Lesson Three - How To Increase More Memory

MIDDLE EAST REGION

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

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Lesson 3

HOW TO INCREASE MORE MEMORY

Today I would like to share an insider's secret and present you with:

How to increase more memory

One of the key things to making any PC run faster is making sure it hasa sufficient amount of RAM installed. RAM allows the system more temporary space to load files, making it multi-task more efficiently.

Therefore, one of the best ways to speed up your PC is to add a stick or two of RAM to the motherboard.

Unfortunately, RAM can be expensive and should in no event be installed by anything less than an experienced computer tech.

But there is a way that any user can seemingly "increase" their system's RAM, and this is called "Virtual Memory".

Virtual Memory is the process used by Windows to create a file on thehard-drive which can be used to read/write data much like normal RAM does. So, basically, it uses a chunk of your hard-drive to act as a stick of RAM.

Unfortunately, RAM can be expensive and should in no event be installed by anything less than an experienced computer tech. But there is a way that any user can seemingly "increase" their system's RAM, and this is called "Virtual Memory". Virtual Memory is the process used by Windows to create a file on the hard-drive which can be used to read/write data much like normal RAM does. So, basically, it uses a chunk of your hard-drive to act as a stick of RAM.

The first thing we need to find out is how much physical RAM you already have, to make the best use of the Virtual Memory feature. We need to open up the "System Properties" window, which will display some quick info regarding our RAM. Hold the Start key and press the Pause/Break key to open this window.

window1

Step 2: At the bottom of the text, we can see it says "384 MB of RAM" it will likely be different on your PC. Remember that number, and let's go to the Virtual Memory settings. Click the "Advanced" tab.

window2

Step 3: Now, under the "Performance" heading, select the "Settings"button.

window3

Step 4: And select the "Advanced" tab on the "Performance Options" window.

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Step 5: At the bottom of this pane, you see the Virtual Memory status. Right now, it's been set at only 192 MB. This is quite low, so to change it, select the "Change" button.

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Step 6: Make sure "Custom size" is the selected option, and then change the "Initial size" and "Maximum size" numbers. What numbers should you use? The most widely recommended formula is to have 1.5 times the amount of physical RAM available for Virtual Memory. In the case of the screenshot below, since we have 384 MB of RAM, 384 x 1.5 = 576, so that is what has been entered. Also, to prevent fragmenting (which will slow down the system), set both the Initial and Maximum sizes to be equal. This creates a static-sized page file (Virtual Memory).

Now that you have your desired settings entered, hit "Set" to apply the changes.

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And now you have customized your Virtual Memory settings. Close any open windows, and enjoy the enhanced performance!

Major Jane Raymond USAFA

MER/IT

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