RAM (Random Access Memory) is one of the most important components that determine your computer’s performance. In an article I wrote, Why Computers in your lab are running slowly, the first factor I mentioned was RAM. In the school computer labs I have been to, most computers have not more than 4GB of RAM but I have been to places where computers are running on a mere 512 MB of RAM.
Some times, the budget to buy more RAM may not be readily available thereby giving you and the learners a poor experience when using the computers. However, there is an age old trick of adding more RAM to your PCs without spending a dime.
How to increase your computer’s virtual memory
- Right click the Computer icon found on your desktop and choose Properties.
2. Click Advanced system settings.
3. On the System properties box, choose/click Advanced followed by Settings under the Performance section.
4. Under the Performance Options box, click Advanced followed by Change.
5. On the Virtual Memory box, uncheck Automatically manage page file size for all drives.
6. Click on a drive, under Custom size enter a desired figure in MBs (Initial size) and in maximum size, double the initial figure and finally click Set and OK.
7. You will get a notification asking you to restart your PC. Click Apply and OK until the systems restarts.
When these steps are followed well, your system will get a boost in performance.
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Stephen Dumba is the National Coordinator of the ICT Teachers’ Association of Uganda. Besides teaching ICT, he repairs computers and builds websites. Steve is a speaker and facilitator at tech events and and CEO of senior1.org and a consultant on education technology.
Tel: +256 772 111 223 | +256 752 111 223 | Email: stephen.dumba@gmail.com
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