An apparatus for limiting volatile computer memory based on available energy in an auxiliary power source comprises an energy monitor module configured to determine an amount of available energy in the auxiliary power source. Also provided is a memory status module configured to determine an amount of volatile computer memory allocated for use in a computer and a memory adjustment module configured to adjust the amount of volatile computer memory allocated for use in the computer based on the amount of available energy in the auxiliary power source. A startup module may be configured to allow the computer to begin moving data normally when the memory adjustment module limits volatile computer memory allocated for use by the computer to a minimum level and the energy monitor module determines that the amount of available energy in the auxiliary power source has reached a minimum level capable of transferring the volatile computer memory allocated for use by the computer to non-volatile computer memory during a computer shutdown.