Trying to finish a task, like saving a final version of a PDF file or something similar, is not fun when you come across an “out of memory” error.  In order to keep from seeing the “out of memory” error and keep your programs functioning efficiently, follow a few of our guidelines.

Memories…  When You Run out of Memory

There are various types of memories–physical memory, random-access memory, and virtual memory–which all work together to store your data and allow you to access it.  The physical memory stores your files, the random-access memory (RAM) helps you retrieve what you need quickly, and the virtual memory, a quirky combination of RAM and physical memory, extends the amount of RAM you have into the physical kind to allow you to run more and bigger programs.

In order to stay on top of how much memory you need, you can do a few things to monitor the amount you are using.  First, if your machine is running more slowly than it used to, Microsoft says this can be a tip-off that you are getting low on space.  Also, that CTRL-ALT-DEL combo will bring up Windows Task Manager, which will show you how much memory you’re using with any given combination of programs.

Types of Memory Errors and What to Do

Various scenarios can trigger an “out of memory” error.  It might be that you have simply used up what you have, in which case, the easy solution is to get more.  This may be in the form of physical disk space (install another hard drive?) or allowing more RAM space on your disk (which can be configured).

Sometimes an “out of memory” error really means you have too much of one type of memory.  If your machine is set to have too much RAM, then not enough virtual memory will be available for larger tasks like saving files to the physical memory.  For a detailed instructions to reconfigure this, search the Microsoft Support Center.  But be warned, it involves editing the registry–make sure you’ve backed up the registry first.

So You Think You Have a Memory Error

It may be that the signs you’re noticing are not really “out of memory” errors after all.  Unless you actually have had an “out of memory” error message occur on your PC, it may be that the slowness you are experiencing is actually a symptom of registry errors lurking on your machine.

Since no tools are included with your PC to clean out the registry, it holds onto old data and errors until you do something about it, which slows the computer down.  Run a registry cleaner to fix the “out of memory” error and remove computer slowness.

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Just like your car, you computer needs regular maintenance to work optimally.  A computer tune up is a process you should run from time to time to ensure that your PC works the way you want it to.

The process is pretty easy to follow but takes a great deal of time; therefore it is best to save a proper tune up for a day when you won’t need to use the computer for several hours.

Backing up the PC

If you have never run a back up on your system, this is the time.  Ideally you should be backing up your data daily, but most people don’t.  To run a back up go to the Start menu, select All Programs, Accessories, System Tools and then Back Up.  For an initial back up select All Information on this Computer and stand by to change out CDs as needed.

Cleaning and Tuning Your Computer

There are several scans you want to run at this point.  First check the hard drive for errors by going to Start, My Computer and right click on the volume you want scanned.  Select Properties, then Tools and finally, Check Now.  Opt for both types of scan.

When that is complete defragment the drive.  Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Defragmenter.  This will bring together all the little bits of files scattered around your drive and place them near one another.  This reduces retrieval time.

Run a virus scan.  Removing any malware, spyware and other trash will also help speed up your PC.  Finally, remove any old programs you no longer use and old restore points that your computer is hording in the system.

Finish up by running another back up and rebooting the system.

Registry Cleaner Instead
If all this seems time consuming, it is.  It is much simpler to run a registry cleaner and have it take care of errors in the operating system registry instead.  Truly these two functions are complimentary, but a registry cleaner is much faster and can be run more frequently; a computer tune up – light, if you will.  Download a good registry cleaner to keep your PC optimized when you don’t have time to run a full level clean up.

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Computer freezes occur for numerous reasons.  Sometimes a glitch in the software will trigger one.  Other times it is an incompatibility between the particular software pack you have and the driver required by some of your hardware.

Overheating is another common cause for a computer to freeze. Some of these issues can be addressed easily at home, others require some professional help.

Overheating PCs and laptops.

Perhaps the most common and easiest problem to fix is that of an overheating computer.  Over time the vent situated above the fan can get blocked with dust, hair and debris.  The fan, which works constantly, gets worn and it just doesn’t work as well.

The result is a computer that gets too warm.  When that happens, the machine will shut down automatically to prevent damage to the internal components.

This is a fairly straightforward repair.  First open up your computer and find the fan and watch it run.  If you see it struggling or moving erratically it is time to replace it.

It should be simple to remove.  Clean the vents around fan and dust out the entire unit, gently.  Take the fan to a store and get a replacement and install it.  Close the box.  The overheating issue should be resolved.

Incompatibility
When you have run through virus scans, system checks and scanned your disc and still come up with nothing specific you are likely dealing with an incompatibility between some installed hardware and the OS.

Even if you feel up to switching out boards on your own, the difficulty usually lies in figuring out which part needs to be replaced.  For this I recommend finding a good computer technician and asking them to figure out where the difficulty lies.  You can still opt to do the switch yourself once you know what to swap out.

Registry Cleaners
Sometimes the problem is deep within the operating system.  Files that have been corrupted or deleted cause your computer consternation and it can’t seem to move beyond its current position.  If this is the case a good registry cleaner should be able to end computer freezes and get your PC back to normal.  Designed to clean up most errors in the OS a registry cleaner is a quick, efficient way to get your computer running error free.

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When your computer starts throwing regular errors, slowing down, or freezing up, it is time to check system files for problems.  Fortunately, Windows XP has a built in utility that can do just that.

A relatively simple process, you can usually run the scan in less than an hour and end up with a restored operating system.  Another great option is running a registry cleaner.

System File Check

This utility is accessed by clicking on the Start button.  Click on Run and type sfc /scannow.  Note that there is a space between sfc and /scannow.  Click ok and just sit back and relax.

This will take a bit less than an hour so if you have something else to do, go ahead.  When you return your computer should have replaced any missing files, repaired those that are damaged and be ready for a reboot.

Sometimes you will find that your computer wants the installation disc.  This is problematic because they are rarely sent out any more.  You can usually find a copy of all the files you need on the I386 folder on your hard drive.  Otherwise you will need to go to your local computer store and request a copy of the CD to complete the scan.

Registry Cleaner

The registry is the part of the operating system that keeps everything in order and running smoothly.  It keeps track of all your settings and installed programs.  If it has problems you computer has problems.

Fortunately you can download a good registry cleaner and in a matter of minutes be running clean and fast.  The registry cleaner will check system files, fix errors, replace missing files and remove cookies and temporary files that are slowing down your machine.  Certainly it is possible to do all this yourself, but it is time consuming and nerve wracking.  Removing the wrong file in your registry leaves you with a very expensive paper weight!  Quick and simple a registry cleaner is a great way to go.

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You may have recently changed a piece of hardware in your system or added a new program, and suddenly you are having problems with your video.  The most likely source of the problems is the video device drivers.  These little programs act as interpreters between your hardware and the computer’s operating system and the smallest thing can get in their way.

If you suspect you have an incompatibility with the drivers, you need to find the company website for the product you added.  For example, if you added a new video card, go to their website.  If you added a printer, you go to that company website.  Search for device drivers to download that match your system’s parameters.

Downloading New Video Device Drivers
If the company is a good one, it will run (with your permission) a quick scan of your machine and figure out on its own which driver is most appropriate to your computer.  You can do this yourself, but you need to know which version of the operating system you are running and whether or not you have made any changes to the system since you bought it.

Either way, you, or the company, will select a driver to replace what you have.  From here, it is usually a matter of selecting the download and accepting the End User agreement.  Your computer will download the program and a wizard will walk you through initiating the driver.  You will likely need to reboot the system.

What if Downloading a New Video Device Driver Fails?
Another option, especially for the less computer-savvy is to download a good registry cleaner.  The purpose of a registry cleaner is to dive into the operating system and clean up bits of old programs, fix gaps and errors, and in general optimize the machine so it works faster and better.  The process only takes a couple of minutes.  Fix more than just the video device drivers and bring your machine up to speed in the easiest way possible.

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I’m sure many of you would want to start 2009 with a clean slate. May I then suggest that you start the new year with a clean and secure PC. There are many ways by which you could accomplish this.

Delete Unnecessary Files

If you’ve worked and traveled a lot last year, then your desktop or laptop may be filled with pieces of evidence of your industriousness and restlessness.  The proofs that I’m referring to are the countless files that you’ve saved and sent to your boss, and the equally innumerable multimedia files that you’ve compiled during your weekend getaways.

If you do not intend to open or access these files anymore at the start of the first working day of 2009, then I suggest that you either delete them or transfer them to an external hard drive. Delete old files that you don’t use or need anymore. While they may take up only a few kilobytes of your enormous hard drive, they can still slow your computer down. You’ll feel their weight during system scans or when you conduct an automatic search of files or programs on your computer. Search engines will scour every data on your hard drive, including ones that you’ve already forgotten. Hence, the more files you have on your hard drive, the longer the searches and scans will take.

Reformat Your Hard Drive

If you really want to forget any memory of last year, then you might want to consider performing the ultimate purge by reformatting your hard drive. While this would surely eliminate any malware residing in your primary storage device, your hopes for a virus-free new year would largely depend, though, on the data that you would reintroduce to your computer. Make sure that the storage device which contains your backup files is free from viruses and spyware. You may have unintentionally backed up copies of some or all of the malware that were saved in your hard drive.

Clean Your Registry

Whether you choose to perform a selective purge or nuke everything in your hard drive, your PC’s performance might still not improve if you have an infected Windows Registry. Everything that runs on your computer almost always involves or requires the participation of the Registry. It’s therefore imperative to keep the Registry free from the influence and control of any malicious application. A healthy Registry can efficiently manage the flow of traffic inside your computer. An infected or defective Registry, though, could clog your system with needless instructions or processes, thereby putting a strain on your computer’s resources.

Invest in a good registry cleaner. While you may have an efficient antivirus program, it’s not designed to handle Registry infections or problems. If you’ve experienced a system slowdown last year despite negative reports by your antivirus or anti-sypware software, then your Registry might be the culprit. RegCure can free your new year from the ghosts of the previous one. Start your new year right. Install all the essential programs and delete the unnecessary ones.

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How many times have Windows crashed on you? I bet it’s twice the digits of your favorite basketball player’s jersey number. While Microsoft futilely denies it, their operating systems are prone to seizures, leaving the user helpless and dumbfounded during attacks or glitches.

However, to its credit, Redmond is continuously trying to avoid painting your screen blue whenever its OS stumbles upon something that makes it cough. Patches are regularly issued, while malicious software removal tools are being shipped with the updates.

What Microsoft isn’t directly addressing, though, is its operating system’s inability to flush out the remains of outdated or deleted programs in the registry. The program’s ineptness to deal with the problem has caused it to sometimes carry bricks when the actual load should only be pebbles.

This is the reason why RegCure is essential. It fills in the holes left open by Microsoft. The fact that the registry is a very vital organ in your system makes a registry cleaner indispensable. With RegCure installed, you could ensure that the featured cartoon in this post remains funny.

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In this age where dial-up is already extinct and 1Mbps is considered as just a trickle, one would definitely be up in arms if his Internet connection chokes or coughs up kbps phlegm. An uprising is definitely in place considering that Internet Service Providers are now promising 20-foot waves whenever you surf the Net using their surfboards.

While many ISPs are notorious for exaggerating their connection speeds, they are not actually the usual suspects when your bandwidth slims down to a needle thread. Indeed, they wouldn’t dare you into jamming their customer service phone lines by scrimping you on your broadband diet.

Surfing With Malware

Not every slow browse is caused by greedy ISPs, though. Most of the time, the problem lies in your PC. If you haven’t invested in an antivirus program or in a registry cleaner, such as RegCure, then chances are is that your Web browser is being choked by malware. Malware is considered to be one of the major causes, if not the primary cause, of slow browse. If your ISP insists that the problem is not at their end, then you could bet your modem that it is coming from yours. Fortunately for you, slow Web browsing caused by malware could easily be spiked up by simply running your antivirus and registry cleaner. Those programs easily fix slow browses in a jiffy by ridding your browser of its excess baggage.

Update Your Browser

If your PC is as clean as a sterile gauze and your ISP insists that it is providing you with tsunami waves to surf on, then your problem probably lies on your Web surfboard. Faulty browsers could definitely make Web surfing a drag. Visit Microsoft or Firefox’s Web sites and see if they already have a new version. Check for patches, too, as browsers with too many holes are susceptible to malware attacks. We all know what those malicious software could do, so be diligent in searching for updates.

Unplug Your Plug-ins

If you could still finish singing Beyonce’s latest single while waiting for a Web site to completely load up or appear on your screen, then your browser might have some problems with its plug-ins. Plug-ins are small applications that enhances programs by adding functions or features to it. Many of these programs are made for browsers. They’re definitely welcome add-ons to Internet Explorer or Firefox. However, faulty plug-ins could also slow down your browser. The best way to know if this is your slow browse culprit is by disabling your add-ons or by choosing to open a version or copy of your browser that has no cosmetics on it. You could do this in IE 7 by clicking Start • All Programs • Accessories • System Tools • Internet Explorer (No Add-ons). If you’re using firefox, just click on Tools • Add-ons, then disable the items listed as your browser’s plug-ins.

Before you call up your ISP and complain that your DSL or wireless Internet connection is acting up like a dial-up, check your bandwidth meter and see if your service provider is really the guilty party. If you don’t have one, download a copy at Cnet or PC World.

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Don’t you just hate the fact that Mac users just seem to have it all? They have the coolest brand, the hippest laptops, and the sleekest operating system. If you own an Intel/PC-based laptop that’s running on Windows, you definitely know what I’m talking about.

If those facts (disputable) are not enough to make you sinfully envious, then check out PC Mech’s article regarding the file systems which Mac OS X and Windows use. Although the article is littered with geeky gobbledygook, it simply says that Apple’s operating system is virtually maintenance free compared to Windows XP and Vista in terms of defragmenting.

Despite the seeming lead of Mac over Windows, I still prefer the latter because of its superior compatibility with every program available in the market. Maybe the reason why the occurrence of file fragmentation is low in Mac systems is because there are few programs or files that are compatible with OS X (I sound like Bill Gates sour graping over Steve Jobs’ success ).  Just kidding.

There’s no reason for us PC/Windows users to envy Mac people that much. We have excellent system tools which make our lives a little bit less complicated like the ones that our Mac counterparts have.  Support and compatibility is our advantage.  Even though Windows is unceasingly being attacked by various types of malware, the most widely-used OS is backed and defended by all known antivirus and registry cleaners available. So what’s the worry?

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What do you do when you encounter an error message?

I bet many of you just click “ok” after reading the first 4 words that are written in the notice or warning. I don’t blame you for having that kind of attitude towards Windows’ occasional ranting. I myself am guilty of that sometimes. The words in the warning or message box seem either gibberish or too technical to comprehend. In the fatalistic hope that things would turn out just fine by clicking ok (after all, ok means ok, right?), many users blindly click the first button that they see, especially if it’s selected or highlighted by default.

It’s Actually Telling You Something

The authors of Windows didn’t just randomly copy a page of the operating system’s manual and paste it on the error or warning boxes, though. You can bet your mouse’s left button that the designers carefully thought out all the error messages that Windows could utter in case it hiccups. I would even dare say that around 50 cents of the operating system’s price tag accounts for the time that the programmers have spent in writing those error messages.

It’s not wise to ignore error messages. Warning or error boxes that pop up on your screen are Windows’ way of telling you that it’s not feeling well and that it probably needs some tweaking. The fact that you know nothing technical other than Ctrl+Alt+Del doesn’t mean that you don’t have to exert any effort to try to address those messages. The most prudent thing to do when you see Windows coughing is to take note of the thing’s that it’s telling you and try to Google on it for clarifications and solutions.

The Blue Screen of Death

If you’re too lazy to open Google, then just continue reading this post. I’ll just spoon-feed you as to the possible causes.

One of the well known (and dreadful) error messages that you could get is the blue screen of death (BSoD). This curse is usually caused by faulty hardware, such as the motherboard and SIMM modules. Overheating on the CPU can also cause your monitor to spray blue paint all over its screen.

Solving BSoD problems caused by faulty hardware can easily be solved. However, the solution could be a bit of a burden on your pocket. Sputtering peripherals usually need to be changed. Although you could have it examined and dissected by a technician, chances are is that the numbers on the repair costs are almost the same as the price tag for a brand new part. I recommend that you just buy a brand new component rather than having your old peripheral undergo e-surgery.

Soft Solution for a Hard Problem

Before you buy a new component, though, make sure that it is really the problem. There are times when the peripheral is actually ok but appears to be not working due to a defective or incompatible device driver. Make sure that all the supporting applications or drivers that are necessary in order for the component to function are already installed. Update them regularly by visiting its manufacturer’s Web site for new releases or by checking driver repositories on the Internet, such as Driver Detective.

BSoDs are also caused by faulty Registry. If this is the cause of your operating system’s problem, you can solve it by running System Restore. If you failed to create a restore point, then seek the help of a Registry cleaner, such as RegCure. This program could rid your operating system’s registry of unwanted lines and instructions.

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