Not Enough Memory/Low Memory

Question

I use AOL as my ISP, and if i'm playing pool on-line in Yahoo games after a while if I try to open another internet page I get the message" The operation could not be completed due to low memory or hard disk drive space. Please close one or more windows, then try again." The problems is I can't close any windows because the PC then freezes. If I try to open another programme I get the message "There is not enough free memory to run this program. Quit one or more programs, and then try again."

To resolve this I have tried the following:

Reduce the number of programms that start on start--up.
Defrag the PC regularly.
Use Norton 2002 internet virus scanner etc.
Bought a FreeMemPro programme to free up the memory (that doesn't work!).
Regularly delete temp files.
I have a Dell Dimensions XPS B800r with800 mghz proceesor and 128MB ram. Can someone please help. I am ready to throw my PC out of the window!

THANKS!

bturpin111 · Answer

It sounds like you have a pretty full harddrive with limited free space. 128 physical memory should handle almost any thing. But the virtual memory should be no less than 2 1/2 times the physical memory size. This of course will depend ob what the free space is on your harddrive.

I would start with freeing up as much free space on your hard drive. Do a Defrag. Go into the system settings and see what the current settings are. If there is not at least 2 1/2x the memory size then change it. restart the PC and that should end your problems.

BTurpin111@aol.com

Dimension 4300
P4 1.6
512MB

bturpin111 · Answer

Memories...... I think the last time I worked on config files were back on Win95. I haven't had to got into thos files ever sense. I found Win98, ME
You just reminded me of the good old day's where tech support was non exsistant and one had to play in dagerous area's to fix things.

BTurpin111@aol.com

Dimension 4300
P4 1.6
512MB

AlanKS · Answer

1st reply is a good starting point, you don't say what OS you have so the folowing suggestion is only good for Windows9x.

Rename your existing config.sys and autoexec.bat.
DON'T DELETE THEM.

Create a new file in notepad and enter the following lines.

Device=c:\windows\himem.sys
Device=c:\windows\emm386.exe noems
Dos=high,umb

Save it to the root directory and rename it as config.sys

You will still have the old files so you can go back to the original config when you want. Restart the computer.

The low memory message on its own is often assumed to mean the whole system memory when it may be referring to a specific dos area called base memory. Renaming the old files will stop anything loading into base and the new config.sys will give you the maximum capacity in that base area. Good windows programs should not be dependant on loading these files(Windows ME even ignores them if they exist) so you should be able to run some of the apps that are giving you this problem.

If this appears to resolve it copy these lines that don't already exist into your old files and rename them back to the original name. If the problem returns work through each of the lines putting "REM" (without the quotes) at the beginning of the line one at a time. "REM" stops that individual line loading

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Not Enough Memory/Low Memory

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