Transferring programs, files, etc. to an external hard drive

[Stevie]

Hi folks

Being a complete and utter TECHNOPHOBE with an older PC with limited memory, I recently purchased additional memory to expand it ....

As I say, being not very PC literate, I think I managed to transfer photographs, music, etc, to the external drive but my PC is still quite slow and it 'complains' that the 'virtual memory' is low.

Can anyone help in 'talking me' through moving program files or any larger items to the external drive in the hope that it'll stop my PC's 'complaints'.

I regularly 'clean up' and 'defragment' but I think a lot is to do with the age of the PC which I can't afford to replace at the moment.

Thanks folks.

Stevie

[Philtaz]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W91VzK9P0Hk

[scotman]

If I understand your post you have purchased an external hard disc. This is not the same as memory. Memory is internal to the PC and is part of what makes the PC 'run'. Hard discs are storage and will have no noticeable effect on speed.
Can you post the make and model of your PC and what Operating System you have.

[VHG]

DONT move your programs to external hard disk. This can cause all sorts of problems if your external hard disk is unplugged.

"Virtual Memory" is held on your computer hard disk (not your external hard disk).

You may be getting this message because your hard disk is nearly full and Windows has no room for "virtual memory".

So you need to move personal files OFF your hard disk on to your external hard drive (which you seem to be doing).

Another way to stop thrse messages is to add more REAL memory (RAM) to your PC as this will stop you using so much virtual memory.

[VHG]

When you move files from your hard disk to your external hard disk you must make sure you MOVE them and not COPY them.

Moving them frees up space on your hard disk, Copying them does not.

Windows does have a "Disk Clean up" option that removes old files, see if you can find that and run it.

Also make sure you clean out your recycle bin.

Also search for large files (video files are often the largest) as deleting them will free up loads of space.

[hc4361]

VHG is complicating the issue.
It is not hard disk space that is causing the problem.
Your RAM is not sufficient to carry out the tasks. You need to add more RAM - and easy job that takes a few minutes only and is fairly cheap. Definitely worth doing

[Old_Geezer]

As I read it Stevie bought extra memory and then decided to transfer files onto an external hard drive as well? Whatever, the problem is the same whatever happened.

First thing is that it is inadvisable to move executable programme files. There is all sorts of configuration that was set at the installation of an application that may be incorrect after you move it. If you really wish to move applications it is probably best to uninstall and install elsewhere from scratch.

Moving data files and suchlike is easy. Open up a Windows Explorer of two and use the menu options 'cut' & 'paste'. Cut from the existing location, paste in the one you wish to move it to.

Virtual memory problems suggest you could do with still more real memory to stop Windows feeling the need to move stuff to the virtual memory file on the hard disk. If you are not comfortable with that sort of upgrade ask a knowledgeable friend to recommend the memory for your PC, open it up, and install it.

If you want to enlarge the virtual memory file though, then that can be done using the virtual memory settings. It varies from PC to PC but on mine it's settings/control [panel/system/Advanced/performance settings/advanced/virtual memory change. But again I'd advise getting a knowledgeable friend to advise at your side.

[VHG]

>>>>It is not hard disk space that is causing the problem.

It could be.

If his hard disk is full up then there is no room to create the virtual memory that Windows needs.

In fact if it is an old computer there is a good chance the hard disk is small and could easily be full up, stopping Windows creating more virtual memory on the hard disk when it needs it.

In fact if you read this article here the first thing they suggest is to check your hard disk is not full

http://www.pcmag.com/....asp#fbid=5T_o6DIs2iH

[VHG]

I should say I agree the best way to get round this problem is to install more RAM.

However, as the poster was saying his his memory was filling up I felt a simple check he could make to try to get round the problem was to make sure his hard disk was not full up.

This costs nothing and is easy to do.

If it turns out NOT to be the problem then more RAM can be added.