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[commoner]

Hi...I am running Windows XP SP2 on a not too modern PC...2.5 GigHz. with 1 gig ram and have 80 gig left on the HDD.

This last week I have been aware that after a few hours operation I get the message. "insufficient resources to complete the task.." or words to that effect, and the machine has to be restarted before I can carry on...it is then fine for another 8 0r 10 hours. Never seen it before from almost 4 years of working daily with this PC.

Browsing around it seems that I am far from alone with this problem but as usual there seems to be very little real help in solving it. Lots of suggestions but nothing which has put the finger on the cause or cure...for me at least.

Some of you guys must have seen the same thing surely..and I'd be real grateful for any help you can offer....

Thanks...commoner.

[TTG]

Go into system and check the RAM is ok. Start/Settings/Control Panel/System. You should see 1GB.

Next, Start/Run/msconfig Startup tab. Search on the net for each process that is ticked so you know what it does. If you are sure it's not needed, untick it. When you have unticked what's not needed, restart your computer.

Get service pack 3. Note...If you have an AMD processor, you will need to download and run a fix first.

[rojash]

Sounds like a memory leak to me. A memory leak is when a program requests some memory from the OS, and doesn't notify the OS when it's finished with it. Quite a few programs have this problem to a greater or lesser extent. If you have recently installed or updated some software -especially something that runs in the background, that's the first suspect. If you haven't, then I suggest that you do a check for malware using the free version of malwarebytes antimalware. http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

[rojash]

...should have said:
I agree with TTG that you should get SP3:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

[scotman]

If your motherboard can accept it then you should increase the RAM to maximum.

[commoner]

Hi all...thanks for your help..I've done all that you suggested.....apart from adding more RAM...I'll check that out too later.....It remains to be seen whether the desired effect has been achieved...at the very least I now have service pack three ;-)

Thanks again....commoner.

[AlBags]

That is a perfectly adequate system for general use.
You have a process running problem.
If you want to do it properly .. read up on, and use HijackThis to make a saved text file of processes first. Then you can see what is running exactly .. and what needs fixing or removing. It's often going to be an adware problem of infection that needs sorting.