I have 1x512MB DDR2 PC4300 running in Single Channel Mode. At times my computer lags and pauses and is unresponsive for several seconds when multi-tasking.

At the moment I have NOD32, 1 Bittornado file downloading, FreeRam XP Pro, and Abit's uGuru running in the taskbar. FreeRam XP Pro says I am down to 120MB of free ram left.

I have a low end P3 1Ghz with 512MB SDRAM (2x256) that seems to manage the same amount of ram more efficiently. It seems I can multi-task and switch between programs better on my P3 than on my P4. Right now I am down to 90MB of ram on my P4. I can open the same amount programs and more on my P3 and my ram never dips that low. On my P4, I'm losing ram and I'm not even opening up any new programs. This cannot be right. What do you all think?

Here are my P4's specs:

Abit 3rd Eye Intel 925X
P4 3.0ghz Prescott socket 775
512MB DDR2 PC4300 Corsair Value Select
Seagate 160gb SATA
MSI PCX5750 Nvidia PCI-Express
Audigy 2ZS
LG 4120 DVD writer
Antec Truepower 480w PSU
Antec Super Lanboy Case

First I would get rid of FreeRam XP Pro. Its snake oil. Let XP manage its own memory, its far better at it than any third party application.

Also check your virtual memory configuration. Let Windows XP manage that as well if it isn't already doing so.

Stuart

Thanks for your reply Stuart. I have followed your advice and got rid of FreeRam XP Pro.

As for my Virtual Memory Configuration I haven't altered it in any way. Here is screenshot of of my Virtual Memory Settings.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/hardkorehalfazn/VirtualMemorySettings.jpg

Though i currently cannot look at your screen shot (thanks to my work) i would run a spyware/adware program to get rid of anything that might be ruuning that is not suppose too. Also, you might consider to do a virus check.

Before you do a virus check, ake sure that you clean out your temp interent files, by manually going into the folder and doing it yourself to insure that you get evrything. Do this for your history and your cookies.

You can be amused by the simplest of things.

The smartest people in the world, over-look the smallest objects.

War does not determine who is right, only who is left.

I forgot to mention, make sure you are in safe mode when you do all of this. It goes faster.

You can be amused by the simplest of things.

The smartest people in the world, over-look the smallest objects.

War does not determine who is right, only who is left.

Is your P3 rig able to do dual channel?
Not an Intel guy so I don't know?

Tt Lanfire
nf7-s v2.0
XP-m 2500@209x11
SP 97
512mb pc3200
Jou Jye 550w psu
FX5600
WDCaviar 160gb sata
WDCaviar 160gb sata

;~}

On your Virtual Memory screen click System Managed size and let Windows take care of it. It has been changed at some time in the past as Windows defaults to System Managed.

Custom Managed size is useful in some circumstances but you need to understand how Windows manages memory to fully utilise it.

For instance, freeing up unused RAM as FreeRam XP Pro does is not necessarily a good thing to do. It can actually slow things down.

Stuart