Take your RAM by the horns

Tired of your computer bullying you by sending you those annoying little messages telling you it may go on strike since its resources are getting "dangerously" low?

Well, don't be intimidated. You are STILL in control!

What it is telling you, is that it cannot find enough RAM to complete the tasks you are assigning it.

First of all, you must have a good understanding of what RAM is. RAM stands for Random Access Memory, more affectionately known as Temporary Memory. (For all of us Tech-ese illiterates.)

Basically, it is what your Puter "thinks" with as it works. Nothing is stored here. (That's the job for your Hard Drive.) When you hit a button and give your Puter a task to work on, it stores the necessary information it needs in RAM in order to complete the task. When you tell your Puter to do more than this memory can handle, you get that message: Low on resources".

Various systems have different amounts of RAM, which is measured in MegaBytes. On most current systems, 64 MB is the minimum amount you should probably have to run things smoothly. The recommended amount would be 128 MB RAM. If you keep getting these nasty messages, the first thing you need to do is find out just how much RAM you have to work with.

You can get this information, by clicking your "Start" button, "Settings", "Control Panel", "System". Here you will find the version of Windows you have, the manufacturer, type of processor and the amount of RAM.

The next thing you will want to investigate is just how many of your programs are fighting for your precious RAM, There are many programs that are set to run at start-up that have no business being there, so to speak.

You can check this by clicking Start/Run.

In the little window that comes up, type "msconfig" . (without the quotes)

This will open the System Configuration Window. Click the tab that says "StartUp". Everything with a checkmark beside it is a program that is running constantly, using valuable resources, or RAM. You can uncheck boxes for programs you don't need to have running. Some examples of unnecessary ones are RealTray, Winamp or various other audio programs.

Don't worry, you're not deleting anything. You are just telling it not to run every time you start your Puter.

You do need to be careful, though. There are a small number of programs that are NECESSARY to run all the time. Systray and your Virus Protection Programs, and Explorer are basic.

Need some help getting over your intimidation? Write us with a list of what is running on your puter, and we can tell you which ones you can uncheck.

Send that email here: mailto:mentor@makemoneyhowto.com/?subject=msconfig

OK, now you have checked out the basics. And you're still getting sassed by your puter about the low resources? You have a couple of options.

Install more RAM. Actually this is not that hard to do, but explaining the process would be another complete article! Install RamBooster. This is a FREE program that someone designed and is sharing with others just to be nice! RamBooster also takes up a small amount of your RAM, running constantly on your puter, but monitors the resources being used, and makes adjustments to your resources to free up RAM that is being wasted. Get it here: http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/stories/info/0,10615,45600,00.html

One more thing. If you just want to know how much RAM your puter is using at any specific time, depending on what version of Windows you are running, you can open your Resources Meter.

Click Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Resource Meter.

(If you install RamBooster, it has a window that does this also.)

Remember, like we keep telling you, contrary to how it seems, your puter does NOT have a mind of its own! It really cannot make a move unless it is instructed to do so, in one way or another. Yes, many of its "moves" were already set into motion when you became its owner. But,you can learn how to take control, and become confident in giving it orders.

There is really no need to be intimidated by it!

We are always willing to answer any of your questions. We're just an email away by visiting our site below!

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Author Notes:

Gail Hornback and Michael Smith contributes and publishes news editorial to http://cmymtc.com. Check out their recently released ELearning Study Guide.