Windows XP using too much Virtual Ram

[---Merlin---]

I can't find any info on this particular problem.

My system is running WinXP with 2gb of Ram
(Ram has been there since installation of XP)

Windows uses heaps of Virtual Ram, even though I've manually set the
Page file to 100mb, it still doesn't obey.
Why is Virtual Ram so full if I have only 650mb being used and 1.3gig
of free RAM?
The memory manager seems dumb.

I don't see why Windows can't use my physical ram till it's 75% full
then start using virtual ram.

Any ideas?
Please don't say "turn off virtual ram". I've read that this can be
dangerous.

An option is to create a ram drive where I set my temp directory to,
but I know that if it gets full I will be in trouble, I've tried that
in the past.

I tried using support.microsoft.com, but that site makes no sense :-(

 

[JerryM \(ID\)]

Hi, Merlin,

This is a characteristic of Windows to take over all installed Ram, plus the
Paging file even though it doesn't use all of it.
It keeps it in reserve in case of a surge in program size.

You will be better off letting System Managed Size control the size of the
Paging file.

Just to run over this, follow along:

Right click My Computer and select Properties,
Click the Advanced tab,
Under performance, click the Settings button,
Click the Advanced tab again,
Under Virtual memory, click the Change button,
Highlight C: drive,
Click System Managed Size,
Click the SET button.
OK your way back out.

Windows will set up the size it wants and you don't have to worry about it.

Have fun,
Jerry

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I can't find any info on this particular problem.

My system is running WinXP with 2gb of Ram
(Ram has been there since installation of XP)

Windows uses heaps of Virtual Ram, even though I've manually set the
Page file to 100mb, it still doesn't obey.
Why is Virtual Ram so full if I have only 650mb being used and 1.3gig
of free RAM?
The memory manager seems dumb.

I don't see why Windows can't use my physical ram till it's 75% full
then start using virtual ram.

You are mixing up allocating space in the page file with *using* space
there.

Windows preallocates virtual memory in anticipation of a possible need for
it, even though that allocated virtual memory may never be used. That
preallocation saves you time if it turns out that it needs to use it, but
costs you nothing if it doesn't use it.

For more information, read this article by te late MVP, Alex Nichol,
"Virtual Memory in Windows XP " at
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm

Any ideas?
Please don't say "turn off virtual ram". I've read that this can be
dangerous.

I would certainly not say that. It would not only be dangerous, it would
hurt your peformance, and could not possibly help you in any way.

An option is to create a ram drive where I set my temp directory to,
but I know that if it gets full I will be in trouble, I've tried that
in the past.

I don't recommend that either, but it really has nothing to do with use of
the Page File.

 

[---Merlin---]

Hi Jerry

It keeps it in reserve in case of a surge in program size.

You will be better off letting System Managed Size control the size of the
Paging file.

It seems the Task Manager is reporting all applications "using" Virtual
Ram when they are merely "allocated" it. So, I shouldn't be concerned.

thanks

 

[---Merlin---]

Hi Ken,

You are mixing up allocating space in the page file with *using* space
there.

thanks for that, I guess my concerns are not a problem. Windows must
be allocating VRam, and showing in Task Manager as such, but not
actually "using" it. Makes sense to me.

thanks