What uses up my virtual memory in my pc?

Question

I keep getting this window that says I am short on virtual memory. What should I do?

Answer 1

Virtual memory means that your computer is using your hard drive as memory. This only happens when you run out of system memory or RAM. To change the amount of virtual memory that you have: right click My Computer, click on properties, click the Advanced tab, under performance click the settings button, while in performance options click on the Advanced tab, under virtual memory click change, change the amount of virtual memory that you want to have.

As a side note, I would highly recommend more system RAM for your computer. Virtual memory is extremely slow and if you are consistently running on virtual memory your computer will run very slow.

Answer 2

Try a Defrag if windows says your hard disk is too full then that is the most likely problem. Use CCleaner as stated above It will remove any temp files.

Think about when the message started did you install any new programs? If so remove them.

You do not need more ram when you first bought your computer did you get that error? More Ram is always better but is not the cause of the problem!

You Definitly have somthing hoging reasorces usually somthing bad! ADD MEMORY AFTER resolve the problem!

to make this eaiser
Uninstall any programs that start at startup that you don't need


In addition windows automaticly sets your cache to be optimal performance. I do not reccomend tweaking your cache


to make this eaiser
Uninstall any programs that start at startup that you don't need

virtual memory is actually cache memory on your hard disk (long term memory) its purpose is to keep commonly used files ready easy access for the RAM (short term memory) . when you get that message its is usually spyware malware related.

1st make sure your virus software is updateed

2nd run virus scanner (if your antivirus is expired) uninstall it and download AVGfree update then scan

3rd download update and install Spybot Search and Destroy and Adaware SE

Remove all they find

4th run bitdefender online scanner www.bitdefender.com install the software it requires for your browser.

If that does not work
A. Reinstall Windows
B. Contact a local computer repair store

! Dont go to geek squad ! trust me

Answer 3

Ivarsen40 is 100% correct. Take what he said and run with it. Now you may ask, how large should my page file(virtual memory) be. That all depends on what programs you are running, the size of your ram and the available space on your hard drive. I wouldn't bother downloading any cleaners, but if you are low on hard drive space you may want to consider buying a second hard drive. A good rule of thumb is virtual shold be 150% the size of your ram memory. I have 2048 of ram(512MB dedicated to my graphics card) and a 10GB paging file(way more than I should ever need. I don't mind it being large because I have plenty of HD space(2 250GB SATA 3GB/s on RAID 0). I would sometimes get your warning message with photoshop.

If you were my father, I would tell you to go on eBay and get the lowest price HD identical to your own(mine was a WD2500JS- $65 shipped). Use a CC and buy from a 99%+ seller- check price watch first- sometimes they can be cheaper, but ot usually. Also, make sure your ram is the highest speed your motherboard can use- you can find this on their website if ou don't know. Tose 2 things should make a night and day difference in how your computer runs-

If you don't want to spend a dime- get rid of what ever you can- run your defragment program often and make sure you change the size of your paging file.

EDIT: Just read what drunketch said- 512MB only gives you 768MB with virtual and physical ram. That is just not enough for todays apps. make sure you have at least 2GB total. The numbers are pretty tough to recommend- It depends more on what you are doing- if you have time, go to futuremark and download their free pcmark05- after you run it, try changing the size of your paging file and see if it makes much difference. If you only have 256MB, you should at least get another stick of 256.

Answer 4

Your hard drive reserves a certain amount of space for virtual memory. When the hard drive gets filled up, it has no place let to run this operation. Download this free, and safe clean up program called CCleaner. Also you might want to unintall stuff you haven't used in a long time, programs, old games. Chow

Answer 5

I read this on a tech website.

For each of your HDD's, make their virtual memory 2 times your physical memory for optimal performance. I have been doing this and it has sped my computer up signifigantly.

Ex.

you have 256 mb of physical memory. so you set each of your HDD's with 512 mb of virtual memory.

Answer 6

Sweetheart, just buy and install more RAM, and your problem should be solved. The overuse of RAM will be picked up by the extra memory you purchase.

Good Luck

Answer 7

goto your c: drive and the delete the file PAGEFILE.SYS .. it may be hidden so goto folder options under the "tools" menu in windows explorer and the click the view tab and enable the check buttons "show hidden files" and "show system files" or something similar.

that SHOULD fix the problem.

Answer 8

I suspect there are virus in your computer. Use a good antivirus program to scan for virus. Try AVG Free 7.5. Also check for spyware.