computer out of memory?
 

i dunno lately my computer is running games and all of a sudden it crash saying it's out of memory.. i have basically nothing running except msn and ie.. and have 4gb rams on vista 32 bit.. i look at my physical memory it shows 3000mb but 2500 is cached and 60 is free?? any help?

Maybe you have a memory leak somewhere?

Can you post a screenshot of your Processes tab from the task manager, sorted by Memory usage (from highest to lowest) the next time you get this error?

Also in the task manager, go to View > Select Columns.. > Place a check next to 'Virtual Memory Size' so that you can also see how much virtual memory is being used.

just fyi but 4gb is never utilized in 32-bit windows. that's why normally you'll see 64-bit windows offered in stores with machines with >=4gb of ram. windows will just read 3 even though you have 4 there.

sounds like a memory leak to me as well. viruses/malware are notorious for that. like the above said post a screen of your processes to see what you're running for programs.

just for your information 32bit does utilize all 4gb now

windows sidebar have a serious memory leak

I dunno if your problem is the same as mine.

Do you get a blue screen?

I get a blue screen saying something about a physical memory dump, then it starts counting down and reboots. Usually happens when I have a few things going on. (ie. MSN, a few browsers, maybe running music/video)

I'm running Vista 64 Ultimate with 4 gigs DDR2. I thought it might be because I overclocked the CPU. It doesn't happen alot, but maybe 3 times in the last 3-4 months.


Any ideas guys?

the blue screen that says memory dump does not mean you've run out of memory. It's basically an error that windows couldn't recover from.

Some causes of the blue screen:
- unstable overclock
- bad RAM
- unstable drivers
and the list goes on.

to the OP: IMO, its pretty hard to use up 4GB of RAM (even with a memory leak)...tell us what exactly the error says. I have a feeling you're referring to the Blue screen?

Read the error screen more carefully and see what it really says.

A computer doesn't crash when it uses up all of its memory.

just check ur task manager and see whats using up all the memory

it regonize them doesnt mean they could be used

does your computer get delays and short bursts of inconsistent freezing?

I'm sort of getting that (my mouse would freeze up for a good 5 seconds everytime i wake my comp from suspend mode..and it glitches a bit when watching videos/playing games)

I only have 2GB ram on XP Pro..but i sit idle at 44% usage for some reason. It used to be ~20% idle before i had the problem.

sounds like ur overclock is unstable

run prime95 for a few hrs and see if its stable, if u can run it, then ur computer will be stable at the clock u set, if not, then u'll have to lower it or increase voltage

The most the 32-bit platform will use is 3.25GB's.

Vista will see that you have 4GB's but will not use it.

XP will only recognize what it can use.