[PMD1969]

Defragging your computer is a necessary process even more for over bombarded computers today. Tons of bits or info gets placed on the hard drive making it much slower to react and will wear it out faster. To improve the speed and function of your hard drive you'll need to "defrag" it. It is much like listening to a vinyl record. It will play much quicker and with less work when the needle starts from the beginning and plays to the end as opposed to manually listening to each song in a random order.

Here is an excellent program that defrags automatically and will work (although slower) while you work.

Disclaimer: Use this at your won risk but it is very safe and easy to use.

http://www.filehippo.com/download_defraggler/

[Ollie]

Do not need to down load another defrag program. There is a defrag program in Windows. Can be scheduled to run at any time.

[PMD1969]

Originally Posted by Ollie

Do not need to down load another defrag program. There is a defrag program in Windows. Can be scheduled to run at any time.

Correct. I help my family run their computers and they found this program easier to use and its free.

[GT182]

Ollie, the one in Windows is not the best to use. I've run it and then run another right after. The second one I had from IObit found more defragged bits than Window's defragger did. IObit was supposed to be free but in the end it kept freezing up on me, so I chucked it out the Windows.

[Bluesugar]

I have often wondered where it all goes?,...you know,..when you delete into hyperspace or whatever?,..Now Iran is a cyberspace threat?,...I'm glad that I still have points in my you know what, so I can get to who knows where!!

[andyg]

Solid state here so no defrag needed, but I have found the windows one to work fine. Also, defragging is not needed very often unless you tend to add/remove programs with regular frequency. Internet usage and general basic file creation don't see a huge problem with fragmentation.

[cuz68]

I use smart de*** 2, works well for me.

[Greg Reid]

I just downloaded it. It's running right now. We'll see how it works.
I frequently get messages on my machine that 'virtual memory' is low...will defragging help with that?

[MikeNoun]

Greg, one of the things that would help a "low memory" problem, and it's very cheap, is to plug in your memory stick, or thumb drive, into your USB port. If you don't have one, they're extremely cheap. You can pick these up in the checkout lanes of many retail stores, an 8GB stick is as cheap as $10.

When the memory stick is plugged in, you should see a window appear, asking you what you want to do with the new device that was found (Import Pictures, Open Folder, etc.).

One of the options is to use the device as Ready Boost. By selecting that, your PC will use the memory stick as cache, and may significantly speed up your computer.

The downside is that if you remove the memory stick, your PC goes back to normal.

I usually leave a memory stick in my laptop, and take it out when I transport it, just to prevent any accidental breakage of the memory stick or the USB port.

It's helped speed up several problem computers at my place. It's a temp stop-gap thing, but it works.

[PMD1969]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

I just downloaded it. It's running right now. We'll see how it works.
I frequently get messages on my machine that 'virtual memory' is low...will defragging help with that?

For virtual memory you'll need to go into that area to increase the amount that your computer needs. AT the bottom of the page type in virtual memory and press search. It should take you to the page where you can increase the amount.

[Greg Reid]

Mike, I have a memory stick or two around here. Wasn't aware that I could do anything with it other than store pics, docs, yada, yada. Good to know.

AT the bottom of the page type in virtual memory

Marc,
I'm a computer dummy and this may be a dumb question...but what page?

[PMD1969]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

Mike, I have a memory stick or two around here. Wasn't aware that I could do anything with it other than store pics, docs, yada, yada. Good to know.


Marc,
I'm a computer dummy and this may be a dumb question...but what page?

I should have explained it better.

At the bottom left corner click the start button and there will be an empty space that you'll type in "virtual memory". A list of help documents will show up that will take you to the pages that will instruct you how to do it. Each OS is a little different so doing it this way is sort of generic.

If you still cannot find it send me an IM and I will help you out after dinner.

[wytnyt]

i just added 256 gig ssd's to my 4 computers,worth every penny spent
i love the 30 sec and less boot time

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by PMD1969

I should have explained it better.

At the bottom left corner click the start button and there will be an empty space that you'll type in "virtual memory". A list of help documents will show up that will take you to the pages that will instruct you how to do it. Each OS is a little different so doing it this way is sort of generic.

If you still cannot find it send me an IM and I will help you out after dinner.

I must be running a different operating system than you. There's no empty space.
I've actually googled it before but got lost in the terminology. I'll get it done eventually.

[Greg Reid]

I found some help here- http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_can...n_windows.html

[PMD1969]

Change the size of virtual memory

If you receive warnings that your virtual memory is low, you'll need to increase the minimum size of your paging file. Windows sets the initial minimum size of the paging file equal to the amount of random access memory (RAM) installed on your computer, and the maximum size equal to three times the amount of RAM installed on your computer. If you see warnings at these recommended levels, then increase the minimum and maximum sizes.

Click to open System.

In the left pane, click Advanced system settings. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.

Click the Advanced tab, and then, under Virtual memory, click Change.

Clear the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box.

Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging file you want to change.

Click Custom size, type a new size in megabytes in the Initial size (MB) or Maximum size (MB) box, click Set, and then click OK.

Note
Increases in size usually don't require a restart for the changes to take effect, but if you decrease the size, you'll need to restart your computer. We recommend that you don't disable or delete the paging file.

[Ollie]

Type Virtual Memory where it says Search Programs and files.

[Greg Reid]

I'm running Windows XP. I don't see anything like that. Like I said though, I'm a computer dummy.
The only thing I know how to find mentioned anywhere in the last two posts is 'Control Panel'.
No worries though as it's not a big problem. I just see it occasionally.

[PMD1969]

1.Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2.Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.
3.On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.
4.Under Virtual memory, click Change.
5.Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging file that you want to change. In most computers its C:
6.Under Paging file size for selected drive, click to Custom size check box. You can enter the amount of memory you would like to reserve for Virtual memory by entering the initial and maximum size.
7.Click Set

Hot tip: Keep the initial and maximum size the same to cut down on your CPU access. This will stop your CPU from constantly change your Virtual memory paging size. Also set the size 1.5 times higher than your physical memory.

[Greg Reid]

There is no 'Performance and Maintenance' icon in my Control Panel. I know it's here, I just have to find out where it's hidden, then I'll follow your steps.
I did run through the steps in the link that I posted above and turned off 'teatimer.exe'. Would that not help with my occasional problem? The other thing that was using the most (by far) virtual memory is Firefox.