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    ram usage

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by darth jimmy, Apr 9, 2009.

  1. darth jimmy

    darth jimmy Notebook Enthusiast

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    when i turn on my computer before i even open anything it says 54% of the ram is being used.
    i'm running windows vista with 2 gb of ram.
    why is so much ram being used before i start any programs?
    is this normal? :confused:
     
    darth jimmy, Apr 9, 2009
    #1
  2. Necromancer90

    Necromancer90 Notebook Consultant

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    I would assume if you have any bloatware, that would help the memory spike higher.

    The NBR Vista Tips and Tweaks Guide may help you lower the average memory use, and boost your systems speed.
     
    Necromancer90, Apr 9, 2009
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  3. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

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    Vista has a function called Superfetch. What it does is watches what programs you use a lot, and loads them up when you start the computer. It then keeps the program in memory whether you're using it or not. If another program needs that memory space, it can dump out the loaded program instantly. If it's not needed, those programs will open MUCH more quickly.
    That memory is useless to you unless you're using it. Only be concerned with memory usage if your memory is regularly full.
     
    Hep!, Apr 9, 2009
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  4. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    That memory usage is normal
    My Vista uses 1.1 GB at idle
    That’s why the normal minimum recommendation is 2GB

    Alex
     
    Alex, Apr 9, 2009
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  5. darth jimmy

    darth jimmy Notebook Enthusiast

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    thanks for your help
     
    darth jimmy, Apr 9, 2009
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  6. ScuderiaConchiglia

    ScuderiaConchiglia NBR Vaio Team Curmudgeon

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    Simply put, WinXP used a memory management model of minimal use of RAM. When things were unused for any length of time they were purged. Vista on the other had uses a memory management model of unused memory is wasted memory. It leaves as much in memory as it reliably can, with least used items able to be paged out instantly to make way as other things require ram.

    This is an OVERLY simplified explanation, but what you are seeing is perfectly normal and in reality a BIG improvement over the way XP handled things.

    Gary
     
    ScuderiaConchiglia, Apr 9, 2009
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