Virtual memory on grandads pc low, how do i fix it?

Question

running win xp home. is there an easy way to adjust the virtual memory?

Answer 1

Virtual memory is an extension of your computer's physical memory (memory chips or RAMs). In order to be able to run multiple programs at once, the computer looks for areas of RAM that have not been used recently and copy them onto the hard disk into so called page files. This frees up space in the RAM to load the new application.
The hard drive (virtual memory) is much slower than actual memory chips. When you don't have enough RAM, the operating system has to constantly swap information back and forth between RAM and the hard disk. This is called thrashing, and it can make your computer feel incredibly slow.

What you have to do is open computer management console: To open Computer Management, click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. Double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Computer Management. In the console tree, right-click Computer Management (Local), and then select Properties.

On the Advanced tab, click Performance Options, and under Virtual memory, click Change. In the Drive list, click the drive that contains the paging file you want to change. Under Paging file size for selected drive, type a new paging file size in megabytes in the Initial Size (MB) or Maximum Size (MB) box, and then click Set. If you decrease the size of either the minimum or maximum page file settings, you must restart your computer to see the effects of those changes. Increases generally do not require a restart.

Or you can add RAM. To run XP, you need at least 512M of RAM. Adding RAM is not terribly expensive nor too difficult to do. First look at documentation on the computer if you have it, and that will tell you how much RAM is installed, and how much the motherboard and processor will accept.

Answer 2

Virtual memory is the swap space alloted on the hard disk. It has a minimum and a maximum value. Usually minimum is equal to the physical RAM on your pc. and the maximum is two and half times the RAM.
You can find the virtual memory setting on the location in winXP
start > control panel > system > advanced > performance settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory Change
select the hard disk partition.
select the custom size radio button. Enter values.Press OK
Allocate VM on all partitions of the hard disk.

http://yanswers.blogspot.com/2006/10/pc-running-slow.html

Answer 3

Control Panel > System > Advanced Tap > Performance Settings > Advanced Tap > Virtual Memory Change > Custom Size.
Only a quick fix , you really should get more ram , min 512MB
good luck

Answer 4

First of all, you should not need to make that adustment. Go to RUN and type MSCONFIG. Uncheck many of the startup programs that he does not need. Keep the Anti-virus alive, but you can uncheck the AOL client stuff, Weather crap and other things that really slow things down.

Then, I would suspect SpyWare. You should have an anti-spyware solution on your computer. I recommend that you go to http://www.download.com and get AD-AWARE and SpyBot Search & Destory. Install, run, update and scan your computer with both programs.

This double whammy will help keep you safe and running faster

You might run DISK CLEANUP from the System Tools section. Then get into the C drive Properties and go to the TOOLS section. Click on CHECK NOW, check both tests then allow the test to run after startup. Restart the computer and wait for that test to run. (about an hour). Then run DEFRAG.

At this point with DEFRAGGED hard drive space, look for the Virtual memory setting is under the MY COMPUTER Properties. Just look for the Advanced section.

Good luck and Happy Computing!

Answer 5

Start, control panel, system, then advanced

then click settings, then advanced again.

Then click change in the virtual memory box at the bottom

Then tick the custom size box and change the settings. 3 times the size of your memory is good. Or at least 750MB.

Answer 6

its quite simple actualy goto the my computer icon and right click
then click properties
then click advanced
click the settings tab in the performance module
set the virtual memory to over half your physical memory
hope this helps

Answer 7

right click on My Computer then click on properties then click on advanced.Under the "Perfomance" box click on settings then click on advanced.Under the "Virtual Memory" box click on change.Then type the amount you want.

Answer 8

Nope take it to a computer shop and get a memory upgrade or if you have good knowledge of computer open the case and insert a new card.

Answer 9

http://bartman1.blogspot.com/ this site tells how

Answer 10

just buy a new pc?