what do i do if i have a low virtual memory on my computer?

Answer 1

Its your computers virtual memory is low warning. Your computer uses physical memory, aka RAM, and virtual memory. Virtual memory is used to simulate more RAM when your computer is reaching its maximum CPU and RAM usage. It very similar to a bucket filling up with water. If your CPU needs water you can bring this resources to it. But your bucket size is limited. The more programs you use and disk space the more water is needed. But you can only deliver the set amount of water because your bucket size is limited. The bucket is your RAM. However, you can use a spare bucket to quickly to help meet the demand. The virtual memory is that spare bucket.

You can change your virtual memory by altering amount of resources for your computer to use for it, in a sense making the spare bucket bigger. Virtual memory uses free space as a resource. So you can change the the amount free space reserved for the Virtual memory.

When you get to the Virtual Memory menu select the Custom Size check box. Then choose the initial size and the max size. Depending on how much free space you have you can choose what that amount of free space you want. If you are still confused the link below has a visual step by step instructions.

1.Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2.Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.
3.On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.
4.Under Virtual memory, click Change.
5.Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging file that you want to change. In most computers its C:
6.Under Paging file size for selected drive, click to Custom size check box. You can enter the amount of memory you would like to reserve for Virtual memory by entering the initial and maximum size.
7.Click Set

Hot tip: Keep the initial and maximum size the same to cut down on your CPU access. This will stop your CPU from constantly change your Virtual memory paging size. Also set the size 1.5 times higher than your physical memory.

Hope this helps!
http://www.delete-computer-history.com/increase-virtual-memory.html

Answer 2

Either you have too many applications running, and/or your hard drive is too full, and/or your RAM is insufficient.

I suggest you do this:

First, shut down applications you arent' using and see if that helps.

Second, try to offload some of your saved stuff on your hard drive. Good time to commit those vids, pics, and music to cd or dvd, and get them off your hard drive. Then, if you need to, increase your virtual memory setting.

Remember also that Windows has NEVER been good at resource conservation and reclamation. It's possible that all you need to do is reboot your system so that previously used memory gets back into use.

Lastly, when you purchase a computer, it is better to spend on RAM than processor speed if you have to make choices.

Good Luck

Answer 3

Usually running out of virtual memory means that you are running too many applications at the same time for your system or one of them is attempting to use too much memory.

Increasing virtual memory is one way of compensating for lack of RAM. However, it's optimum should be set at 1.5 times the amount of RAM on your computer. Virtual memory can be increased, but it comes with a risk if you increase it too much as it can eventually lead to hard drive damage.

To increase VM on Windows XP (should be in similar locations for other versions) look in Control Panel: System, Advanced, Performance Settings, Advanced, Virtual Memory.

You can see if your computer can handle more RAM at http://www.crucial.com/index.asp

Note: The presence of Malware (viruses, spyware, etc) can also eat up your system resources.

Answer 4

Open you Internet Explorer and set the size of save files down to about 20megs, Downlowd AVG Free anti-Spyware and run it at least 2 times, delete all it finds, then under system increase your virtual memory (1765-2599) -THIS WILL NOT HURT YOUR DRIVE as suggested by some one else. And under tools -Internet options - In Internet Explorer reset to default settings.

You won't have any more problems

Answer 5

low virtual memory is sometimes caused by too much applications running in the background. usually what i will do is lessen applications or removing those that you dont need.

and lastly and most effective is to increase your ram.

Answer 6

Incease it by doing the following.

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/sysdm_advancd_perform_change_vmpagefile.mspx?mfr=true

Answer 7

do a virus scan and a check for adware