Why is my virtual memory so low? Yes I have read the answers to previous inquires about this problem.?

Question

My PC has 512 MB of total physical memory ( I added 256)) But I only have 150.90 available. I have 2 GB of total virtual memory with 1.96 still available. My C drive capacity is 67.56 GB with 40.17 GB of free space. I am getting the low virtual memory pop up way too often it seems. I have read the answers you all have given in the past but this happens sometimes as soon as I log on and have nothing running. I have Norton Internet Security 2007, it runs updates automatically. I also have the PC set to run automatic updates weekly. In my mind my PC is current with all it needs to be. This is not a major problem, yet, it is just annoying. Thanks for the help. One more thing, what are add ons? example : do you want to run IE without add ons.

Answer 1

To free up more memory you have to stop the programs that are running in the background when windows starts. There are many you are probably unaware of and don't need.
Here's how to stop many programs from loading when Windows starts up:
To stop those programs from loading go to start==>run==>type in "msconfig" and click OK. The System Configuration Utility will come up. Click the "Startup" tab on top. You will see a list of programs with check marks next to them....these are all programs that load themselves when windows starts. Uncheck all but the ones associated with your anti-virus (if you have one) and any others that you think you may need. You can always redo the steps and enable an item if something is not working right. Click apply and then OK. It will tell you you have to restart your PC. When you restart a box will appear...check off the box so it does not appear every time you start windows.

Answer 2

Just open Task Manager and under the processes tab you will see w/c are eating up your memory. Norton is one and the web browser is another. That's normal. Kill unnecessary processes under your user account but not the system processes.

Go to System in Control Panel. Click Advanced tab, then Performance settings, then Advanced again. "Change Virtual Memory" is at the lower portion. Adjust it there.

Answer 3

If you are running Vista you need 1-2GB RAM.
For XP 512 MB is enough.

Eliminate Non-Essential Programs
Run PC Pitstop "full tests"
http://www.pcpitstop.com/
In the results the "running programs" section will list "programs that can be disabled to improve computer performance". Run msconfig and uncheck the boxes for these programs.

Using MSCONFIG to reduce background programs at startup
http://alri.org/step2/usingmsconfig.htm

Follow step 1:
Uninstall Malware from Windows Add/Remove Program Tab
http://www.techsupportforum.com/security-center/hijackthis-log-help/15968-updated-important-read-before-posting-log.html

Windows Knows Best per:
http://askbobrankin.com/low_virtual_memory.html

If you still see the dreaded "Your system is low on virtual memory" message then the first thing to do is make sure your computer is configured to allow Windows to automatically manage the virtual memory. In Windows XP, follow these steps:

Click Start, then open the Control Panel.
Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.
Click the Advanced tab.
Under Performance, click Settings.
Click the Advanced tab.
Under Virtual memory, click Change.
Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging file (virtual memory) settings that you want to change. In almost every case, this will be your C: drive.
Click to select the "System managed size" option, then click Set.
Click OK three times and restart your computer.

When you allow Windows to manage your virtual memory, it should make the optimum amount of virtual memory available, by automatically shrinking or enlarging the paging file as needed.
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You only need to run Internet Explorer without add-ons if Internet Explorer crashes regularly. If you are having problems with it crashing or suddenly running very slow:

Run Internet Explorer with no add-ons installed
Start - All Programs -Accessories -Systems Tools - Click on “Run Internet Explorer (no add-ons)” If IE runs ok you have one or more bad add-ons.

In IE tools - Programs - Click on “Manage Add-ons”. Disable all add-ons then restart. Enable one add-on and restart. If ok enable another ad-on. Repeat until you find the add-on(s) that are causing the problem.

If this does not work you may need to reinstall IE7, uninstall IE7 with Ad/Remove programs. This will take you back to IE6.
Run Windows Live OneCare “Full Service Scan” http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm
Reboot.
Reinstall IE7
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/default.mspx
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Run "check disk" check both options and restart. (runs a long time)
Run Disk Cleanup then Disk Defragment.
4 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer's Performance
http://www.microsoft.com/atwork/getstarted/speed.mspx

Install: User Profile Hive Cleanup Service
A service to help with slow log off and unreconciled profile problems.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=1B286E6D-8912-4E18-B570-42470E2F3582&displaylang=en
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You might have malware installed on your system. If you follow all the following steps it should get rid of your problem and prevent future problems. All programs listed are free.
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Update your antivirus and run a full scan

If you do not have virus protection install:
AVG Antivirus 7.5 Free Edition
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/avg-anti-virus-free/lng/us/tpl/v5
or
Free antivirus - avast! 4 Home Edition
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
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Install Windows Defender (full time spyware protection)
Perform a full scan.
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
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Install the following five programs and run weekly or at least monthly. You need all five. They are not a substitute for full time spyware and virus protection.
Install and run now.

Ad-Aware SE Personal (update + full scan)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php

Spybot Search & Destroy (update + immunize + scan)
Do not enable Tea Timer and SDHelper
After installation: update + scan + immunize
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html

SpywareBlaster: Update then open and click “enable all protection”.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

SUPERAntiSpyware free version: (update + scan)
http://www.superantispyware.com/

CCleaner: Do not install toolbar and recycle bin options
Removes tracking cookies, unneeded files, history
In options.
Set to run when computer starts.
Place cookies you want to keep in save list
http://www.ccleaner.com/

Note if a scan detects a problem but is unable to remove, start the computer in safe mode with the internet line disconnected and run a full scan.

In severe cases your system restore files will also be infected. In these cases you will need to turn off system restore to prevent malware hiding in the system restore files and reinfecting the computer during removal or during a future system restore. Turning off system restore deletes the system restore files.

Right click on "my computer"> Properties > System Restore Tab > Check box turn of system restore

After the malware is removed turn on system restore.
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Run this time

Install VX2 tool for Ad-Aware and run tool
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/securitycenter/vx2_cleaner.php

CWShredder: run
http://www.trendmicro.com/cwshredder/
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Additional run this time and as needed.

Microsoft OneCare Live, run “full service scan”
Updates windows, virus and spyware scan, disk cleanup, disk fragmentation (if needed), backs up registry and then cleans registry, and checks for open firewall ports
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Malicious Software Removal Tool (run “full scan”)
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
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Rootkit Removal Guide
http://safecomputing.umn.edu/guides/scan_unhackme.html

Rootkits Removers (Pick any 2 install and run monthly)

AVG Anti-Rootkit
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/products-avg-anti-rootkit-update-app-art/?ver=1.1.0.29

F-Secure BlackLight
http://www.f-secure.com/blacklight/

Sophos Anti-Rootkit
http://www.sophos.com/products/free-tools/sophos-anti-rootkit.html
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Online Free Scanners:
Run Trend Micro, Kaspersky, and Panda Scan now.
Run a different one each month.

Trend Micro: HouseCall Free Scan (removes what it finds)
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
BitDefender Online Scanner http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
Kaspersky Labs Online Scanner http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
McAfee http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp?affid=294
Panda ActiveScan Free Online Scanner http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan?
Symantic Online Scanner http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/ssc_eula.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pkj=ALUFRHYTINMHDKDCWLL&vc_scanstate=2
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Additional Information read:
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Overview
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Prevention:_Prevent_Re-infection
http://www.castlecops.com/f67-Hijackthis_Spyware_Viruses_Worms_Trojans_Oh_My.html
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.org/secure.htm
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.php
http://www.castlecops.com/t102301-Hijackthis_Guidelines_Read_Before_Posting.html
http://www.techsupportforum.com/security-center/hijackthis-log-help/15968-please-read-before-posting-
http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php?t=4075&sid=901703d08c2ace31389ffef2d84b6607