Re: Virtual Memory & NAV 2007

Tech Tip: Click here to run a free scan for Windows Errors and optimize PC performance

marinusw wrote:
I recently installed Norton Anti-virus 2007. Ever since, I am
getting frequent low virtual memory notices. Anyone have an idea
what is up, and what I can do?

Shenan Stanley wrote:
Norton is likely sucking down most of your system resources - as
the home version of Symantec/Norton products are known to do.
As you did not give any other details (processor speed, total
amount of memory, hard disk drive space (total and used), operating
system version and service pack level, etc), it is difficult to
help you further - at least in any specific manner. If you can go
through everything below this point and you still have an issue (it
is given in a suggested order - at least those preceded with a (-)
are) - then come back and respond to this same thread that you
still have the same problem. More than likely someone will tell
you to change Antivirus software (see tip (9) for a list of
free/inexpensive AV software) or maybe even that you have
spyware/adware (see tip (10) on how to check for, eliminate,
immunize against - passively - spyware/adware/malware) - but
altogether, these tips should have your system running cleaner and
better - if you take the time to go through them.
- Backup your system and all installation media (tips (1) and (6)).
- Lessen the number of startup/services you have running (tip (13)).
- Improve your performance by changing to the non-XP look/feel for
the most part (tip (3)).
- Clear and shrink your Internet Explorer Temporary Internet Files
(tip (2)).
- Uninstall unused applications (tip (7)).
- Use Disk Cleanup, Chkdsk and Defrag to clear up space (including
getting rid of all but the last System Restore point) and check
your hard disk drive for issues and move the files to one area of
the drive (tip (11)).
<snipped for brevity, see tips referenced in other locations of this
thread...>

If your problem turns out to be one of "lack of space", then the suggestions
above *do* get you started, but there is more you can do to free up disk
space.

Cleaning up the drive and figuring out what is using all of your
space isn't too hard. Many tools are built right into Windows XP. Some
others may not be. Some default settings may be messing you up and taking
up some of your valuable space.

Find out what might be using the space..

Do you have hidden and system files visible?
How's your system restore settings?
Used Disk Cleanup?
Is hibernate turned on and do you use that feature?
Uninstalled unnecessary applications lately?
Moved things to external media?


Other ways to free up space..

SequoiaView
http://www.win.tue.nl/sequoiaview/

DX Hog Hunt
http://www.dvxp.com/en/Downloads.aspx

JDiskReport
http://www.jgoodies.com/freeware/jdiskreport/index.html

Those can help you visually discover where all the space is being used.


If you are comfortable with the stability of your system, you can delete the
uninstall files for the patches that Windows XP has installed..

http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spack.htm


You can use an application that scans your system for log files and
temporary files and use that to get rid of those:

Ccleaner (Free!)
http://www.ccleaner.com/


You can run Disk Cleanup - built into Windows XP - to erase all but yuor
latest restore point and cleanup even more "loose files"..

How to use Disk Cleanup
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312


You can turn off hibernation if it is on and you don't use it..

When you hibernate your computer, Windows saves the contents of the system's
memory to the hiberfil.sys file. As a result, the size of the hiberfil.sys
file will always equal the amount of physical memory in your system. If you
don't use the hibernate feature and want to recapture the space that Windows
uses for the hiberfil.sys file, perform the following steps:

- Start the Control Panel Power Options applet (go to Start, Settings,
Control Panel, and click Power Options).
- Select the Hibernate tab, clear the "Enable hibernation" check box, then
click OK; although you might think otherwise, selecting Never under the
"System hibernates" option on the Power Schemes tab doesn't delete the
hiberfil.sys file.
- Windows will remove the "System hibernates" option from the Power Schemes
tab and delete the hiberfil.sys file.


You can control how much space your System Restore can use...

1. Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
2. Click the System Restore tab.
3. Highlight one of your drives (or C: if you only have one) and click on
the "Settings" button.
4. Change the percentage of disk space you wish to allow.. I suggest 5% or
higher.
5. Click OK.. Then Click OK again.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html


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