virtual memory?

Question

What is virtual memory.It says 'virtual memory' is low on my computer?
My son has downloaded several games from the internet. I tried to uninstall few as the computer slowed down.There is no uninstall feature nor can it be deleted. I tried to remove it from Add/remove programs but cannot. Can someone help me?
tks

Answer 1

Virtual memory is space on the hard drive that the computer pretends is "RAM" memory to use in making calculations when RAM is not available. A lot of info needs to be kept for calculations, so if you don't have enough RAM then the computer has to find space elsewhere, hence it creates a temporary file on the hard drive in which to store this data. When you shut your computer down, this file is removed. However, the hard drive operates at much slower speeds than RAM, so if your computer has to use the virtual memory then it makes the computer run slower. Windows will automatically increase the size of this temporary file if it is running out of working space (ie. virtual memory is running low), thereby making more space so it's not too low anymore.

Games downloaded from the Internet, if not from a reputable site such as Yahoo or MSN, can carry with them ad-ware and spy-ware. Frequently these can cause your computer to slow down because they run all the time, and they will often try to make it difficult to uninstall. The steps needed may vary, depending on the actual games/programs. In general, try running Spybot Search & Destroy, and Ad-Aware. However, these may not clear up all of your problems. Also, you can try to look in the Start menu (Start button, then click on "All Programs") and look for anything referring to these new games. There may be an uninstall option there (though from what you wrote, this is probably unlikely).

Answer 2

This is system memory that is simulated by the hard drive. When all the RAM is being used (for example if there are many programs open at the same time) the computer will swap data to the hard drive and back to give the impression that there is slightly more memory.

This is also a system feature that can not be uninstalled. If you are talking about those games, then it is also possible that they are standalone game and can be removed simply by deleting the files. Not every program can be uninstalled from Add/Remove program, some simply give you an uninstall file inside the Program Group.

Answer 3

virtual memory is your hard disk. when the physical memory cannot handle the need for memory to save and run all the application, the virtual memory is on the rescue. you just have to configure it. right click My Computer>Advance Tab> Performance Settings> Advance tab> virtual memory Change button... you can custom to higher size or just let the system manage. good luck!

Answer 4

it's a part of the hard drive used as a part of the main memory "RAM"
to avoid this message just make sure that there is enough desk sapce on the primary drive " the C drive if u installed the windows there"
try deleting any thing that u don't c usefull and move the other things to a different drive

Answer 5

Virtual memory is a section of hard-disk used as RAM, I believe. It's slower than RAM, but valuable in do or die situations.

So if your virtual memory (sort of the last resort) is running low, I'd be careful, you're lurking near a crash.

Answer 6

Virtual memory is a memory management technique.

It is used by multitasking computer operating systems. this means u hear songs, browse the net, download a file all at a time.

check....the "Your system is low on virtual memory".....

http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;837869

if it seems 2 be techie...call ur system engineer

Answer 7

go to contal panal and select system go to proformance and click vercalmemory you there can change the size of it.If you set it to low your pc won't start good luck.