why would my computer use the virtaul memory, when I have lots of regular memory?

Question

windows XP

Answer 1

The "regular memory" as you stated is the RAM (random access memory), not the hard drive memory. Most computers have 1GB of RAM or less. This is not a lot when you access programs that edit pictures, rip videos, etc.

When the available RAM is getting low, the Windows XP switches over to use virtual memory (which uses much slower hard drive memory). You can usually tell when it does this as things get slow and you can hear the hard drive crunching or see the hard drive light blinking. If your computer has plenty of RAM memory, chances are good that Windows will never have to go into virtual memory.

Answer 2

Virtual memory is different from your regular memory..........two separate things.
Virtual memory = RAM and is used by the processor to load programs that u run on the comp.
Regular Memory = Hard Disk and is used to store data by the user.

However some part of your regular memory is used as virtual memory. This part is called as cache memory..........but this is used only after the entire virtual memory is used up and the comp still needs more virtual memory to perform vital operations. The size of the cache memory cannot exceed a certain value determined by certain rules.

Answer 3

Windows XP ? .... because that's what you're advanced features setup is saying it should do . If you have enough physical ram you can disable the swap file entirely.

This option is entirely yours.

My computer / properties / advanced / performance settings / advanced ..... choose "disable".


regards,
Philip T

Answer 4

Having moe than one site open at one time..Staying on a site for a long time...Playing music too..