What is virtual memory?

Question

My computer says it is low on virtual memory and I have no idea what this means. Can someone please explain and do I have something to worry about?

Answer 1

There are 2 types of memory Windows uses, physical memory and virtual memory. Physical memory is a fancy name for the RAM. Oftentimes, the amount of RAM installed on a computer is insufficient, Windows solves this problem by converting some space on the hard drive to act like RAM (i.e. virtual memory). What is important is to know is that RAM is much faster than virtual memory (i.e. RAM better than virtual memory). In your case, you need to increase the size of the hard drive which is converted in to virtual memory. Here is how to do it:

1. Right click the "My Computer" icon on the desktop
2. Select Properties > Advanced tab > under Performance, click [Settings]
3. Select the Advanced tab > under Virtual memory, click [Change].
4. Select Custom Size
5. Set the size of the virtual memory to 1.5x the amount of RAM installed on your computer. (for example, if you have 256MB of RAM then set the virtual memory to 375). Give the same value for both the initial and maximum size.
6. Click [Set] > [O,K.] > [O.K.] > Restart

Answer 2

Virtual memory is basically a section of your hard drive that windows uses as if it were RAM. It's called a windows swap file. If your system is giving a message about low virtual memory, it could be that either your hard drive is running out of space, your system simply has too many programs running in the background, or depending on what you use your computer for, you may just need to add RAM to it You can check what's loading in your startup by going to start-->run--> and type in "MSCONFIG". You can remove the check marks from anything that you don't want loading when the system boots and that will free up some memory. If the problem continues, you may have a spyware/malware infestation, assuming your hard drive isn't actually full.

Answer 3

Virtual memory is an area, usually of a hard drive, where an operating system can swap out data or programs that are not in use at the time they are pushed out so as to make room for current applications/data. Once the data or applications needs to be brought back into main memory, the operating system fetches it from the storage area.

Main memory is much faster than disk, but it is finite. You would rather not swap into virtual memory if you dont have to, so the more memory your pc has, the faster it runs.

I hope this helps

Answer 4

Virtual Memory is the memory allocated for graphics and programs that are operating at the same time. It helps improve the graphics and allows multiple windows to be opened simulataneously. There is nothing worry about, just make sure you open only the necessary applications and programs and disable usless graphics because they use up a lot of virtual memory.

Answer 5

virtual memory is a space taken from hard to be add on ram to make windows work safly and smoothly .
there is ratio between your RAM and Virtual memory , virtual memor depend on the size of the RAM but in same time you can increase it not to decrease it .

so that space or size from hard you can change it to make windows xp get more space from hard to work in right way so ... do the steps below to increase virtual memory size :-

1. right click on my computer and choose properties .
2. left click on Advane and (( on performance )) choose setting .
3. left click on advance and (( on Virtual Memory )) choose change.

now you can change it .
note that changing memory size by increase it.

Answer 6

desktops have some actual memory calld RAM and on a similar time can use portion of not uncomplicated disk as though it substitute into RAM (digital memory). you could evaluate digital memory as very very sluggish RAM. No at the instant 80 GB isn't sufficient. I have no information approximately macs yet i might recommand a Intel center 2 Duo, with 2GB RAM, 250GB not uncomplicated disk,...

Answer 7

virtual memory is a section of your HDD set aside to simulate RAM. you can change it from the control pannel or by rightclicking. and you dont have to worry too much cause its easy to fix

Answer 8

here is the link that will tell you what is virtual memory is and what is does:

Answer 9

This site has good information about it.

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/virtual-memory.htm

Answer 10

You do, you either running low on hard drive space, or something is chewing all your memory pool