. Especially with XP, there is so many links to be reconciled that it takes a while. Just because it's at 100% doesn't mean it's in a loop.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Virtual Memory?

About your virtual memory size. Always set your virtual memory so that initial size is the same as the recommended maximum size. If you set it smaller and it needs to grow, it will be fragmented. I don't remember them now but there are some restrictions on the maximum number of fragments and the minimum contiguous space for vm - and it's different for each version OS. Defrag should be done and get rid of that bugbear thing.

 

[spratt]

Re: Virtual Memory?

I would think immediately from the stats given, that disk space (swap file, pagin file) is the problem. With only 130MB RAM, your system needs all teh disk space it can get to utilize for swapping. Therfore, the swap file needs to be changed to Drive D:, which will actually improve the performance, by not using the same drive for scratch writes that applications / system is running from. The changes aremade by Right clicking on "My computer, then selecting "Advanced" then "Performance"...at teh bottom you will see Virtual Memory, which is your paging file settings. Open it and change it to drive D:, and let Windows use what it needs or wants to...the computer should then be rebooted.

 

[tcube]

Re: Virtual Memory?

Mark,<br /><br />I've actually let it run all night and it doesn't work. I have a "D" drive that it works fine on. "C" is 20 gig and approx 1/2 full. I regularly error check and defrag - they work fine.<br /><br />Thanks - tcube

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Virtual Memory?

Thanks for the link, Xcusme. It got rid of PE_bugbear whereas the regular Housecall did not. In fact with virus in place, Housecall would not even run right. Now it does. The computer runs faster, everything will open and I am not getting the 'virtual memory' notices.<br /><br />Thanks all for your inputs. I will move the swap file to my less crowded D: drive and I will double the ram when I install the extra harddrive that was discussed in a previous thread.<br /><br />One other question. It relates to having 'caught' the virus. Can you get a virus from being hooked up to the cable, even if you do not have a browser open? Although my 'work' computer may have had this malady for some time, I hardly ever use it to access the internet. It just sits there hooked up to the router.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Virtual Memory?

"Can you get a virus from being hooked up to the cable, even if you do not have a browser open? "<br /><br />Are you running any kind of NAT router or firewall programs on the 'work' computer?<br /><br />There are many ways into your computer when you're connected to the Web. A combination of default open ports and services can allow exploits. Just one mis-configured setting can open you up.<br /><br />The trick of staying ahead of the game is to 'Get Small', lessen your online profile, get below the radar, so to speak.<br />This includes:<br />Use a good router <br />Closing open ports<br />Closing/stopping unused services --- Read ALL about it--- Blackviper.com<br />Don't use Microsoft Browser<br />Don't use Outlook Express<br />Turn off Automatic Updates, read , then do updates as you see fit<br />STOP using automatic login to the Windows GUI<br />Stiffen your security policy of file shares and accessibility <br />START logging on as a restricted user on your own machine <br />Rename the Administrator account<br />STOP letting Windows 'remember' your passwords<br />Turn off VBS scripting<br />Turn OFF HTML emails<br /><br /><br />There, that should keep you busy for awhile !! There's a lot more stuff to do too

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Virtual Memory?

Originally posted by Xcusme:<br /> "Can you get a virus from being hooked up to the cable, even if you do not have a browser open? "<br /><br />Are you running any kind of NAT router or firewall programs on the 'work' computer?<br /><br />There are many ways into your computer when you're connected to the Web. A combination of default open ports and services can allow exploits. Just one mis-configured setting can open you up.<br /><br />The trick of staying ahead of the game is to 'Get Small', lessen your online profile, get below the radar, so to speak.<br />This includes:<br />Use a good router <br />Closing open ports<br />Closing/stopping unused services --- Read ALL about it--- Blackviper.com<br />Don't use Microsoft Browser<br />Don't use Outlook Express<br />Turn off Automatic Updates, read , then do updates as you see fit<br />STOP using automatic login to the Windows GUI<br />Stiffen your security policy of file shares and accessibility <br />START logging on as a restricted user on your own machine <br />Rename the Administrator account<br />STOP letting Windows 'remember' your passwords<br />Turn off VBS scripting<br />Turn OFF HTML emails<br /><br /><br />There, that should keep you busy for awhile !! There's a lot more stuff to do too

How 'bout I just unplug the cat 5 connector? You makin me dizzy, Xcusme. I gotta life to live.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Virtual Memory?

HA!!! Yup, disco the Cat5, that should do it! You'd still have to watch CD's,Thumb Drives, floppies etc. I havn't had any type of Trojan/Virus in so long , I kinnda feel left out...Not<br /><br />Tune in next week, and I'll explain how to use your broad band connection to make encrypted voice phone calls IP to IP (not using Skype!). It works with dial-up modems too BTW.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Virtual Memory?

I have TrendMicro's subscription antivirus program on my primary computer. That along with Lavasoft Adaware, Spybot and Panicware Popup Stopper keeps me pretty clean. I just don't want to pop another $50 for my work computer for antivirus.<br /><br />Don't make your voice call seminar too soon after Thanksgiving dinner. I handle laundry lists even less well with a full belly.

 

[jimmythekid]

Re: Virtual Memory?

more ram would give noticeable improvement in speed and function for sure

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Virtual Memory?

"Don't make your voice call seminar too soon after Thanksgiving dinner. I handle laundry lists even less well with a full belly."<br /><br />Not to worry, that's why I said 'next week' ! It'll probably take me that long to get vertical again.<br /><br />Have a great T-Day!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Virtual Memory?

I have a question re moving the swap file to the d: drive.(win2k)<br /><br />When I open the appropriate box, it displays both the c drive and the d drive. Below it are boxes that show the recommended and maximum sizes for the drive that is selected. <br /><br />To move the swap file, should I just erase the allocations when the C drive is selected and place them in the currently empty boxes when the D drive is selected?

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Virtual Memory?

Yes, click on the C drive (at the top), zero both numbers, click on Set<br />Click on the D drive, enter swap file sizes, min and max, click on set, Click on OK or apply as needed, reboot.<br /><br />Small tip.....<br />The outer most area of the hard drive is the fastest. This is where you want your swap file. Apply the new swap file to the D drive with it empty.<br />Some folks do a slight twist on this theme. They create 2 partitions on the D drive, one small to hold the swap file, the larger partition (balance of the drive) for files.<br /><br />Here's the reasoning, If you make the first D drive partition, say 300MB, for the swap file, it's at the 'front' of the drive, so it's fast. The size of this 'swap file partition ' is about 2.5 times the size of your installed memory. When you tell Windows to use the 'D' partition for the swap file, assign ALL of the 300MB for the swap file. Both the mininum and maximum numbers are the same. Since Windows won't dynamically change the swap file size, it's less likely to get fragmented. Using the 'suggested' swap file sizes is a waste of hard drive real estate.<br />BTW, this fast swap file business works best when the D drive is on a different IRQ than that of the C drive. In plain English, If your C drive is set as a Primary Master, make the new physical D drive the Master on the Secondary IDE channel. Now each hard drive will be using a different IRQ.<br />Primary Master and Primary Slave use IRQ of 14.<br />Secondary Master and Secondary Slave use IRQ 15.<br /><br />Is your head spinning yet?? We might have to start calling you Pinwheel Boomya !

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Virtual Memory?

...and I haven't even eaten any turkey yet either! <br />& btb, I assume, by 'installed memory', you mean RAM? and, excuse me, I assume you remember that my current D drive is just a partition on the original physical drive. I have not yet yanked my second physical drive out of the other computer. I am waiting till I cannot get off the floor (full of turkey) before I drag out the old carcass and yank the beast. That is where I will get my extra ram to install as well.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Virtual Memory?

Yup! Thats right (Ram, that is)<br /><br />edit:<br /><br />Yes, I remember now. If you were to leave your existing hard drive (now-C and D) alone, your 'new' hard drive would have a small partition (E drive=swap file partition) and the balance of the drive (F drive) for files.