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problems freeing memory

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by Robin B, 2006/06/29.

  1. 2006/06/29
    Robin B

    Robin B Inactive Thread Starter

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    I keep getting popups that I am running out of memory in Windows and the C Drive. I purchased a memory key and moved over 300 MG of pictures from my files to it, yet I am still showing the same free memory as before and still getting the warnings. Why didn't it free up the memory?
     
    Robin B,
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  2. 2006/06/29
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Robin - Welcome to the Board :)

    Do these popups refer to low memory or to low disk space?

    Many people refer - incorrectly - to memory when what they mean is storage capacity or free space on the hard drive.

    Memory is the RAM (Random Access Memory) fitted into your computer generally in the range 256/512 Mb > 1 - 2 Gb plus Virtual Memory which is an area of the hard drive set aside for Windows to use a Virtual Memory when the installed RAM is worked to capacity.

    So would you please post the exact message received in the popup and the amount of free space on your hard drive - and we'll take it from there :)
     
    PeteC,
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  4. 2006/06/29
    Robin B

    Robin B Inactive Thread Starter

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    free space details

    Thanks, Pete C. I am pretty computer illiterate as you can see. The message says low on disk space on the c: drive. Sometimes it says Windows. I had 190 MG free, thought I had freed up 300 MG more by taking my pictures off onto a memory key. This am I freed up to 209 MG by deleting everything I could. As you can tell, its an old computer with only 4 GB of memory, but had been plenty for my needs (mainly email, pedigrees and pics of ECS).
     
    Robin B,
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  5. 2006/06/29
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    OK - I understand - low on disk space :)

    4 Gb is a minuscule drive capacity by today's standards and XP eats up a lot of space. Ideally you should run with 25% free space on the drive - what we need to do is see if more space can be freed up .....

    In Internet Explorer go Tools > Options - Temporary Internet files > Delete Files

    In the same dialogue box click on the settings button and move the slider for amount of disk space to use to the left to set 50 Mb - or type 50 in the box to the right.

    Then right click on My Computer > Properties > System Restore tab - click on the Settings button and move the disk space slider to the left to say 5%

    Then go Start > Run > type in &temp% > OK. The temporary files under your user name in Documents and settings are shown. Sort by 'Date modified' by clicking on the column header - this is a toggle action and you want the most recent at the top. If that column does not show right click on any column header and put a check mark against the Date modified entry on the list.

    Select all files/folders dated prior to today and delete them - they are not required. Those dated today are in use and cannot be deleted.

    Then go, in Windows Explorer to C:\Windows\Temp and do the same.

    I suspect these actions will free up quite a bit of disk space - let me know how much free space you have after doing the above.
     
    PeteC,
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  6. 2006/06/29
    Robin B

    Robin B Inactive Thread Starter

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    wow

    Pete C, you are a genius :) Those actions freed up the disk space to 480 MB. Thanks! Can you explain, tho, to a computer idiot, why moving all my English Cocker pics to the memory key didn't free up the 300 MB of memory they took up? I just don't get computers...
     
    Robin B,
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  7. 2006/06/29
    Bmoore1129

    Bmoore1129 Geek Member

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    Perhaps you only copied the pics rather than moved. Copy does not give you more space. Are the files still showing in the C: drive?
     
    Bmoore1129,
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  8. 2006/06/29
    Robin B

    Robin B Inactive Thread Starter

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    reply

    Thanks, Bill. I think I deleted them - at first when I moved them it kept making backup copies that showed in the MY Pictures folder, then my son showed me how to take off the archive thing, and I highlighted them all and deleted. They aren't showing up in My Pictures anymore but I wonder ... just seems strange it didn't free up that much disk space but then computers might as well be aliens from Planet X as far as I can decipher their workings...
     
    Robin B,
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  9. 2006/06/29
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    One other thing - empty the Recycle Bin - guess your deleted pictures are in there.
     
    PeteC,
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  10. 2006/06/29
    Dennis L Lifetime Subscription

    Dennis L Inactive Alumni

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    When you delete files they are moved to the "Recycle Bin ". After you delete them from "Recycle Bin ", the space will be returned to the hard drive.
     
    Dennis L,
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