virtual memory?

Question

i keep getting a message that says my virtual memory is running low. it says it needs to make a page bigger and that other applications need to be closed. is this bad? what can i do to increase my memory?

Answer 1

OK go to start, then right click on my computer, then go to properties, then go to the advanced tab, then under performance click on settings... then click on the advanced tab (in the new screen) and then down the bottom you will see the virtual memory... click that and give it more hard drive space... you can also solve this by getting some more RAM from your computer store

Answer 2

Windows uses virtual memory when it doesn't have enough "regular" ... you're using a lot of virtual memory, you're slowing your computer down

The size of the Windows page file is automatically set by Windows when the OS is installed to the recommended size of 150% of the physical RAM installed. After adding memory to the system, this amount is not automatically adjusted and must be manually increased. Proper page file settings are just as important the amount of installed memory for system performance and stability.

From the Windows Desktop will all applications closed, right-click My Computer and choose Properties.

At the bottom of the General Tab, note the amount of currently installed memory (RAM).

Next, choose the Advanced Tab and click the Settings button from the Performance section.


From the Performance Options Window, click the Change button under Virtual Memory


Select the C: drive only from the list and under Custom size, enter the page file size in Megabytes, using the same size for Initial and Maximum.
To determine the correct size, multiple the the number of Gigs of RAM by 1500.
ex: 2.00GB of RAM = 3000Meg Page file size.
Click Set and then OK to exit all open windows.

If the size has been changed, you will be prompted to reboot. Click OK.

Finally, click Yes to reboot.

Answer 3

It means your system is becoming unstable and your RAM is getting full. Once all available RAM is taken your computer uses Virtual memory which is it has your HDD (hard drive) emulate RAM. The only trouble with that is Virtual memory is about 1% the speed of most modern RAM.
You either have too many things running. Or you have programs that cause memory leakage (call for memory when opened but don't release it when they close) or maybe there are spyware and such running on your system. You can add more RAM. If you have XP it is recommended you have at least 512MB but I find most computers work best with a full GB of RAM with XP. Do a scan for spyware. Clean up useless programs that start for no reason out ofyour start up.
If you're not sure what you're doing let a pro do the work.

Answer 4

Virtual memory is a section of your hard drive that is used by your computer much like DRAM is. Microsoft started doing this some time ago--several versions of Windows back--to ensure that older machines could still handle both Windows and whatever application you're running.

While it is possible to enlarge virtual memory (also known as your "paging file"), I doubt it's really needed in your case if

1) You've had your system for some time and have never encountered such a warning.
2) You haven't installed very many memory-intensive programs.
3) You aren't trying to run multiple programs all at once.

In the case of number one above, I hope you've got decent anti-spyware and virus scanners. If you simply haven't run them for awhile, do so now after updating them. If you don't have them at all, I'd recommend doing a google search for Avast! (a free yet very good antivirus program) and Windows Defender (free spyware remover from Microsoft for users of a valid copy of Windows). Viruses and Spyware usually run in the background where you can't see them... but use up system resources. Get rid of them, and your speed (and virtual memory) will come back.

In the case of number two (memory intensive programs), make sure your system's up to these. You may have to install more RAM, or even beef up your video card if it's a graphics-heavy game that makes your system cough.

In the case of number three (multitasking) you've got a choice: Either try to run no more than two programs at any given time, or buy a dual-core processor. Assuming your motherboard supports them. Many older board will... but you may have to update your BIOS first.

If all of the above is of no help to you, you can try increasing your paging file by going to Start/Control Panel/Performance and Maintenance/System/Advanced. You'll see several options, but the one you want says: "Performance." You'll see an option that mentions virtual memory setup... click that tab, and you'll see how much is currently allotted. Your safest bet is to allow Windows to configure the right amount of paging file, but you can increase it manually to see if that makes a difference.

Hopefully there's something useful in all this!

Answer 5

Hi. You have two kinds of memory on a computer. RAM, the hardware kind, and Virtual, the harddrive kind. Here is a better explanation http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=virtual+memory&gwp=13 As answer 1 explains, it is best to get more RAM because it is about 1,000 times faster than virtual.

Answer 6

Have a memory stick put in, you can take it to best buy, than you will be good for a real long time, you will have a lot of added memory.

Answer 7

start -> control panel -> system -> advanced -> performance (settings) ->under performance options click change at the bottom of the window and adjust virtual memory.

Answer 8

It's not bad, just a notification. Only way to get more memory is to buy some...?