I upgraded my computer to Windows XP last month. I did so mostly because a new printer that I got for Christmas would only work with computer having XP or higher. I was using Windows ME before the upgrade.

OK, when I upgraded to XP I think it took lots of my computer's memory...right? The reason I ask is now my computer seems to be running slower and I just bought a new computer game called SimCity 4 deluxe edition and every time I try to get the game to load I get a error message about something about my computers Virtual memory being to low to run the game and then the game doesn't work.

This may be a stupid question but memory and drive space is two different things right? I been deleting tons of stuff off my computer but my computers memory doesn't improve but drive space seems to do so.

I want to improve my computer memory. I did a little research but still don't know want to buy to improve my computer's memory. I like to do this as cheap as possible. Would buying a USB Card Reader like this one at this link: http://www.shop4tech.com/item3183.html or this one: http://www.shop4tech.com/item5511.html and then buy a memory stick or something like it, help improve my computer's memory or would this just again improve my drive space or do nothing to help me with my memory problem?

Could I use USB Card Reader and memory stick and then use the memory off the memory stick to play the SimCity 4 game that I bought or do you think this would work?

I thought I seen some kind of external memory box online a few days ago too but can't seem to find one tonight to use as a example. If you know what I talking about do you think this would work?

I'd like to get something cheap around $50 to improve the memory space on my computer so I can play the game and maybe get my computer running a little better.

Please help me by recommending something so I don't buy things that I don't need.

Here somethings about my computer that might be helpful to you on helping me:

Video Card : NVIDIA GeForce 256 (Microsoft Corporation)
Video Driver : nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version : 6.14.10.5673

Sound Card : SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio
Sound Driver : smwdm.sys
Driver Version : 5.12.01.3039

DirectX : DirectX 9
Operating System Windows XP Service Pack 2 5.1.2600


CPU Info

CPU Count : 1
CPU Type : 751 MHz AuthenticAMD Duron
6 3 1

RAM : 64 MB Total
12 MB Free
Virtual RAM : 180 MB Total
30 MB Free

Operating System : Windows XP Service Pack 2 5.1.2600


Default Browser : Internet Explorer
Version : 6.0.2900.2180


Number of Displays : 1



Primary display device

Description : NVIDIA GeForce 256 (Microsoft Corporation)
Manufacturer : NVIDIA
Video Memory : 32 MB

Main Driver : nv4_disp.dll
Version : 6.14.10.5673


Supported Display Modes for the game SimCity 4:

| 16 | 256 | 16 bits| 24 bits| 32 bits
---------------------------------------------------
640 x 480| * | * | * | | *
800 x 600| * | * | * | | *
1024x 768| | * | * | | *
1152x 864| | * | * | | *
1280x1024| | * | * | | *
1600x1200| | | | |

------------------------------------------------------------

----Sound, Video and Game Controllers-----------------------

Description : SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio
Manufacturer : Analog Devices, Inc.

Main Driver : smwdm.sys
Version : 5.12.01.3039

------------------------------------------------------------

----Direct X------------------------------------------------

DirectX Info
Version : DirectX 9

DirectDraw Info
Version : 5.03.2600.2180
Certified : Not certified

DirectSound Info
Version : 5.03.2600.2180
Certified : Certified

DirectPlay Info
Version : 5.00.2134.0001

DirectInput Info
Version : 5.03.2600.2180
----Drive Information---------------------------------------

----CDRom Info----------------------------------------------


Drive Letter A
Volume Name :
Type : Floppy
File System :
Total Space : 0.00 KB
Free Space : 0.00 KB

Drive Letter C
Volume Name :
Type : Fixed
File System : FAT32
Total Space : 21.45 GB
Free Space : 14.83 GB

Drive Letter D
Volume Name : SYSTEM_SAV
Type : Fixed
File System : FAT32
Total Space : 6.48 GB
Free Space : 5.32 GB

Drive Letter E
Volume Name : SC4DELUXE2
Type : CDRom
File System : CDFS
Total Space : 641.38 MB
Free Space : 0.00 KB

Drive Letter F
Volume Name :
Type : CDRom
File System :
Total Space : 0.00 KB
Free Space : 0.00 KB
rimary monitor

Description : COMPAQ FS740 Color Monitor
Manufacturer : Microsoft
Max. Resolution : 1280,1024

Description : PCTEL Platinum V.90 Modem
Driver

Increase your RAM memory to at least 1 GB and 2 would be better. This is a very simple improvement...RAM memory is a card that you install.

How to increase RAM memory]

My best advice is to buy from http://crucial.com using their memory upgrade tool. This tells you what kind of memory you need and what they recommend.

The memory is sent to you along with very good instructions. It would take about ten minutes to install this. Be sure to unplug your computer and to follow all directions carefully.

Yes, storage memory and RAM memory are different. RAM memory is what your system uses when running which is why it is so important. Storage memory is just that...space capacity for storing computer data.

Dwight

Thanks Dwight,

That site was very helpful. I found the RAM memory card that I need but decided to search online for a better price. I found one like the one they recommended on Buy.com for around $30 so I bought it.

I read on Bizrate.com that that Buy.com can be slow at times on shipping but hopefully I'll get it soon.

Thanks again for helping me. I learn so much from you and others on AP. When people ask how I know things that I know about computers, I tell them it because of members like you on AP.

-Matt-