virtual memory

[Guest]

Will someone please explain "virtual memory" to me? I get an occasional pop-up, stating that I am low on virtual memory. What is this and how does it affect my system?

 

[Mary Sauer]

Error Message When You Start Windows: Your System Is Low on Virtual Memo
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315351&Product=winxp

HOW TO: Set Performance Options in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308417&Product=winxp
--
Mary Sauer MS MVP
http://office.microsoft.com/clipart/
http://www.mvps.org/msauer/getting_started.htm
news://msnews.microsoft.com

Will someone please explain "virtual memory" to me? I get an occasional pop-up,

stating that I am low on virtual memory. What is this and how does it affect my
system?

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Virtual memory is a way of using your hard drive when there is not enough
physical ram for a requested operation. This is accomplished through the use
of a file called pagefile.sys, which normally resides on the root of the
system drive.

The errors you are getting may be an indication that the pagefile.sys is
corrupt. If so, you can rebuild it. Go to System
properties/advanced/performance settings/advanced tab/virtual memory change
and disable the swap file. Reboot. Delete all instances of pagefile.sys from
all drives should any exist, then reverse the original steps and reenable
the swap file. Reboot once more to finish. See if this helps,

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

Will someone please explain "virtual memory" to me? I get an occasional

pop-up, stating that I am low on virtual memory. What is this and how does
it affect my system?

 

[Sharon F]

Will someone please explain "virtual memory" to me? I get an occasional
pop-up, stating that I am low on virtual memory. What is this and how
does it affect my system?

RAM+pagefile=virtual memory. Most memory operations will take place in the
temporary space provided by RAM. If more space is needed for active tasks,
Windows "parks" data that is not currently being used into the pagefile on
the hard drive.

If performing a task that fills up RAM entirely (video editing, for
example), the operations may span both RAM and pagefile. The task will go
slower in these circumstances. Reading back and forth between drive and RAM
simply takes more time than when all activities can be handled by RAM only.

If there is sufficient free space on the hard drive and Virtual Memory
settings have not been restricted, all of this happens behind the scenes.
You might see a message about "increasing" the pagefile if your usual tasks
consistently need more space than the amount of drive space allotted to the
pagefile.

The message you've encountered can take place for a variety of reasons.
Details about when it appears may help others to figure out why it's
appearing.

Also, a good article to learn more about virtual memory can be found here:
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm

 

[GK]

RAM+pagefile=virtual memory. Most memory operations will take place in the
temporary space provided by RAM. If more space is needed for active tasks,
Windows "parks" data that is not currently being used into the pagefile on
the hard drive.

If performing a task that fills up RAM entirely (video editing, for
example), the operations may span both RAM and pagefile. The task will go
slower in these circumstances. Reading back and forth between drive and RAM
simply takes more time than when all activities can be handled by RAM only.

If there is sufficient free space on the hard drive and Virtual Memory
settings have not been restricted, all of this happens behind the scenes.
You might see a message about "increasing" the pagefile if your usual tasks
consistently need more space than the amount of drive space allotted to the
pagefile.

The message you've encountered can take place for a variety of reasons.
Details about when it appears may help others to figure out why it's
appearing.

Also, a good article to learn more about virtual memory can be found here:
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm

Nice answer, Sharon.

 

[Sharon F]

Nice answer, Sharon.

Thanks, GK