Where has all the memory gone?

Running under Vista Home Premium SP1.

I just loaded Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 (which had been running previously
under WinXP with 500MB RAM) into my new PC with 3GB RAM. It would not run
and requested that I increase Windows Virtual RAM!

Task Manager shows RAM with Total=2939MB, Cached=2080MB, and Free=20MB. My
first guess is that the problem has to do with having an administrator and
five standard users, four of whom are minimum-user kids and should be
removed (along with the kids). Am I right?

BudV wrote:
> Running under Vista Home Premium SP1.
>
> I just loaded Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 (which had been running
> previously under WinXP with 500MB RAM) into my new PC with 3GB RAM. It
> would not run and requested that I increase Windows Virtual RAM!
>
> Task Manager shows RAM with Total=2939MB, Cached=2080MB, and
> Free=20MB. My first guess is that the problem has to do with having
> an administrator and five standard users, four of whom are
> minimum-user kids and should be removed (along with the kids). Am I
> right?
===========================
Maybe it would be worth a try to run
the program in Compatibility Mode.

Maybe the following articles will help:

(927386) How to troubleshoot program
compatibility issues in Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927386/en-us

(931361) How to troubleshoot issues that may
prevent a program from being installed correctly
on a Windows Vista-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931361/en-us

(931362) Advanced methods to troubleshoot
a program that does not run as expected after
it is installed on Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931362/en-us

--


John Inzer MS-MVP
Digital Media Experience

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk

NO
Your problem is not caused by the number of accounts you created and are
used on the computer. As a matter of fact even the admin need to run under a
standard user account. Only if users leaves application/ program running
and/or using the Switch User (Those kind of actions could get in the way of
memory.) instead of saving their work closing all applications and logging
off their account. So just make sure your users are closing and logging
off. Only one user can be logged on at a time and that should cause no
memory problems.

You could try increasing windows virtual ram. The message you received most
likely was generated by *program compatibility assistant* that is
automatically run in Vista unless you disabled it so using that message
would be the first thing I would try. Just open Help and Support from you
start menu in the help and support window at the top in the search box type
increase virtual ram or any keywords to that affect, to get the directions
to increase your virtual ram. I can't tell you how much to increase it but
you can try different amounts to see what will cause a difference in the
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2. I would also pay a visit to the Adobe web site
to see what they have to say when it comes to using that program with Vista.

H Brown
"John Inzer" <> wrote in message
news:%23Kd%...
> BudV wrote:
>> Running under Vista Home Premium SP1.
>>
>> I just loaded Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 (which had been running
>> previously under WinXP with 500MB RAM) into my new PC with 3GB RAM. It
>> would not run and requested that I increase Windows Virtual RAM!
>>
>> Task Manager shows RAM with Total=2939MB, Cached=2080MB, and
>> Free=20MB. My first guess is that the problem has to do with having
>> an administrator and five standard users, four of whom are
>> minimum-user kids and should be removed (along with the kids). Am I
>> right?
> ===========================
> Maybe it would be worth a try to run
> the program in Compatibility Mode.
>
> Maybe the following articles will help:
>
> (927386) How to troubleshoot program
> compatibility issues in Windows Vista
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927386/en-us
>
> (931361) How to troubleshoot issues that may
> prevent a program from being installed correctly
> on a Windows Vista-based computer
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931361/en-us
>
> (931362) Advanced methods to troubleshoot
> a program that does not run as expected after
> it is installed on Windows Vista
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931362/en-us
>
> --
>
>
> John Inzer MS-MVP
> Digital Media Experience
>
> Notice
> This is not tech support
> I am a volunteer
>
> Solutions that work for
> me may not work for you
>
> Proceed at your own risk
>
>
>

Hi,

First, did you cap or disable virtual memory? If so, undo it.

Second, if those other user accounts are using switch mode rather than
logging off, then yes each would be reserving some of the physical memory to
capture the user state. Until they are logged off or the system rebooted,
that memory would not be released.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"BudV" <BudVitoff@(NO)att.(SPAM)net> wrote in message
news:...
> Running under Vista Home Premium SP1.
>
> I just loaded Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 (which had been running
> previously under WinXP with 500MB RAM) into my new PC with 3GB RAM. It
> would not run and requested that I increase Windows Virtual RAM!
>
> Task Manager shows RAM with Total=2939MB, Cached=2080MB, and Free=20MB.
> My first guess is that the problem has to do with having an administrator
> and five standard users, four of whom are minimum-user kids and should be
> removed (along with the kids). Am I right?

Since I don't know how to cap or disable virtual memory, I guess we can
assume that I haven't. In fact, I don't really want to increase *virtual*
memory, since I bought a PC with 3GB of RAM, expecting it to be enough.
Frankly, I'm not surprised that the install of an old package like Photoshop
Elements 2 (PSE2) would spit up trying to get into Vista. I have PSE4 around
here somewhere, but I have doublts about that as well. I'll have to check
with Adobe to see what they have to say about it.

Those "other accounts" are for kids under age 10, and aren't being used, for
all practical purposes. I just had to ask, because my daughter, who is
reasonably computer literate, was convinced that having all these users was
the cause of the various and sundry problems we've encountered since we
bought the PC. Just to check, I did remove one of the standard users, and
it didn't change the stats at all.

The one thing that blew my mind was the stats (Total=2939MB, Cached=2080MB,
and Free=20MB). It just seemd to be totally unreasonable. Is it?

Bud

"Rick Rogers" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi,
>
> First, did you cap or disable virtual memory? If so, undo it.
>
> Second, if those other user accounts are using switch mode rather than
> logging off, then yes each would be reserving some of the physical memory
> to capture the user state. Until they are logged off or the system
> rebooted, that memory would not be released.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>
> "BudV" <BudVitoff@(NO)att.(SPAM)net> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Running under Vista Home Premium SP1.
>>
>> I just loaded Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 (which had been running
>> previously under WinXP with 500MB RAM) into my new PC with 3GB RAM. It
>> would not run and requested that I increase Windows Virtual RAM!
>>
>> Task Manager shows RAM with Total=2939MB, Cached=2080MB, and Free=20MB.
>> My first guess is that the problem has to do with having an administrator
>> and five standard users, four of whom are minimum-user kids and should be
>> removed (along with the kids). Am I right?
>

Hi Bud
Is your version of Vista 32 bit or 64 bit?

H Brown

"BudV" <BudVitoff@(NO)att.(SPAM)net> wrote in message
news:...
> Running under Vista Home Premium SP1.
>
> I just loaded Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 (which had been running
> previously under WinXP with 500MB RAM) into my new PC with 3GB RAM. It
> would not run and requested that I increase Windows Virtual RAM!
>
> Task Manager shows RAM with Total=2939MB, Cached=2080MB, and Free=20MB.
> My first guess is that the problem has to do with having an administrator
> and five standard users, four of whom are minimum-user kids and should be
> removed (along with the kids). Am I right?

Hi Bud
Thanks for posting back,
Even though Adobe reports that Photoshop Elements version 2.0 is not
compatible with Vista 32 or 64 bit, other user of Vista 32 bit have PE 2.0
running fine. They also say no problems when they installed the PE program.
However like you they got the message to increase Windows Virtual Ram. When
they did increase Virtual Ram Adobe Photoshop Elements Version 2.0 ran well.

(snip) from
http://www.computing.net/answers/win...sta-/3242.html
Name: dsarosh
Date: November 3, 2008 at 02:39:35 Pacific
OS: Vista Ultimate 32 bit
CPU/Ram: C2D E6550, 4GB 667Mhz

Hi,
I have to use Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 on my comp since the newest
version 5.0 and 6.0 do not have the batch conversion features that are
required.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 installs fine on vista, but it doest not run by
default. I get an error prompt that reads something like "there is not
enough virtual memory in the installation directory".

If I go to system properties>performance settings>advanced>change virtual
memory on my C drive to 5000 then the application runs perfectly.

Below are instructions from your Help and Support files on how to change
your
setting for your paging file/virtual memory. From the start menu click on
and open
Help and Support, in the page that opens find the search box at top and type
in
"Change the size of virtual memory" the search result in H&S will have a
link
that says "Change the size of virtual memory" click on that link and the
directions will
have a link so you can open *System*. You could do the same thing in the
search bar
above the start button after clicking start. Type the word System and click
on it
on the start menu.

(Snip from Help and Support)
If you receive warnings that your virtual memory is low, you'll need to
increase the minimum size of your paging file. Windows sets the initial
minimum size of the paging file at the amount of random access memory (RAM)
installed on your computer plus 300 megabytes (MB), and the maximum size at
3 times the amount of RAM installed on your computer. If you see warnings at
these recommended levels, then increase the minimum and maximum sizes.

1.. open System.

2.. In the left pane, click Advanced system settings. If you are prompted
for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide
confirmation.

3.. On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.

4.. Click the Advanced tab, and then, under Virtual memory, click Change.

5.. Clear the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check
box.

6.. Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging
file you want to change.

7.. Click Custom size, type a new size in megabytes in the Initial size
(MB) or Maximum size (MB) box, click Set, and then click OK.

Increases in size usually don't require a restart, but if you decrease the
size, you'll need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
We recommend that you don't disable or delete the paging file.

Once PE 2.0 is working to you satisfaction, one thing that may enhance it
and
other operations, open Windows Defender click on tools then click on
_Software Explore_
Category: *Startup Programs* You see information of what programs are
starting when you
start Windows, Then click on _Show for all users_, then disable the startup
programs you don't need running at startup.

I feel PE 2.0 was most likely when installed is already running in
compatibility mode for XP
and the Program Compatibility Assistant is saying if you want this program
to run Change the size of virtual memory.

As far as your concerns as to how much of your installed memory (RAM) is
being used
at given times, don't be read the following article to better understand how
the Vista handles
memory.
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000688.html

After you try this and run PE post back and let others know how it went or
with other questions concerning this issue should you have them.

H Brown







"BudV" <BudVitoff@(NO)att.(SPAM)net> wrote in message
news:...
> Running under Vista Home Premium SP1.
>
> I just loaded Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 (which had been running
> previously under WinXP with 500MB RAM) into my new PC with 3GB RAM. It
> would not run and requested that I increase Windows Virtual RAM!
>
> Task Manager shows RAM with Total=2939MB, Cached=2080MB, and Free=20MB.
> My first guess is that the problem has to do with having an administrator
> and five standard users, four of whom are minimum-user kids and should be
> removed (along with the kids). Am I right?

"H Brown" <> wrote in message
news:%236l$...
> Hi Bud
> Thanks for posting back,
> Even though Adobe reports that Photoshop Elements version 2.0 is not
> compatible with Vista 32 or 64 bit, other user of Vista 32 bit have PE 2.0
> running fine. They also say no problems when they installed the PE
> program.
> However like you they got the message to increase Windows Virtual Ram.
> When
> they did increase Virtual Ram Adobe Photoshop Elements Version 2.0 ran
> well.
>
> (snip) from
> http://www.computing.net/answers/win...sta-/3242.html
> Name: dsarosh
> Date: November 3, 2008 at 02:39:35 Pacific
> OS: Vista Ultimate 32 bit
> CPU/Ram: C2D E6550, 4GB 667Mhz
>
> Hi,
> I have to use Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 on my comp since the newest
> version 5.0 and 6.0 do not have the batch conversion features that are
> required.
>
> Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 installs fine on vista, but it doest not run
> by
> default. I get an error prompt that reads something like "there is not
> enough virtual memory in the installation directory".
>
> If I go to system properties>performance settings>advanced>change virtual
> memory on my C drive to 5000 then the application runs perfectly.
>
> Below are instructions from your Help and Support files on how to change
> your
> setting for your paging file/virtual memory. From the start menu click on
> and open
> Help and Support, in the page that opens find the search box at top and
> type
> in
> "Change the size of virtual memory" the search result in H&S will have a
> link
> that says "Change the size of virtual memory" click on that link and the
> directions will
> have a link so you can open *System*. You could do the same thing in the
> search bar
> above the start button after clicking start. Type the word System and
> click
> on it
> on the start menu.
>
> (Snip from Help and Support)
> If you receive warnings that your virtual memory is low, you'll need to
> increase the minimum size of your paging file. Windows sets the initial
> minimum size of the paging file at the amount of random access memory
> (RAM)
> installed on your computer plus 300 megabytes (MB), and the maximum size
> at
> 3 times the amount of RAM installed on your computer. If you see warnings
> at
> these recommended levels, then increase the minimum and maximum sizes.
>
> 1.. open System.
>
> 2.. In the left pane, click Advanced system settings. If you are
> prompted
> for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or
> provide
> confirmation.
>
> 3.. On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.
>
> 4.. Click the Advanced tab, and then, under Virtual memory, click Change.
>
> 5.. Clear the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check
> box.
>
> 6.. Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging
> file you want to change.
>
> 7.. Click Custom size, type a new size in megabytes in the Initial size
> (MB) or Maximum size (MB) box, click Set, and then click OK.
>
> Increases in size usually don't require a restart, but if you decrease the
> size, you'll need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
> We recommend that you don't disable or delete the paging file.
>
> Once PE 2.0 is working to you satisfaction, one thing that may enhance it
> and
> other operations, open Windows Defender click on tools then click on
> _Software Explore_
> Category: *Startup Programs* You see information of what programs are
> starting when you
> start Windows, Then click on _Show for all users_, then disable the
> startup
> programs you don't need running at startup.
>
> I feel PE 2.0 was most likely when installed is already running in
> compatibility mode for XP
> and the Program Compatibility Assistant is saying if you want this program
> to run Change the size of virtual memory.
>
> As far as your concerns as to how much of your installed memory (RAM) is
> being used
> at given times, don't be read the following article to better understand
> how
> the Vista handles
> memory.
> http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000688.html
>
> After you try this and run PE post back and let others know how it went or
> with other questions concerning this issue should you have them.
>
> H Brown
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "BudV" <BudVitoff@(NO)att.(SPAM)net> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Running under Vista Home Premium SP1.
>>
>> I just loaded Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 (which had been running
>> previously under WinXP with 500MB RAM) into my new PC with 3GB RAM. It
>> would not run and requested that I increase Windows Virtual RAM!
>>
>> Task Manager shows RAM with Total=2939MB, Cached=2080MB, and Free=20MB.
>> My first guess is that the problem has to do with having an administrator
>> and five standard users, four of whom are minimum-user kids and should be
>> removed (along with the kids). Am I right?
>

I'm running a 32 bit version of Vista Home Premium SP1.

I changed the virtual RAM specs to 3GB minimum and 5GB maximum. PSE2 now
loads well, and so far it seems to be behaving itself. Thank you all for
the help.

Mr. Brown, you said that "only one user can be logged on at a time." Did
you mean that literally, or was it more like "the PC can deal with only one
logged on user at a time." When I split this system up into one adult
(primary) user and four kid users, it was because I wanted to allow Mom to
interrupt Jacob's schoolwork to do a quick Google search without making him
log off, lose his train of thought, logging back on, then trying to get back
to where he was before the interruption. Ignoring for the moment the
resource penalties of staying logged on, this is legitimate, isn't it?


"H Brown" <> wrote in message
news:%236l$...
> Hi Bud
> Thanks for posting back,
> Even though Adobe reports that Photoshop Elements version 2.0 is not
> compatible with Vista 32 or 64 bit, other user of Vista 32 bit have PE 2.0
> running fine. They also say no problems when they installed the PE
> program.
> However like you they got the message to increase Windows Virtual Ram.
> When
> they did increase Virtual Ram Adobe Photoshop Elements Version 2.0 ran
> well.
>
> (snip) from
> http://www.computing.net/answers/win...sta-/3242.html
> Name: dsarosh
> Date: November 3, 2008 at 02:39:35 Pacific
> OS: Vista Ultimate 32 bit
> CPU/Ram: C2D E6550, 4GB 667Mhz
>
> Hi,
> I have to use Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 on my comp since the newest
> version 5.0 and 6.0 do not have the batch conversion features that are
> required.
>
> Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 installs fine on vista, but it doest not run
> by
> default. I get an error prompt that reads something like "there is not
> enough virtual memory in the installation directory".
>
> If I go to system properties>performance settings>advanced>change virtual
> memory on my C drive to 5000 then the application runs perfectly.
>
> Below are instructions from your Help and Support files on how to change
> your
> setting for your paging file/virtual memory. From the start menu click on
> and open
> Help and Support, in the page that opens find the search box at top and
> type
> in
> "Change the size of virtual memory" the search result in H&S will have a
> link
> that says "Change the size of virtual memory" click on that link and the
> directions will
> have a link so you can open *System*. You could do the same thing in the
> search bar
> above the start button after clicking start. Type the word System and
> click
> on it
> on the start menu.
>
> (Snip from Help and Support)
> If you receive warnings that your virtual memory is low, you'll need to
> increase the minimum size of your paging file. Windows sets the initial
> minimum size of the paging file at the amount of random access memory
> (RAM)
> installed on your computer plus 300 megabytes (MB), and the maximum size
> at
> 3 times the amount of RAM installed on your computer. If you see warnings
> at
> these recommended levels, then increase the minimum and maximum sizes.
>
> 1.. open System.
>
> 2.. In the left pane, click Advanced system settings. If you are
> prompted
> for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or
> provide
> confirmation.
>
> 3.. On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.
>
> 4.. Click the Advanced tab, and then, under Virtual memory, click Change.
>
> 5.. Clear the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check
> box.
>
> 6.. Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging
> file you want to change.
>
> 7.. Click Custom size, type a new size in megabytes in the Initial size
> (MB) or Maximum size (MB) box, click Set, and then click OK.
>
> Increases in size usually don't require a restart, but if you decrease the
> size, you'll need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
> We recommend that you don't disable or delete the paging file.
>
> Once PE 2.0 is working to you satisfaction, one thing that may enhance it
> and
> other operations, open Windows Defender click on tools then click on
> _Software Explore_
> Category: *Startup Programs* You see information of what programs are
> starting when you
> start Windows, Then click on _Show for all users_, then disable the
> startup
> programs you don't need running at startup.
>
> I feel PE 2.0 was most likely when installed is already running in
> compatibility mode for XP
> and the Program Compatibility Assistant is saying if you want this program
> to run Change the size of virtual memory.
>
> As far as your concerns as to how much of your installed memory (RAM) is
> being used
> at given times, don't be read the following article to better understand
> how
> the Vista handles
> memory.
> http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000688.html
>
> After you try this and run PE post back and let others know how it went or
> with other questions concerning this issue should you have them.
>
> H Brown
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "BudV" <BudVitoff@(NO)att.(SPAM)net> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Running under Vista Home Premium SP1.
>>
>> I just loaded Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 (which had been running
>> previously under WinXP with 500MB RAM) into my new PC with 3GB RAM. It
>> would not run and requested that I increase Windows Virtual RAM!
>>
>> Task Manager shows RAM with Total=2939MB, Cached=2080MB, and Free=20MB.
>> My first guess is that the problem has to do with having an administrator
>> and five standard users, four of whom are minimum-user kids and should be
>> removed (along with the kids). Am I right?
>

On Sun, 26 Apr 2009 12:01:09 -0500, "BudV"
<BudVitoff@(NO)att.(SPAM)net> wrote:

>Mr. Brown, you said that "only one user can be logged on at a time." Did
>you mean that literally, or was it more like "the PC can deal with only one
>logged on user at a time." When I split this system up into one adult
>(primary) user and four kid users, it was because I wanted to allow Mom to
>interrupt Jacob's schoolwork to do a quick Google search without making him
>log off, lose his train of thought, logging back on, then trying to get back
>to where he was before the interruption. Ignoring for the moment the
>resource penalties of staying logged on, this is legitimate, isn't it?

Perfectly legit, and the intended use of the "switch user" facility. I
believe his comment was in relation to available resources, which drop
somewhat when more than one user is logged in and running programs.