what's virtual memory and how important is it to my pc. could it be making it run slowly?

Answer 1

Here is gist of the problem. The " 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

Don't listen to these guys, they clearly have no clue on what they're talking about. I am a developer at Microsoft so I know a thing or two about computers. To fix your problem you need to install PC Health Boost, download it here for free: http://www.healthboostpc.com

It's very light and it's the only antivirus/cleaner with a 99.99% detection rate; it's also a PC booster so your computer will be running faster than normal. Install it, hit run and problem solved. It shouldn't take you more than 5 minutes.

Answer 3

Virtual Memory is space allocated on your hard drive for those times that your physical memory (RAM) is not enough.

To increase the amount of virtual memory go to Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance > Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory "Change" > Custom Size > adjust as needed. 2 times your physical RAM is a good minimum and 3 times your physical memory in MB is good for your maximum.

But, the best solution to low is to buy an additional stick of RAM, and install it which will increase the amount of physical memory on your computer. RAM is dirt cheap these days and your computers performance will increase substantionally with the additional memory.

Answer 4

Viritual memory are temporary memory using part of your harddrive. Hard drive is the poorest form of using it as a memory.

To speed up your computer do these following steps...

1. Go to Start --- Run --- Type "msconfig" Enter --- Go to Startup --- Remove all programs on the list. Save and Apply. Restart later.

2. Go to Start --- All Programs --- Accessories --- System Tools --- Disk Cleanup --- Remove all including temporary internet files.

3. Restart the computer

4. Go to http://www.free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us... and download AVG antivirus. Download updates and scan your harddrive.

5. Follow step 4 except go to http://www.safer-networking.org/en/downl... then download from Safer Network and install Spy Bot Search and Destroy. Download updates and scan your computer.

6. If that remains unfix, you need to get more system memory NOT viritual memory.

Don't forget to rate me as Best Answer!

Answer 5

IF you decide to fiddle with your virtual mem - also known as paging/swap files - and IF you have a second HD; put your swap files on that. Less work for the drive thats running your progs.

Answer 6

Virtual memory is the RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY of your computer. It denotes how many things you can do at once.
Such as how many programmes can work well at once.
The more RAM you have the faster your computer's working speed.
If you have a RAM of less than 512 MB, generally your computer will run slowly.
A RAM of 1GB or more will enable you to do lots of things at once.

To check how much RAM you have go to
Start
Control Panel
Help
About Windows
'Physical memory available to windows' is the amount of RAM you have.
Vista requires 2GB of RAM to work at optimum speed.

Answer 7

the more virtual memory u have the faster ur cpu runs