Low Virtual Memory..Should I purchase more Ram?

My dad's pc has low virtual memory. Should he purchase more Ram? Or, do a system restore? He's using Windows XP home edition Service Pac 2 on a Gateway. His ISP is AOL. His total physical memory is 129328 & available 8744 with 43 processes. Any suggestions???

 

need more input...
what how big is the harddisk and your processor, do you use software that demands a lot from your systems recourses like games, firewallsoftware and stuff if you require a lot from your system maybe you should grade up your RAM but sometimes just a system clean up does the trick remove programs you don't use and clean up harddisk space.......

 

Virtual memory is different from RAM. Virtual memory is when the computer uses a part of the HARD DRIVE for temporary storage. THAT can be increased or decreased as needed. Usually doesn't effect the performance of the machine.
Doing a "Disk Cleanup" helps, but not as much as a Defrag will.

 

yeah, sounds like the computer just needs to be cleaned up a little software-wise.

the usual, spybot+adware+antivirus, and a defrag, should do wonders

 

Thanks guys for your suggestions. So where can I find this spybot & adware? And when I find them, what do I do with them? How do you run a defrag?

I think my dad was about to purchase more RAM for his pc. I thought that was weird because he doesn't play games or download unnecessary items on his pc. He just surfs the net.

 

Try programs -> accessories -> system tools -> disk defragmenter (that's the windows 2000 menu, probably not much different in XP though). Takes forever but works.

For spyware, try Spybot Search & Destroy. It installs and sets up easily.

http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html

There are plenty of others out there, and some people use more than one. But try this one and see what comes up - you might be surprised at how much Spyware if finds on your computer.

 

Okay, thanks for all of the suggestions. I will let my dad know.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

 

open "my computer" --> right click on the C: --> properties

there should be a tab at the top called "tools"

click it, and hit the 'defrag now" button

 

Okay, thanks, will I find the adware there, as well?

 

Adaware is an anti-spyware software program which you need to install on your computer in order to use it.

 

checked out spybot and downloading now
have ad aware already
thanks for the info
its amazing what you can learn here
guy

 

Ummm..I tried all of the above suggestions and I'm still getting the low virtual memory message. Any more suggestion would be helpful. Thanks!!

 

Ummm..I tried all of the above suggestions and I'm still getting the low virtual memory message. Any more suggestion would be helpful. Thanks!!

 

Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

check your phisichal memory and compare it to your virtual memory>>your virtual memory should be +/- 1,5 times bigger than your phisichal memory if that is the case and you also have no spy ware than you could try upgrading your system with more memory.

Scanning your memory for errors is also a way to check your memory I use Memtest86+ >>>http://www.memtest.org/

it takes some time but you can check your memory for errors....

 

he should buy more ram anyway coz he only has 128, which really isnt much.