virtual memory

  • Thread starter Thread starter Marlene
  • Start date Start date
M

Marlene

I get this message telling me my " virtual memory is low
windows is expanding etc"... anything else I can do to
improve my memory such as new hardware and if yes where
and how do I install..I live far far away with no access
to professionals and I am a little scared.
 
Marlene,
Virtual memory is actually a portion of your hard drive, with no data
written to it, that Windows uses as it becomes necessary when performing
tasks. If you have free disk space, say one or two gigabytes, you should
not be getting this warning. Go to Control Panel and click System. Click
the Performance Tab. Click the Virtual Memory Tab. Click the button that
allows you to set the Virtual Memory parameters. Make both settings about
1.5 times your RAM, so if you have 512 MB of RAM make both settings 768 MB.
This keeps Windows from constantly adjusting the size of the Virtual Memory
to suit the tasks being performed. Click on OK, you will get a warning
about fooling with Virtual Memory, it's alright, you can always go back and
undo these changes, OK out to the desktop. Reboot and you should be all
set.
 
Since you can't describe what causes this problem,
professional help may be very useful.

No matter how far you live - you can get help over internet,
via the Remote assistance of WinXP (in Help & support center).

--PA
 
Hi, Marlene.

You probably don't need new hardware.

Kevin's instructions are very good. I prefer to use a "system managed size"
on one drive and zero on the others. Don't forget to press the Set button
after you change each drive.

For an excellent explanation of virtual memory and how to manage it, see MVP
Alex Nichol's article at:

Virtual Memory in Windows XP
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.php

You might also like to read:
Optimize Virtual Memory for Performance in Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/expertzone/columns/mcfedries/03june16.asp

If you don't find your answers here, post back.

RC
 
HELLO MARLENE DID YOU GET THE ANSWER YOU WERE LOOKING FOR. i AM NEW TO THIS CHAT HERE ON MICROSOFT. I THINK THIS IS GREAT FOR PEOPLE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS.
 
If you turn off your Caps Lock, people will be more likely to welcome you
here All caps is considered rude and it makes your post difficult to read.

JAX

jlibra67 said:
HELLO MARLENE DID YOU GET THE ANSWER YOU WERE LOOKING FOR. i AM NEW TO
Click to expand...
THIS CHAT HERE ON MICROSOFT. I THINK THIS IS GREAT FOR PEOPLE LOOKING FOR
ANSWERS.
 
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