How do i fix the error i get,{your virtual memory is low , windows is increasing it.paging file.}?

Question

I have XP PRO SP2 / hard drive space is about 76 GB. with 90% free.also i have 127MB of RAM.
do i have to install more memory? or do i have to change a setting.
Thank You.
also is virtual the same as RAM?

Thanks peekay, i will get another card of memory, was looking this weekend at tiger direct.com, was cheap enough anyway.also if i change to a 256 MB vid card. mine is only 8 bit,i want a 32 bit.should i go over that on the RAM?
thank you for your help.

Answer 1

it's not an error, windows is just telling you what it's doing.

virtual memory via the pagefile is the use of spare hard disk space to supplement your ram memory, but it is far slower to access than actual 'real' physical ram memory.

to make your virtual memory larger by default so you see the message less often, follow these steps from your desktop:
• right click 'my computer'
• choose 'properties'
• click the 'advanced' tab
• click the 'settings' tab in the 'performance' section
• click the 'advanced' tab
• click 'change' in the 'virtual memory' section
• change the 'maximum size' box to say 5000 (5gb)
• click 'ok'
• click 'ok'
• click 'ok'

you've just told windows it can use about 5gb of your 76gb hard drive as virtual memory if it finds your 128mb of real ram is not enough.

incidentally, your 128mb is at the bottom end of what microsoft recommends you have to run windows xp pro - ideally you should have 256mb or more to run windows xp pro smoothly.

EDIT:
standard ram memory, and the memory on a video card are for different purposes. getting a video/graphics card with memory on will make *no* difference to the virtual memory message because the memory on a video/graphics card is not used for normal computer operations but for processing games etc.

if you find increasing the virtual memory on your pc isn't sufficient, increase your computer's 'normal' ram memory by installing a larger memory module in your pc - any computer store can give you the right kind of normal memory module.

Answer 2

Virtual memory is your hard drive space being used as memory. You can change this amount by right clicking on My Computer and go to Properties. Then click the Advanced tab. Then under performance, click settings. I would not use more than 3gb max.

Answer 3

I actually get the same exact error a lot. People tell me to delete unecessary files. I dont think virtual memory is the same as RAM. Try this site, it might help.

Answer 4

128 meg of ram is not much nowdays. i'd upgrade to 512 meg minimum. and what peekay says is right too.

Answer 5

yes you should install more memory. youre running with the bare minimum.
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/virtual-memory.htm
will tell you what virtual memory is

Answer 6

buy more computer ram or just a verry new power pc