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Ok, I have a Dell Optiplex GX 400, a little old I know, but works fine for my needs. Problem is,once in a while, while in the middle of using it, it slows to a crawl and the little indicator light below the on/off switch begins flickering.This goes on for about 15 mins and then returns to normal. Question, is this a virtual memory problem? If so, What should I do?
It probably is a virtual memory problem. That light is the hard drive activity indicator. The hard drive has to run when virtual memory is being used. Your computer is so old that it almost a certainty that it is woefully short on memory. I'm guessing you have either 128 or 256 MB and you've upgraded to Windows XP somewhere along the way.
You can upgrade memory as far as you can. Go to crucial.com and see what they recommend. I like to see 2 GB on machines running XP.
It probably is a virtual memory problem. That light is the hard drive activity indicator. The hard drive has to run when virtual memory is being used. Your computer is so old that it almost a certainty that it is woefully short on memory. I'm guessing you have either 128 or 256 MB and you've upgraded to Windows XP somewhere along the way.
You can upgrade memory as far as you can. Go to crucial.com and see what they recommend. I like to see 2 GB on machines running XP.
Yes it was upgraded to XP from 2000. I bought it used from where I used to work. I really don't see a need for a new one since this one does what I need.Thanks for the info, I will check it out.BTW, 256 MB. 148 GB.
Your computers has RAMBUS memory. It has to be installed in matched pairs. You can put 4 256 MB or 512 MB memory modules in it and it will run a lot better than it does now.
GX400 = PC800 memory, aka Rambus memory. There's still new stock out there, but whether it's worth the $$ to upgrade to 1gb (essential for today's bloated programs), that's your call. If you can get some tested/used memory instead, that might just be enough to buy another couple years of life out of that computer.
newegg.com and tigerdirect.com are both often recommended here in the forum.
In this case, though, I'd look at ebay, craigslist, or your local Goodwill if they have a computer center. Just be certain that it's a RIMM and not a DIMM.
Even if you upgrade it to 512mb, it'd make a big difference, though aim for at least 768mb (adding 2x256) if not 1gb (replacing the existing 2x128 and going with 4x256 or 2x512).
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