To add to Alfred's post, there are two type's of memory. RAM and Virtual Memory (a Windows system file). The data in RAM is always lost when the computer is shut down or rebooted. Virtual Memory aids the computer by acting as a buffer between RAM and the hard drive. Thus allowing the program to run without accessing the hard drive constantly. Art >There is a difference between memory and hard drive space. > >Memory is only used while the computer is running. Anything put there is >lost when the computer is shut down. Memory is normally only a fraction as >large as the hard drive space. > >Hard drive storage is more like an internal tape recorder, actually it is >several disks sealed in a unit. You can store things there and erase them >and record something else, but what you put there will stay there when you >shut the computer down and be ready to load some of it's contents into >memory when you need it. The hard disk drive is where you store files for >use later. These files can be a program, parts of a program or data files. >Programs and parts of a program are loaded onto the hard drive at the >factory as the operating system, probably some version of Windows, and some >other programs. You can then purchase other programs and put them on the >hard drive so you can call on them to do something like sort out your family >tree. The family tree itself, with all of the names, events connections and >pictures are all conxidered data files. > >When you call the Family Tree program, it is loaded into memory from the >hard drive and then it probably loads the family data file(s) so you can >work on your tree. When you close it down, it saves the information you >added or edited back to the hard drive so it will be there the next time you >want it. > >Please try to learn and use the correct terms, and keep others using them, >it makes finding and fixing problems much easier when everyone speaks the >same language.. > >You can partition your hard drive so that it looks like more than one >storage device, having more than one letter, but the operating system does >as it will with the memory. > > > >Now, If I could just learn to spell the words I use like everyone else, then >maybe, just maybe they could understand me. <};-) > >Alfred D. Eller >RootsMagic-Users-Admin@RootsWeb.com >================ ============== > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "John" <jballard@dslextreme.com> >To: <GEN-COMP-TIPS-L@rootsweb.com> >Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 10:46 PM >Subject: Re: [Gen-Comp-Tips] Memory problems > > > > When the memory is split into partitions, only one of them can be used for > > normal use, for the C drive, etc. . The rest of the hard drive is just > > available for saving things, etc. So your effective hard drive becomes > > drastically smaller. > > > > John Ballard > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "bob gillis" <rpgillis@bellatlantic.net> > > To: <GEN-COMP-TIPS-L@rootsweb.com> > > Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 5:42 AM > > Subject: Re: [Gen-Comp-Tips] Memory problems > > > > > > > Janet Graham Theberge wrote: > > > > > > > > I was wondering....My hard drive crashed this past summer, and we took > > it to > > > > the shop where they saved all my old info, then partitioned my hard > > drive > > > > and installed Windows XP for me. Might it be possible that my second > > memory > > > > card is no longer "hooked up"? Or is it possible that all my old stuff > > is > > > > still on one memory card while I am using the other one? Can they >work > > > > separately, or do they automatically work together? > > > > > > > > Sorry to be such a pain, but I still don't understand how memory, ram, > > hard > > > > drive, etc. works in my computer. > > > > > > > > > > Janet, go to your libary and get a book "Computers for Dummies", one of > > > a series of black and yellow cover books on a number of topics. Or a > > > similar books and read it. It will help you to understand your computer > > > a bit better. > > > > > > bob gillis > > >