| When you hear people talk about System Resources | | | | In Windows XP you can display resources in use via |
| you may wonder what the term means. Is it | | | | the Task Manager, to access this press: |
| Techno-speak that only Computer experts | | | | Ctrl+Alt+Delete together. Click the 'Applications' tab this |
| understand? No. When you come right down to it, | | | | will show if any programs are running and how much |
| System Resources, is Memory or RAM. When your | | | | CPU usage they are using. If a program is running and |
| Computer is using System Resources, it is basically | | | | you don't want it to run, providing it isn't your Anti-Virus |
| Windows using memory for Graphics, fonts, icons, | | | | program, you can click to highlight the program and |
| open windows and open programs. As you run | | | | then click on 'End Process'. If everything is ok here, |
| programs they all use resources, some more than | | | | click on the Process tab, if you have no open |
| others. Microsoft Office, for example, will claim a whole | | | | programs the CPU column should show 00 on every |
| load of memory, if it needs it or not, as soon as you | | | | line except the very last one - System Idle Process. It |
| open the program. If your computer doesn't have | | | | is normal for this to show 99, anything else showing a |
| enough resources to run all these programs and all | | | | high value other than your Anti-Virus program which |
| your other daily tasks, it can stop working. | | | | may be running a scan in the background, may mean |
| Before things get to this stage, Windows will probably | | | | a memory leak and can be stopped by again |
| issue some warnings to notify you that your Memory | | | | highlighting the process and then clicking 'End Process'. |
| is low. The other thing you will notice is your Computer | | | | If this action causes any adverse side-effects, simply |
| will be running slow. When you try to open a program | | | | re-start your computer. |
| it will be slow to appear or may not respond at all. | | | | All programs use resources, so it's a good idea to |
| Your Computer uses Random Access Memory | | | | uninstall programs you no longer use. Go to Control |
| (RAM) and Virtual Memory for its resources. Windows | | | | Panel - Add/Remove. Look for any programs you no |
| uses Virtual Memory to supplement RAM if there isn't | | | | longer intend to use and uninstall them. However, if |
| enough available. Problems occur when your | | | | your PC came with some programs, including games, |
| Computer runs out of RAM and virtual memory is low. | | | | pre-installed, even if you don't use them and never |
| Virtual memory settings can be changed manually. | | | | intend to use them, do not uninstall these. They may |
| Try running fewer programs at the same time to help | | | | share files with other programs you do use. So only |
| low memory issues. Even consider disabling some | | | | uninstall programs you have installed.The number one |
| background programs or at least prevent then from | | | | 'Fix' for low resources is of course: Install more RAM |
| automatically running when you start Windows. You | | | | to your computer. To see how much RAM you have |
| will still be able to access these through your 'Start' | | | | simply open 'Control Panel' and double-click 'System'. |
| button menu. Recently I had a computer in for slow | | | | The first page you see should have your CPU and |
| performance, I soon discovered the reason. A very | | | | RAM information. Check the documents that came |
| good and popular Media program was using 95% of | | | | with your PC or contact the computer manufacturer |
| the system resources, and it wasn't even in use. It was | | | | for details of what type of Memory and how much |
| running in the background. I simply removed this | | | | extra memory you're Motherboard will take. Some |
| program from the start menu, the difference was | | | | on-line memory companies, can scan your Computer |
| amazing. This Guys computer is now as fast as... | | | | for you to determine this information. |