MemOptimizer | Pointstone Software, LLC

What is Memory Defragmentation?

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:16:36 +0000

Whenever a Windows based program is running, it's consuming memory resources - unfortunately many Windows programs do not "clean up" after themselves and often leave valuable memory "locked", preventing other programs from taking advantage of it and slowing your computer's performance!

Memory Defragmentation recovers memory from all running processes on your PC by reclaiming the no longer used portion of memory from programs (which due to bad programming does not get released after using).

The Memory Defragmentation procedure is completely safe. When a program that has been defragmented requires more memory, it simply occupy more memory address automatically.

What is memory?

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:16:07 +0000

A little of history

These days, no matter how much memory your computer has, it never seems to be quite enough. Not long ago, it was unheard of for a PC (Personal Computer), to have more than 1 or 2 MB (Megabytes) of memory. Today, most systems require 128MB to run basic applications. And up to 512MB or more is needed for optimal performance when using graphical and multimedia programs.

As an indication of how much things have changed over the past two decades, consider this: in 1981, referring to computer memory, Bill Gates said, "640K (roughly 1/2 of a megabyte) ought to be enough for anybody."

What is memory?

Memory is the main place where your computer stores and reads information while it is running. That's part of the OS and software you're running and also data he's working with.

The main difference between memory and your harddrive is that memory is a pure electronic device and you can access every part of it in very short time by just sending the adress where you want to put/get your data. Memory is a temporary storage as it only works as long as it has power. If you shut off the power every information in it is lost.

Why is it so important?

Memory is important because it's what keeps your computer running quickly. When you have a lot of programs running, they may consume all your memory. When this happens, your computer has to use your hard disk for memory. Because hard disks are almost a hundred times slower than memory, your computer slows to a crawl when it runs out of memory. It also often becomes unstable.

Can MemOptimizer make my system unstable?

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:18:00 +0000

No. If anything, because it increases the amount of memory available to applications, your system should become more stable. It installs no VxDs or drivers and does not modify your system files in any way.

Why does MemOptimizer not always recover up to the Target setting?

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:19:56 +0000

Because if you set the target too high, you've set an impossible goal! MemOptimizer will recover as much RAM as possible, and can usually get up to your target level (though the higher the level, the more work MemOptimizer must do, and hence the longer it will take).

Note that on recent Windows versions, the kernel manages the memory in such a way that as soon as memory is recovered, it is used by waiting applications and the operating system, so the displayed value may never equal the target level. It's still doing its job, though, even if not apparent!

Can MemOptimizer really recover memory leaks?

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:20:36 +0000

While it cannot recover them from the address space (the application would fault if it did indeed try to use that memory at some point) it can recover the physical RAM leaked, making it available for use by the operating system and other applications.

Can MemOptimizer improve gaming performance?

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:21:17 +0000

Yes. Let's say you start a game, and part way in, it suddenly demands memory for graphics, etc. Without MemOptimizer, your system would visibly pause as other applications and parts of the operating system were page-faulted out to make room. If you "Defragment and Recover" before starting the game, MemOptimizer should make a noticeable improvement.

A new feature has been introduced with version 2.0, that allows to create a special shortcut that will recover memory before running a program or game.

Sometimes my system seems slower after recovering RAM... why?

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:22:08 +0000

If you have your "Target" level of RAM to recover set too high, MemOptimizer may reclaim memory from the file cache, or flush system DLLs (such as the shell and OLE) out of memory. When you flip to an application that needs these, they must be paged back in. Try setting your Target level to a lower level. Note that for games that do not use much of the operating system, a higher Target level is better, since more memory will be available to the game. Remember that too much free RAM is as good as RAM in your desk drawer: nice to own but unused! A good compromise takes a while to discover, but that's why we give you the control to adjust it!