Overworked PC
The dreaded “Out of Memory” error is relatively easy to fix when you’re talking storage (short-term solution: delete a file; long-term solution: buy a new hard drive). But when it comes to the other kind of memory, also known as RAM (random-access memory) that’s the internal kind of memory your computing device uses things can get a little bit more complicated.
Are you running your machines ragged? OK, there’s no evidence that an insufficient amount of memory will hurt your hardware at least none that I’ve seen. But you could be running yourself ragged (and compromising your company’s productivity) by ignoring a memory-deficiency within your own organization.
So how do you prevent the dreaded error message from putting a crunch on your profits? Here are three tips.
1. Know how much memory your devices need to begin with. Your PC needs at least 256 megabytes (MB), but 512 MB is preferable. A small-business server should have 512 MB, but I’ve spoken with memory experts who say they’re much more comfortable with 2 GB, or 2,048 MB. Tablet PCs being used by a small business should have at least 512 MB. For smaller mobile devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) or cell phones, a starting point is a 1 GB flash card.
Not sure how much memory you have? Here’s more advice on troubleshooting your PCs’ system memory and optimizing your machine’s performance in Windows XP.
2. Be looking for warning signs. Don’t wait for an error message. A PC or PDA will let you know when memory is in short supply long before it starts screaming at you. Obviously, the machine will begin running slower. Frequent freezes or system failures could also be harbingers of a coming memory crisis.
Don’t assume that you need more memory (although you most likely do). Sometimes, your existing RAM is faulty. You’ll probably get a Stop 0x2E error here’s more on that. Then it isn’t so much a matter of adding new memory, but rather fixing the existing RAM.
3. Manage your tasks. As you add applications to your computing device, its memory requirements change. For example, on a Windows XP workstation running basic applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and financial software, 512 MB might be sufficient. But, says Jay Greenwald, president of NerdE-Solutions, a Denver computer-support company for small businesses, all that changes when you add jobs. “Adding graphics programs or accounting software, and you’re talking [about adding] 768 MB or 1 GB,” he says.
How much memory are the applications on your PC using? Ctrl+ALT+Delete will pull up the Windows Task Manager in Windows XP. Click on the Processes tab and scroll to the right to see “Mem Usage.” The more processes, the more memory is being used. Gauge your memory accordingly. (Here’s more information on the Windows Task Manager.)
Are you running your machines ragged? OK, there’s no evidence that an insufficient amount of memory will hurt your hardware at least none that I’ve seen. But you could be running yourself ragged (and compromising your company’s productivity) by ignoring a memory-deficiency within your own organization.
So how do you prevent the dreaded error message from putting a crunch on your profits? Here are three tips.
1. Know how much memory your devices need to begin with. Your PC needs at least 256 megabytes (MB), but 512 MB is preferable. A small-business server should have 512 MB, but I’ve spoken with memory experts who say they’re much more comfortable with 2 GB, or 2,048 MB. Tablet PCs being used by a small business should have at least 512 MB. For smaller mobile devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) or cell phones, a starting point is a 1 GB flash card.
Not sure how much memory you have? Here’s more advice on troubleshooting your PCs’ system memory and optimizing your machine’s performance in Windows XP.
2. Be looking for warning signs. Don’t wait for an error message. A PC or PDA will let you know when memory is in short supply long before it starts screaming at you. Obviously, the machine will begin running slower. Frequent freezes or system failures could also be harbingers of a coming memory crisis.
Don’t assume that you need more memory (although you most likely do). Sometimes, your existing RAM is faulty. You’ll probably get a Stop 0x2E error here’s more on that. Then it isn’t so much a matter of adding new memory, but rather fixing the existing RAM.
3. Manage your tasks. As you add applications to your computing device, its memory requirements change. For example, on a Windows XP workstation running basic applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and financial software, 512 MB might be sufficient. But, says Jay Greenwald, president of NerdE-Solutions, a Denver computer-support company for small businesses, all that changes when you add jobs. “Adding graphics programs or accounting software, and you’re talking [about adding] 768 MB or 1 GB,” he says.
How much memory are the applications on your PC using? Ctrl+ALT+Delete will pull up the Windows Task Manager in Windows XP. Click on the Processes tab and scroll to the right to see “Mem Usage.” The more processes, the more memory is being used. Gauge your memory accordingly. (Here’s more information on the Windows Task Manager.)
Comments
Post a Comment