# Virtual Memory Problems **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 13, 2007, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtual-memory-problems/426217 "2007-11-13T05:48:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtual-memory-problems/426217/1 "2007-11-13T05:48:47Z")
Hey all. Technophobe here, looking for advice that won’t trigger panic attacks. It seems my compy is old enough that I just don’t have enough RAM (.5 gig) to run the sort of software I’d like to on a regular basis. Now, I’ve run AIDA32, and SiSandra. Sandra implies that I have 3 memory slots, one of which is being used. AIDA concurs that I have: Memory Slots DRAM Slot #1 512 MB (PC133 SDRAM) But says nothing about the other slots. Perhaps because they’re not being used? I dunno. It does, however, give me this ominous message: Problem Motherboard chipset cannot handle more memory. Problem AGP is disabled. This may cause performance penalty. Can I put in more memory? I’m unsure. I am also, as mentioned, a supreme technophobe, and the idea of mucking about with this without a step-by-step, reliable plan (which I’m hoping dopers can help me with) scares the bejesus out of me. If it makes any difference, the motherboard data: Chipset Properties Motherboard Chipset Intel Solano i815E In-Order Queue Depth 4 CAS Latency 3T RAS To CAS Delay 3T RAS Precharge 3T RAS Active Time 7T Integrated Graphics Controller Graphics Controller Type Intel i752 Graphics Controller Status Disabled Memory Slots DRAM Slot #1 512 MB (PC133 SDRAM) AGP Properties AGP Version 2.00 AGP Status Disabled AGP Aperture Size 64 MB Supported AGP Speeds 1x, 2x, 4x Fast-Write Not Supported Side Band Addressing Supported, Disabled Chipset Manufacturer Company Name Intel Corporation Product Information [http://www.intel.com/products/browse/chipsets.htm](http://www.intel.com/products/browse/chipsets.htm) Driver Download [http://support.intel.com/support/chipsets/index.htm](http://support.intel.com/support/chipsets/index.htm) Problems & Suggestions Problem Motherboard chipset cannot handle more memory. Problem AGP is disabled. This may cause performance penalty. Anyone able to take pity on me and make sense of all this gobbledygook? Thanks much. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtual-memory-problems/426217/2 "2007-11-13T06:19:59Z")
How old is your computer? I believe that some motherboards can’t address more than a certain amount of memory. You need to give more information about your system, including the motherboard type. Also, it might be handy to know what version of Windows you’re running. First, though, try going to the Crucial website and using their [system scanner](http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/index.aspx). It should tell you how many memory slots you have, how many are filled, and what (if any) upgrades you can make. The system scan is perfectly safe. ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtual-memory-problems/426217/3 "2007-11-13T14:53:18Z")
The computer itself is second-hand, and I don’t know how old it is. I’m running Win2000SE. The information given from the scan you suggested is: Maximum Memory Capacity: N.A. Currently Installed Memory: 512 MB Available Memory Slots: N.A. Number of Banks: N.A. Dual Channel Support: N.A. CPU Manufacturer: GenuineIntel CPU Family: Intel Pentium III processor Model 8, Stepping 3 CPU Speed: 863 MHz System Manufacturer: Gateway System Model: N.A. Motherboard Manufacturer: IntelCorporation Motherboard Model: D815EEA Hrm. By googling the D815EEA, it seems it only supports 512 Meg of ram… I assume this means I’m completely out of luck? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtual-memory-problems/426217/4 "2007-11-13T16:19:17Z")
[QUOTE=ArrMatey!] Hrm. By googling the D815EEA, it seems it only supports 512 Meg of ram… I assume this means I’m completely out of luck? [/QUOTE] Afraid so. That motherboard has room for 3 DIMMs (i.e., it has 3 memory slots), and supports a max of 512Mb total. A Pentium III 863MHz processor is getting pretty old and slow now, and 512MB of RAM is not a lot if you’re running memory-hungry programs. What sort of software do you want to run? ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtual-memory-problems/426217/5 "2007-11-13T16:26:53Z")
In this case, some older MMO’s. City of Heroes has been crashing like crazy recently, and last night I got my first Warcraft-based crash. It is, to say the least, annoying. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtual-memory-problems/426217/6 "2007-11-13T17:31:41Z")
866 MHz and 512 MB is plenty for Windows 2000. I’m guessing that the graphics are onboard and using the main memory and that you want to minimise expenditure. [Gateway](http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/INTEL/2511552/251155201.shtml) support page. [This page](http://www.motherboards.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=89408) says that 1.0 or 1.5 GB will actually work. A 512 MB stick of PC133 will be [modestly cheap](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820141515). If you do want to minimise your expenditure while giving a decent result, plug in a [Nvidia 7600 GS](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121064R) or the equivalent Radeon. Equally, if your system is becoming twitchy, it may be time for a complete reinstall. Lastly, since you like MMORPGs, if your PC can’t cope with Warcraft, you might like to know that the BBC has an [article](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4774534.stm) on [Runescape](http://www.runescape.com/) which is targetted at low-spec PCs. Indeed, yours is good enough to run Runescape at the High Detail setting. MMORPGs aren’t my thing, so I’ve no idea how good it actually is.