Vista - how to reduce system load?

dear all

please help me
i am new to window vista.. i just bought a laptop with vista basic (RAM 1G).
the sidebar gadget is telling me i am using 70-80% of my RAM even though i
had not running any application. sometime it stay at 97% when i surf internet
with few windows... is it normal for the computer?

or is 1G RAM too small for vista basic?

what is the meaning of "The system is experiencing excessive paging". what
is the step to solve the issue without increasing the physical RAM of my
system.

how can i reduce system load?

thanks a lot
deric

Hi Deric,

> please help me
> i am new to window vista.. i just bought a laptop with vista basic (RAM
> 1G).
> the sidebar gadget is telling me i am using 70-80% of my RAM even though i
> had not running any application. sometime it stay at 97% when i surf
> internet
> with few windows... is it normal for the computer?

It is normal, Vista will find use for as much of the ram as possible. Often
times, when the system is idle, it will be used for background processes
like the defragger and indexing. You paid for 1GB of ram, I should certainly
think you would want the system to use it.

> or is 1G RAM too small for vista basic?

No, it should be ok.

> what is the meaning of "The system is experiencing excessive paging".
> what
> is the step to solve the issue without increasing the physical RAM of my
> system.

Excessive paging means the current load of programs memory requirements
exceeds the physically installed amount of ram. The system must now write
blocks of memory to temporary pages on the hard drive while the program is
in use. The only solutions to this problem is to either reduce the number of
running programs or increase the physical memory.

> how can i reduce system load?

Check that only necessary programs are loading at startup, as many insert
themselves into the startup routine unnecessarily during installation. By
disabling them (done throught either the program's settings or msconfig),
you prevent them from placing demands on your system's memory until they are
actually needed by the user.

> thanks a lot

Hope this helps.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

"deric" <deric@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:235E3038-5356-43E5-B672-920CF4BD1D6B@microsoft.com...
> dear all
>
>

"Rick Rogers" wrote:

> Hi Deric,
>
> > please help me
> > i am new to window vista.. i just bought a laptop with vista basic (RAM
> > 1G).
> > the sidebar gadget is telling me i am using 70-80% of my RAM even though i
> > had not running any application. sometime it stay at 97% when i surf
> > internet
> > with few windows... is it normal for the computer?
>
> It is normal, Vista will find use for as much of the ram as possible. Often
> times, when the system is idle, it will be used for background processes
> like the defragger and indexing. You paid for 1GB of ram, I should certainly
> think you would want the system to use it.
>
> > or is 1G RAM too small for vista basic?
>
> No, it should be ok.
>
> > what is the meaning of "The system is experiencing excessive paging".
> > what
> > is the step to solve the issue without increasing the physical RAM of my
> > system.
>
> Excessive paging means the current load of programs memory requirements
> exceeds the physically installed amount of ram. The system must now write
> blocks of memory to temporary pages on the hard drive while the program is
> in use. The only solutions to this problem is to either reduce the number of
> running programs or increase the physical memory.
>
> > how can i reduce system load?
>
> Check that only necessary programs are loading at startup, as many insert
> themselves into the startup routine unnecessarily during installation. By
> disabling them (done throught either the program's settings or msconfig),
> you prevent them from placing demands on your system's memory until they are
> actually needed by the user.
>
> > thanks a lot
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>
> "deric" <deric@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:235E3038-5356-43E5-B672-920CF4BD1D6B@microsoft.com...
> > dear all
> >
> >
>
>

"Rick Rogers" wrote:

> Hi Deric,
>
> > please help me
> > i am new to window vista.. i just bought a laptop with vista basic (RAM
> > 1G).
> > the sidebar gadget is telling me i am using 70-80% of my RAM even though i
> > had not running any application. sometime it stay at 97% when i surf
> > internet
> > with few windows... is it normal for the computer?
>
> It is normal, Vista will find use for as much of the ram as possible. Often
> times, when the system is idle, it will be used for background processes
> like the defragger and indexing. You paid for 1GB of ram, I should certainly
> think you would want the system to use it.
>
> > or is 1G RAM too small for vista basic?
>
> No, it should be ok.
>
> > what is the meaning of "The system is experiencing excessive paging".
> > what
> > is the step to solve the issue without increasing the physical RAM of my
> > system.
>
> Excessive paging means the current load of programs memory requirements
> exceeds the physically installed amount of ram. The system must now write
> blocks of memory to temporary pages on the hard drive while the program is
> in use. The only solutions to this problem is to either reduce the number of
> running programs or increase the physical memory.
>
> > how can i reduce system load?
>
> Check that only necessary programs are loading at startup, as many insert
> themselves into the startup routine unnecessarily during installation. By
> disabling them (done throught either the program's settings or msconfig),
> you prevent them from placing demands on your system's memory until they are
> actually needed by the user.
>
> > thanks a lot
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>
> "deric" <deric@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:235E3038-5356-43E5-B672-920CF4BD1D6B@microsoft.com...
> > dear all
> >
> >
>
>

Hi, Like Rick I am also new to Vista, and recently purchased a laptop running
Vista. The laptop is running v. slow and programs keep not responding. I
have checked out the information on the laptop re improving performance. this
tells me that one problem is that the The system is experiencing excessive
paging". How do I stop programs loading at startup, you have suggestged to
disabling them (done throught either the program's settings or msconfig), is
this the same as right clicking on them in the start menu and removing that
way or do I need to do something else? secondly do I need to do this for each
user account? thanks


"Rick Rogers" wrote:

> Hi Deric,
>
> > please help me
> > i am new to window vista.. i just bought a laptop with vista basic (RAM
> > 1G).
> > the sidebar gadget is telling me i am using 70-80% of my RAM even though i
> > had not running any application. sometime it stay at 97% when i surf
> > internet
> > with few windows... is it normal for the computer?
>
> It is normal, Vista will find use for as much of the ram as possible. Often
> times, when the system is idle, it will be used for background processes
> like the defragger and indexing. You paid for 1GB of ram, I should certainly
> think you would want the system to use it.
>
> > or is 1G RAM too small for vista basic?
>
> No, it should be ok.
>
> > what is the meaning of "The system is experiencing excessive paging".
> > what
> > is the step to solve the issue without increasing the physical RAM of my
> > system.
>
> Excessive paging means the current load of programs memory requirements
> exceeds the physically installed amount of ram. The system must now write
> blocks of memory to temporary pages on the hard drive while the program is
> in use. The only solutions to this problem is to either reduce the number of
> running programs or increase the physical memory.
>
> > how can i reduce system load?
>
> Check that only necessary programs are loading at startup, as many insert
> themselves into the startup routine unnecessarily during installation. By
> disabling them (done throught either the program's settings or msconfig),
> you prevent them from placing demands on your system's memory until they are
> actually needed by the user.
>
> > thanks a lot
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>
> "deric" <deric@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:235E3038-5356-43E5-B672-920CF4BD1D6B@microsoft.com...
> > dear all
> >
> >
>
>

"bridge" <bridge@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:4EABB45D-3739-4295-AAE7-753BAF408861@microsoft.com...
> Hi, Like Rick I am also new to Vista, and recently purchased a laptop
> running
> Vista. The laptop is running v. slow and programs keep not responding. I
> have checked out the information on the laptop re improving performance.
> this
> tells me that one problem is that the The system is experiencing excessive
> paging". How do I stop programs loading at startup, you have suggestged
> to
> disabling them (done throught either the program's settings or msconfig),
> is
> this the same as right clicking on them in the start menu and removing
> that
> way or do I need to do something else? secondly do I need to do this for
> each
> user account? thanks
>

Deleting them from the Start Menu will not stop them running. You need to
go through msconfig and kill the junk, also you might be able to get rid of
a few services too, but you really need to research first, and make a note
of what you do just in case.

Make sure you have uninstalled any crap that might have come with the
machine. Mine was purchased from Dell, and once I dumped the rubbish and
applied a couple of basic tweaks it is performing very well.



--
Can't think of a sig at the moment.
Read this instead.

Thank you this sounds promising. Can you pls direct me to where I can do
further research ie how do i get to msconfig via Vista (Is there an option
available in Vista?)? How do I know what is crap and what is not, what
services are essential etc etc what other basic tweaks did you apply (other
than what you have suggested?)

"Lord Takyon" wrote:

> "bridge" <bridge@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:4EABB45D-3739-4295-AAE7-753BAF408861@microsoft.com...
> > Hi, Like Rick I am also new to Vista, and recently purchased a laptop
> > running
> > Vista. The laptop is running v. slow and programs keep not responding. I
> > have checked out the information on the laptop re improving performance.
> > this
> > tells me that one problem is that the The system is experiencing excessive
> > paging". How do I stop programs loading at startup, you have suggestged
> > to
> > disabling them (done throught either the program's settings or msconfig),
> > is
> > this the same as right clicking on them in the start menu and removing
> > that
> > way or do I need to do something else? secondly do I need to do this for
> > each
> > user account? thanks
> >
>
> Deleting them from the Start Menu will not stop them running. You need to
> go through msconfig and kill the junk, also you might be able to get rid of
> a few services too, but you really need to research first, and make a note
> of what you do just in case.
>
> Make sure you have uninstalled any crap that might have come with the
> machine. Mine was purchased from Dell, and once I dumped the rubbish and
> applied a couple of basic tweaks it is performing very well.
>
>
>
> --
> Can't think of a sig at the moment.
> Read this instead.
>
>

I have found the msconfig option via Vista - but would appreciate response
on other questions included below. thank you v much.
"bridge" wrote:

> Thank you this sounds promising. Can you pls direct me to where I can do
> further research ie how do i get to msconfig via Vista (Is there an option
> available in Vista?)? How do I know what is crap and what is not, what
> services are essential etc etc what other basic tweaks did you apply (other
> than what you have suggested?)
>
> "Lord Takyon" wrote:
>
> > "bridge" <bridge@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:4EABB45D-3739-4295-AAE7-753BAF408861@microsoft.com...
> > > Hi, Like Rick I am also new to Vista, and recently purchased a laptop
> > > running
> > > Vista. The laptop is running v. slow and programs keep not responding. I
> > > have checked out the information on the laptop re improving performance.
> > > this
> > > tells me that one problem is that the The system is experiencing excessive
> > > paging". How do I stop programs loading at startup, you have suggestged
> > > to
> > > disabling them (done throught either the program's settings or msconfig),
> > > is
> > > this the same as right clicking on them in the start menu and removing
> > > that
> > > way or do I need to do something else? secondly do I need to do this for
> > > each
> > > user account? thanks
> > >
> >
> > Deleting them from the Start Menu will not stop them running. You need to
> > go through msconfig and kill the junk, also you might be able to get rid of
> > a few services too, but you really need to research first, and make a note
> > of what you do just in case.
> >
> > Make sure you have uninstalled any crap that might have come with the
> > machine. Mine was purchased from Dell, and once I dumped the rubbish and
> > applied a couple of basic tweaks it is performing very well.
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Can't think of a sig at the moment.
> > Read this instead.
> >
> >

"bridge" <bridge@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C2E1F866-588E-4549-9E8C-A7163E0BCB70@microsoft.com...
>
> I have found the msconfig option via Vista - but would appreciate response
> on other questions included below. thank you v much.
> "bridge" wrote:
>
>> Thank you this sounds promising. Can you pls direct me to where I can
>> do
>> further research ie how do i get to msconfig via Vista (Is there an
>> option
>> available in Vista?)? How do I know what is crap and what is not, what
>> services are essential etc etc what other basic tweaks did you apply
>> (other
>> than what you have suggested?)
>>
>> "Lord Takyon" wrote:
>>
>> > "bridge" <bridge@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> > news:4EABB45D-3739-4295-AAE7-753BAF408861@microsoft.com...
>> > > Hi, Like Rick I am also new to Vista, and recently purchased a laptop
>> > > running
>> > > Vista. The laptop is running v. slow and programs keep not
>> > > responding. I
>> > > have checked out the information on the laptop re improving
>> > > performance.
>> > > this
>> > > tells me that one problem is that the The system is experiencing
>> > > excessive
>> > > paging". How do I stop programs loading at startup, you have
>> > > suggestged
>> > > to
>> > > disabling them (done throught either the program's settings or
>> > > msconfig),
>> > > is
>> > > this the same as right clicking on them in the start menu and
>> > > removing
>> > > that
>> > > way or do I need to do something else? secondly do I need to do this
>> > > for
>> > > each
>> > > user account? thanks
>> > >
>> >
>> > Deleting them from the Start Menu will not stop them running. You need
>> > to
>> > go through msconfig and kill the junk, also you might be able to get
>> > rid of
>> > a few services too, but you really need to research first, and make a
>> > note
>> > of what you do just in case.
>> >
>> > Make sure you have uninstalled any crap that might have come with the
>> > machine. Mine was purchased from Dell, and once I dumped the rubbish
>> > and
>> > applied a couple of basic tweaks it is performing very well.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Can't think of a sig at the moment.
>> > Read this instead.
>> >
>> >


Open up your Add/Remove and get rid of anything you do not need/use. If you
are not sure of something then Google it. Alot of pre-built systems come
with all kinds of apps installed, most of them crap. Alot of those apps
will try to autostart stuff too, this slows a machine down.

Msconfig first, look under the 'Start up' tab and remove non-essential
stuff. If you are not sure then Google it and decide.

For services press the Windows Key and press 'R' and then type
'services.msc'. This brings up a list of lots of services, there are many
ways you can tweak this by disabling stuff or switching it to manual so it
only starts when needed. Goto
http://www.blackviper.com/WinVista/servicecfg.htm for a list of services,
what they do, whether you can set to disabled or manual etc.....

Basically make a couple of changes and note them, reboot and check all is
fine, then do a couple more. ALWAYS make a note of what you do incase you
need to undo something.

There are many sites detailing performance tweaks, most will suggest
switching off the search indexer. Try to understand what the things you
switch off do.

--
Can't think of a sig at the moment.
Read this instead.