Low Virtual Memory

[Guest]

I periodically get a message that says my VM is low and the computer is doing
something-or-other to get more. I read the related help and support info,
but since I'm tech-impaired, I'm nervous about changing anything. Is this
something I need to have a pro change for me? Also, will this improve my
computer's speed, or is that another issue? Please reply in plain English.
Thank-you.

 

[Iceman]

I periodically get a message that says my VM is low and the computer is doing
something-or-other to get more. I read the related help and support info,
but since I'm tech-impaired, I'm nervous about changing anything. Is this
something I need to have a pro change for me? Also, will this improve my
computer's speed, or is that another issue? Please reply in plain English.
Thank-you.

It is always best to let Windows manage your Virtual Memory or RAM.
However, if you badly need more you can buy an extra memory stick in a
computer shop, and let a "pro" install it for you. Yes, that *will* cost
you some money, if not a great deal.

See also this article by the late Alex Nichol:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm

 

[Guest]

Simply R.click on my compter/properies/advanced/performance/page-file/
change button.With C: hd highlited,set to "let system manage" click set 2X
Close out,a restart of the pc should be prompted....

 

[Guest]

Iceman said to buy a memory stick & you advised making some simple (I hope)
changes. Which is right?

 

[Enkidu]

Well, being short of Virtual Memory means that you are running out of
space for the system to 'swap out' programs that you are not using at
the moment but which are still open.

If you have lots of real, physical, memory your system may not need to
swap, so more physical memory will probably help, especially if you
don't have much to start with.

The other tip, to change the Virtual Memory to 'system managed' means
that the system can expand your virtual memory if it needs to. It is
unlikely that your machine has been set to 'static' settings, because
that's how it comes, and you would not have changed, I'd guess.

I'd not think that this would help. So how much memory do you have? I'd
think that you'd have better luck getting your physical memory increased.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[Guest]

Iceman said to buy a memory stick & you advised making some simple (I hope)
changes. Which is right?

The advice given by Andrew directs you to check / verify the size set /
reserved for the Virtual Memory (VM), except that the path on my XP Home
edition is: Right Click MyComputer\Select
Properties\Advanced\Performance-Settings\Advanced\Virtual Memory. Note the
value given for the pagefile. You’ll see a Change box there, click it – NO
danger so far – for more detailed descriptions regarding the VM. Among them
are limits regarding the size of the VM given, and as well the kind of
CONTROL selected. The size of the VM can be changed when so needed.

As the Random Access Memory (RAM) “works together†with the VM, it is less
troublesome to change the size of the VM to see whether it resolves your
problem or not, then start with the “memory stickâ€, which I assume Iceman
refers to.

But BEFORE you change anything it would be useful for the posters, given you
want a final advice / opinion before a trial, to see the current size of the
VM, the way it is controlled, and the size of the RAM. The latter given by:
Right Click MyComputer\Select Properties and on the General tab you somewhere
will see figure xxx MB RAM.

BTW: On the 20.th, there is a subject “Virtual Memory†with a discussion not
unlike this one.

Regards,
Ka2H

 

[Daave]

Iceman said to buy a memory stick & you advised making some simple (I
hope) changes. Which is right?

Actually, Iceman suggested you "let Windows manage your Virtual Memory."
He only suggested adding more RAM in the event that you need more of it.
But in order to determine that, you need to answer these two questions:

1. How much RAM do you have?

2. What is your PC used for?

Regarding Virtual Memory, here are the instructions you need, taken from
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/837869 :

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. On the Advanced tab, under Virtual memory, click Change.
5. Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging
file that you want to change.
6. Under Paging file size for selected drive, click to select the System
managed size check box, and then click Set.
7. Click OK three times.

When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Yes.

 

[Guest]

if your system is experiencing
low vm and telling you so, then
it means the size of the disk space
reserved for the vm is too small.

depending on the pc, using the
automatic feature is "not best option"
as some may have suggested otherwise.

in fact you may already be set
to automatic vm and the issue
is not resolving on it's own.

in such cases when automatic
vm is not convenient for your
pc configuration, there is that option
to set the vm at a fixed size

to do this go to the virtual memory
dialog window and use
the "custom option" then set

the min at 2 and
the max at 1152.

close and reboot.

it is likely that you will not
get that error message again
when the size is maxed at 1152.

however, if you still have issues, then
we have to look for other problems....

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