Tech stuff.

TANGODANCER · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 11:47 am

Apologies if there's a thread for this; couldn't find it:

Been having a lot of pc problems of late. Had the Security Central nightmare and now have Virgin Media firewall and security etc installed. Big problem now is the speed of my pc. Takes an age to come up and I keep getting messages saying my "Virtual memory is too low". Also keep getting "Internet Explorer is not responding", which mean I have to close down and start over again. Doing my head in and, although I'm reasonably competent at using a computer, I'm lost on the tech stuff. Is this something I can sort out, and if so how?

I can Google explanations, but I'd rather hear it from somebody who can explain dumbo fashion. Anybody help?

Lofthouse Lower · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 11:51 am

If your PC is more than 2 years old then the advice is simple = get a new one.

They don't last forever
They get clogged up with everyday shit

Either that or download 'cccleaner' and run that to get rid of a load of unused crap, which may work. Might not, in which case just buy a new one, if you can.

TANGODANCER · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 11:54 am

Lofthouse Lower wrote:

If your PC is more than 2 years old then the advice is simple = get a new one.

They don't last forever
They get clogged up with everyday shit

Either that or download 'cccleaner' and run that to get rid of a load of unused crap, which may work. Might not, in which case just buy a new one, if you can.

Rather feared somebody might say that. Like me, it's getting on a bit now. I did a defrag and I'll try the cc thing. Cheers.

Worthy4England · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 12:16 pm

You need to try changing you virtual memory size or potentially add a bit more RAM (if possible), before going splashing out on new hardware.

For XP try

Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
In the System Properties dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
In the Performance pane, click Settings.
In the Performance Options dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
In the Virtual memory pane, click Change.
Change the Initial size value and the Maximum size value to a higher value, click Set, and then click OK.
Click OK to close the Performance Options dialog box, and then click OK to close the System Properties dialog box.

If your HDD is crammed full, then nothing can use it for Virtual Memory - so archive some stuff to disc and see if that helps.

In terms of settings for VM - you'd normally look for 1.5 times RAM and 3 times RAM as min/max, but if you have a small amount of RAM try something higher.

General Mannerheim · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 1:00 pm

just kick it. never fails.

Hoboh · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 1:01 pm

Virgin security thingy is crap and slowed my pc/laptop down just ditched it and use AVG in the main

TANGODANCER · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 1:52 pm

Worthy4England wrote:

You need to try changing you virtual memory size or potentially add a bit more RAM (if possible), before going splashing out on new hardware.

For XP try

Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
In the System Properties dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
In the Performance pane, click Settings.
In the Performance Options dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
In the Virtual memory pane, click Change.
Change the Initial size value and the Maximum size value to a higher value, click Set, and then click OK.
Click OK to close the Performance Options dialog box, and then click OK to close the System Properties dialog box.

If your HDD is crammed full, then nothing can use it for Virtual Memory - so archive some stuff to disc and see if that helps.

In terms of settings for VM - you'd normally look for 1.5 times RAM and 3 times RAM as min/max, but if you have a small amount of RAM try something higher.

Thanks muchly for that Worthy. Did all you said, no appreciable difference right now. Where do I look for the VM settings?

Worthy4England · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 2:22 pm

TANGODANCER wrote:

Worthy4England wrote:

You need to try changing you virtual memory size or potentially add a bit more RAM (if possible), before going splashing out on new hardware.

For XP try

Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
In the System Properties dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
In the Performance pane, click Settings.
In the Performance Options dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
In the Virtual memory pane, click Change.
Change the Initial size value and the Maximum size value to a higher value, click Set, and then click OK.
Click OK to close the Performance Options dialog box, and then click OK to close the System Properties dialog box.

If your HDD is crammed full, then nothing can use it for Virtual Memory - so archive some stuff to disc and see if that helps.

In terms of settings for VM - you'd normally look for 1.5 times RAM and 3 times RAM as min/max, but if you have a small amount of RAM try something higher.

Thanks muchly for that Worthy. Did all you said, no appreciable difference right now. Where do I look for the VM settings?

VM settings are in system properties - so My Computer --> System Properties --> Advanced System settings - one of the boxes says performance so click the settings button. This takes you to another dialog box one of the tabs is again called advanced just to make it simple to follow :-)

Look in there and set your virtual memory to 3252 min and 4096 max for now, see if it helps.

You could also run memtest to see how your RAM is functioning. It will let you know if it's functioning well.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Memo ... Test.shtml

jimbo · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 3:01 pm

Don't hoover it.

Wandering Willy · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 3:47 pm

I am not a computer expert a al Worthy but before you go down the buy a new one road it's worth considering doing a reboot to factory settings. essentially you are wiping the disc clean and reinstalling the factory software ie starting from scratch.

There are usually instructions on the manufacturers website/forums on how to do this and it doesn't take long.

You will need to back up all your docs/pictures etc as you are returning the computer to as if you just bought it.

You will also need to re install any additional software you have added to your machine - not the stuff it came with but anything you have bought/installed since you got it eg games/Outlook/Photoshop etc.

This sounds like a pain but you would have to do this if you got a new computer.

I have done this a couple of times with successful outcomes.

Gooner Girl · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 3:50 pm

If you're still having problems PM me Tango. Mr Gooner Girl is a whizz at that sort of thing and could probably connect up to it remotely and sort it.

TANGODANCER · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 4:49 pm

All posts read and many thanks all. At least I have some options now to follow. I'll report progress later.

PS: Worthy, did all you said and your instructions were quite clear. Here's your chance to laugh, I read VM as Virgin Media instead of Virtual Memory, which is why I couldn't find it. What a dimbo. :oops:

thebish · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 5:22 pm

TANGODANCER wrote:

All posts read and many thanks all. At least I have some options now to follow. I'll report progress later.

PS: Worthy, did all you said and your instructions were quite clear. Here's your chance to laugh, I read VM as Virgin Media instead of Virtual Memory, which is why I couldn't find it. What a dimbo. :oops:

Tango in "browsing for virgins on his pc" shocker......

a1 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 25, 2011 12:23 am

TANGODANCER wrote:

Thanks muchly for that Worthy. Did all you said, no appreciable difference right now. Where do I look for the VM settings?

on the control panel > system > advanced > performance > settings > adanced > virtual memory > change

i'd fix the size of the "virtual memory" to 2gb (which'd be 2048MB , or some other fixed number like 1024MB or 512MB) . as the 32bit version of windows carnt use more than 2gb "memory" iirc.

dont used IE AT ALL on XP its not good enough for todaze websites with all the html5 and other buzzwords like AJAX , JAVASCRIPT , etc. chrome seems pretty light. or one of the chrome remakes (!?) if you dont want goOgle spying on you.

:/

TANGODANCER · **Posted:** Sun Jul 03, 2011 8:53 pm

Here's another scam to avoid:

Yesterday I got a phone call from somebody saying they knew I was having pc problems because Windows had asked them to get in touch re a firewall problem. Told me to switch on my pc and they'd sort it out. Talked through the Windows management system, told me I had dozens of viruses and then said they were connecting me to their technician but first I'd have to run a file. Up pops a programme called "Let me in" , 30 days free trial etc. Asked the bloke just what this had to do with Windows and why had he told me it was a no-charge job for them. Bloke then asks me if I want my problems solving or not. I repeat "Are you Windows or not?" Bloke wuffles on again about "just download the file". I cut him off. "Let me in" tuns out to be from an Indian call centre and pure scam. You get a bill for £185. Windows state they will never contact anyone by phone. Barstewards.

a1 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 04, 2011 1:16 am

TANGODANCER wrote:

Here's another scam to avoid:

Yesterday I got a phone call from somebody saying they knew I was having pc problems because Windows had asked them to get in touch re a firewall problem. Told me to switch on my pc and they'd sort it out. Talked through the Windows management system, told me I had dozens of viruses and then said they were connecting me to their technician but first I'd have to run a file. Up pops a programme called "Let me in" , 30 days free trial etc. Asked the bloke just what this had to do with Windows and why had he told me it was a no-charge job for them. Bloke then asks me if I want my problems solving or not. I repeat "Are you Windows or not?" Bloke wuffles on again about "just download the file". I cut him off. "Let me in" tuns out to be from an Indian call centre and pure scam. You get a bill for £185. Windows state they will never contact anyone by phone. Barstewards.

Microsoft , you mean..

just say you run "slackware linux" , that shuts these kinda folk up.

if yr still having virus type / 'firewall keeps getting turned off' style jip run the previously mentioned on your other thread "antimalwarebytes" clears up loadsa crap.

theres a big horrible botnet rootkit style thing doing the rounds recently thats stumping the shit out of these av programs cos it infects the boot record of the hard disk (which is pretty retro) kinda meaning it loads before winders does.

its a bastard to shift. :cry:

i think you need to run a specific stand alone tool to shift it.

dual boot with ubuntu or summat For The Win.

TANGODANCER · **Posted:** Wed Oct 19, 2011 11:43 am

Scammers are at it again. Had three phone calls this last week from "Windows Maintenance Department" about fictitious viruses in my pc. ( Last time it was "Windows Service Centre". Neither have anything to do withMicrosoft. Guy called "Alan" with a distinct Asian accent. Just put the phone down, can't be bothered listening as I got caught once back a while. It's a blatant scam so don't fall for it.

Worthy4England · **Posted:** Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:16 pm

TANGODANCER wrote:

Scammers are at it again. Had three phone calls this last week from "Windows Maintenance Department" about fictitious viruses in my pc. ( Last time it was "Windows Service Centre". Neither have anything to do withMicrosoft. Guy called "Alan" with a distinct Asian accent. Just put the phone down, can't be bothered listening as I got caught once back a while. It's a blatant scam so don't fall for it.

Yeah, I've been getting a number of them a day. Three in one day. When I have the time, I ask them lots of questions such as what files are slowing my PC down etc. etc. see how long I can keep them on for, then tell them to feck off.

When I don't have time, I just tell them to feck off.

Prufrock · **Posted:** Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:21 pm

I had one on for 20mins explaining how to open the start menu. That was fun. I had free time in those days...

Zulus Thousand of em · **Posted:** Wed Oct 19, 2011 7:12 pm

I just told one to feck off - in the first fifteen seconds of the call. Mind you, I'm a bit tetchy today.

Tech stuff.

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