Win Virtual Memory Too Low

[Rick C.]

Have an older computer, now getting this msg occasionally:

"Windows - Virtual Memory Minimum Too Low
Your system is low on virtual memory. Windows is increasing the size of
your virtual memory paging file. During this process, memory requests
for some applications may be denied. For more information, see Help."

But it doesn't seem to increase the size of the paging file. My Initial
Size = 382 MB, Maximum Size = 600. Recommended = 382. Any thoughts on
what I should do? Thanks much.

 

[John John]

How much RAM have you got in the machine? There is no magic number for
the pagefile size but a size of 1.5 times RAM is a general recommendation.

John

 

[Rick C.]

256 mb RAM. I have Minimum at 382 which is the 'Recommended' size, so
I'm not sure why I'm getting this message.

I have one pagefile on D:, and none on C: -- would that cause a problem?

 

[John John]

Are your C: and D: just partitions on the same physical hard disk, or
are they 2 different disks?

John

 

[Rick C.]

They're partitions of the same physical hard disk.

 

[John John]

Performance wise placing the pagefile on D: is one of the worse thing
you can do! Remove it from D: and place it again on C:

If you have enough free space on C: you could give the pagefile a fixed
size of 512 MB and see what happens. To give the file a fixed size just
give it the same Initial and Maximum size. The fixed size prevent
pagefile fragmentation which can also have a negative effect on performance.

John

 

[Rick C.]

Thanks. At this point I just don't have enough room on C: to move it
back there. It's been on D: for years and working ok. I'm just trying
to figure out why all of a sudden I'm getting this "Virtual Memory Too
Low" message.

 

[John John]

Newer and bigger programs always make extra demand on memory. Maybe the
pagefile is badly fragmented. Try this:

- Create a minimal pagefile on C: 2 MB should be fine.
- Delete the pagefile on D: Set it to zero size.
- Reboot the computer, there should be no pagefile on D:
- Create a new 512 MB fixed size pagefile on D:
- Delete the pagefile on C:
- Reboot again

The best way to fix your memory problem might be to add another 256MB of
RAM if the box can take it. Unless you use big memory demanding
programs Windows 2000 purrs like a kitten with 512 mb. Also, if you
have a spare hard drive you could put it in the box and put the pagefile
on that disk, but don't slave the disk onto the Windows 2000 disk, give
it a separate controller.

John