virtual memory

[davo]

I was just warned that my virtual memory minimum is too low. I know how to
increase it, but since I only use email and have some pics, does anyone have
suggestions on the kinds of things that take up space---then delete, or
uninstall, or other options? Thanks

 

[Jerry]

Virtual memory is used when there is not enough RAM to support whatever it
is you are doing. Increase your RAM - memory is cheap.

 

[davo]

Virtual memory is used when there is not enough RAM to support whatever it
is you are doing. Increase your RAM - memory is cheap.

This computer illerate person (me) would like to know how to increase RAM.
Thanks again

 

[POP]

I was just warned that my virtual memory minimum is too low. I
know how to increase it, but since I only use email and have
some pics, does anyone have suggestions on the kinds of things
that take up space---then delete, or uninstall, or other
options? Thanks

You haven't given enough information to think you need RAM, so
don't get too involved in adding RAM yet. How much RAM do you
have? If it's 256 Meg or more, you are fine.

Deleting programs and files will almost surely NOT take care of
whatever is causing your problem and getting that error message.
Also, if you read the message carefully, you'll note that you do
at that point how have a LOT of virutal RAM available.
It sounds like you may have incorrectly set the size of your
Virtual Memory. Did you? For your situation in particular, it
is highly recommended to let Windows manage the size of Virtual
Memory.
IFF you have played with the size of it, then I'll assume you
can find the Let Windows Manage box to tick off; it's in the same
places you set the sizes. If it has NOT been changed, then come
on back and update your situation.

If/when you respond, include more information on your system.
Speed, Processor name, computer brand, amount of RAM, size of
disk drive/s, and so forth.
Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | System
Information will show you all the information you'll need and
then some! Do NOT post your keycodes or any personal information
though! You don't want to put that stuff on the 'net.

It's also possible you have a virus or other malware. Do you
have:
-- SP 2 installed?
-- A firewall?,
-- antivirus software? Updated?
-- Malware/spyware scanners? Updated?
If so, run them all and be as certain as you can that the
machine is clean.

HTH,
Pop`

 

[DL]

This depends how comfortable you are with opening your PC case and
adding/replacing ram sticks.
If you are not take it to a store that fiits ram whilst you wait, otherwise
use a ram configerator to get ram guarenteed to work on your sys eg
www.crucile.com
The System Information app in your start menu/accessories/sytem tools will
tell you how much ram you currently have, or your PC specs info. You should
be thinking in terms of a minimum 512mb
Your vertual memory settings should be handled by Win. Error msgs can also
occur if you are running low on disk free space

 

[John R Weiss]

This computer illerate person (me) would like to know how to increase RAM.

To increase RAM, you need to physically add or exchange the RAM "sticks" inside
the computer. It's a straightforward procedure, once you get the correct RAM
stick.

While you can run XP with 128 or 256 MB of RAM, 512 MB will significantly help
performance.

You may first have to find out how much RAM you have now, then open up your
computer and find out how many RAM slots are filled and available. If you
right-click on My Computer and go to Properties, the total RAM will be shown
near the bottom of the General tab. If you have 128 MB and 3 open slots, you
can buy 3 more 128 MB sticks. If you have 128 MB and only 1 open slot, you will
likely be better off removing the old stick and adding 2 256MB sticks for 512
MB.

Go to www.crucial.com to find the specific RAM sticks that will work in your
computer. Call their toll-free number if you can't find out on the web site.
Have your computer brand/model and/or motherboard brand/model and BIOS version
handy.

 

[davo]

You haven't given enough information to think you need RAM, so don't get
too involved in adding RAM yet. How much RAM do you have? If it's 256
Meg or more, you are fine.

Deleting programs and files will almost surely NOT take care of whatever
is causing your problem and getting that error message. Also, if you read
the message carefully, you'll note that you do at that point how have a
LOT of virutal RAM available.
It sounds like you may have incorrectly set the size of your Virtual
Memory. Did you? For your situation in particular, it is highly
recommended to let Windows manage the size of Virtual Memory.
IFF you have played with the size of it, then I'll assume you can find
the Let Windows Manage box to tick off; it's in the same places you set
the sizes. If it has NOT been changed, then come on back and update your
situation.

If/when you respond, include more information on your system. Speed,
Processor name, computer brand, amount of RAM, size of disk drive/s, and
so forth.
Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | System Information will
show you all the information you'll need and then some! Do NOT post your
keycodes or any personal information though! You don't want to put that
stuff on the 'net.

It's also possible you have a virus or other malware. Do you have:
-- SP 2 installed?
-- A firewall?,
-- antivirus software? Updated?
-- Malware/spyware scanners? Updated?
If so, run them all and be as certain as you can that the machine is
clean.

HTH,
Pop`

Thanks Pop, I'll give you what I found, but as a newbie, don't know where to
look for some stuff
MS XP Home SP2
Processor/Brand Dell Dim 3000
Total physical mem 256.00 MB
Avail phys.mem. 72.28 MB
Total virtual mem 2.00 GB
Avail Virt mem 1.96 GB
Page file space 625.02

All my protection etc is up to date. I do have Windows managing the size of
virt. mem. BTW way "total physical memoral" is called RAM?. I didn't know
where to find "size of disc drive"

Just for my own information should i need to, how do you increase RAM?

So that's my info---from what you're saying, it looks like no worries, yes?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Total physical mem 256.00 MB

That's RAM.

Just for my own information should i need to, how do you increase RAM?

RAM is hardware. The physical memory cards you have inside your box. You
increase it by buying more of the same type and inserting it into available
slots on the motherboard.

Don't be too quick to do it, however. Despite those who tell you that 512MB
is better than 256MB (which you have). it is *not* true for everyone. This
is *not* a one-size-fits-all situation. You get good performance if the
amount of RAM you have keeps you from using the page file, and that depends
on what apps you run. Most people running a typical range of business
applications find that somewhere around 256-384MB works well, others need
512MB. Almost anyone will see poor performance with less than 256MB. Some
people, particularly those doing things like editing large photographic
images, can see a performance boost by adding even more than
512MB--sometimes much more.

If you are currently using the page file significantly, more memory will
decrease or eliminate that usage, and improve your performance. If you are
not using the page file significantly, more memory will do nothing for you.
Go to http://billsway.com/notes_public/winxp_tweaks/ and download
WinXP-2K_Pagefile.zip and monitor your pagefile usage. That should give you
a good idea of whether more memory can help, and if so, how much more.

 

[davo]

To increase RAM, you need to physically add or exchange the RAM "sticks"
inside the computer. It's a straightforward procedure, once you get the
correct RAM stick.

While you can run XP with 128 or 256 MB of RAM, 512 MB will significantly
help performance.

You may first have to find out how much RAM you have now, then open up
your computer and find out how many RAM slots are filled and available.
If you right-click on My Computer and go to Properties, the total RAM will
be shown near the bottom of the General tab. If you have 128 MB and 3
open slots, you can buy 3 more 128 MB sticks. If you have 128 MB and only
1 open slot, you will likely be better off removing the old stick and
adding 2 256MB sticks for 512 MB.

Go to www.crucial.com to find the specific RAM sticks that will work in
your computer. Call their toll-free number if you can't find out on the
web site. Have your computer brand/model and/or motherboard brand/model
and BIOS version handy.

Hi john R, When I replied to Pop, I gave some of that info. Here's the
test of what I found
Celer (R) cpu 2.40 GHz
256 MB RAM
2.39 GHz, 256 MB of RAM
Paging file size for all drives 384 MB

I don't know where to find open slots, but from what I've given to you and
"Pop", do you think I shouldn't be concerned? Yea, I know, put you on the
spot! Just seem weird the the virtual memory minimum was too low, since I
don't use he computer for mych. Thanks for your time & thoughts

 

[davo]

That's RAM.




RAM is hardware. The physical memory cards you have inside your box. You
increase it by buying more of the same type and inserting it into
available slots on the motherboard.

Don't be too quick to do it, however. Despite those who tell you that
512MB is better than 256MB (which you have). it is *not* true for
everyone. This is *not* a one-size-fits-all situation. You get good
performance if the amount of RAM you have keeps you from using the page
file, and that depends on what apps you run. Most people running a typical
range of business applications find that somewhere around 256-384MB works
well, others need 512MB. Almost anyone will see poor performance with less
than 256MB. Some people, particularly those doing things like editing
large photographic images, can see a performance boost by adding even more
than 512MB--sometimes much more.

If you are currently using the page file significantly, more memory will
decrease or eliminate that usage, and improve your performance. If you are
not using the page file significantly, more memory will do nothing for
you. Go to http://billsway.com/notes_public/winxp_tweaks/ and download
WinXP-2K_Pagefile.zip and monitor your pagefile usage. That should give
you a good idea of whether more memory can help, and if so, how much more.

Thanks very much Ken, for the info and the site. I think probably for me,
256 mb RAM should be enough--I just got concerned when the alert balloon
popped up, saying virt mem minimum too low---I guess "minimum" is the
operative word

 

[POP]

message


Thanks very much Ken, for the info and the site. I think
probably for
me, 256 mb RAM should be enough--I just got concerned when the
alert
balloon popped up, saying virt mem minimum too low---I guess
"minimum" is the operative word

Ken 's post to you was great; right on the money, IMO; his
responses always seem to be good. And IMO you're right about
"minimum" too.

For the most part, if that was a one time event, I'd just forget
about it. "Stuff happens", so to speak. If it happens again,
you might want to think about it more. Memory can go bad,
connections can become unreliable and a lot of other thigns can
happen, too, but you probably just experienced somethong odd that
may never happen again.
For now I'd say relax and if it doesn't happen again, you're
home free. If it does, then you can come back; guys like Ken are
usually around for assistance and are one of the reasons I lurk
here so much. Lurking is a great way to learn.

Cheers,

Pop`

 

[davo]

Ken 's post to you was great; right on the money, IMO; his responses
always seem to be good. And IMO you're right about "minimum" too.

For the most part, if that was a one time event, I'd just forget about it.
"Stuff happens", so to speak. If it happens again, you might want to
think about it more. Memory can go bad, connections can become unreliable
and a lot of other thigns can happen, too, but you probably just
experienced somethong odd that may never happen again.
For now I'd say relax and if it doesn't happen again, you're home free.
If it does, then you can come back; guys like Ken are usually around for
assistance and are one of the reasons I lurk here so much. Lurking is a
great way to learn.

Cheers,

Pop`

Hey Pop, thanks to all you guys....and you're right, I've been lurking all
day--most stuff is way over my head, but it is a great way to learn. Thanks
for the time & info from all of you!

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Ken 's post to you was great; right on the money, IMO; his
responses always seem to be good.

Thanks for the kind words.