computer low on virtual memory?

[dhud64]

Yup that's what it said when I signed on today...you're computer is low on virtual memroy....<br />What causes that?

 

[roscoe]

Re: computer low on virtual memory?

Bill Gates/Microsloshed <br /><br />What operating system do you have?

 

[jsfinn]

Re: computer low on virtual memory?

Windows uses virtual memory to supplement your phsyical memory. It sets part of your hard drive to use as temporary memory space. <br /><br />If you have a lot of things running, it's normal to get that message. It's not an error, it's just letting you know that it's increasing the allocated space for virtual memory. If you keep getting that message, then you've got a problem but don't expect to see it again any time soon.

 

[roscoe]

Re: computer low on virtual memory?

I used to get this message when running Win98.<br />I was told to switch from letting windows manage my memory, to a user managed memory, and all was well.

 

[dhud64]

Re: computer low on virtual memory?

I'm using Windows XP Home Ed. <br />I suppose if my daughter weren't downloading all of her crap music, and games etc... this wouldn't have happened!

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: computer low on virtual memory?

if you haven't run defrag in a while, might be<br />good idea. look in system monitor and see how<br />much free disk space you have left. may be time<br />to delete some old games or music...

 

[LubeDude]

Re: computer low on virtual memory?

I think MellowYellow has it right, nothing uses up your memory faster than music and pictures! I just built this computer, and have two hard drives! One is used for the operating system only and all other files are stored on the 120 hard drive! This lets windows operate with out outside interferance! "Sweet" <br /><br />LubeDude

 

[Scoop]

Re: computer low on virtual memory?

Dhud, you do have to worry about this. If you run fill up the hard drive or run out of virtual memory, you will lock up and have a hard time coming back from it. Here are some suggestions.<br /><br />- Look to see how much hard drive space is available. If you are at 10% or less of the total, then it time to clean up some files and remove old programs. This also includes cleaning up your cookies and temp files.<br /><br />-Do a defrag of your hard drive. The virtual memory file, needs to be on contiguous hard drive space. <br /><br />- If you are running a lot of programs when this happens or have a bunch of files open, then start to use less or increase your real memory although your real memory may not help much.<br /><br />- Download and run Ad Aware from Lavasoft. This will help make sure you have not been invaded by spyware that has loaded logging programs or other software on your computer and will help clean some stuff out. It is also free to homw users.<br /><br />-Look at the lower right hand corner of your task bar. The icons there all represent programs that are taking up memory. Usually you can hover your mouse over these and find out what they are. Some will let you right click and exit them or let you disable them if they are not needed. <br /><br />- Upgrade your hard drive. Larger hard drives are relatively cheap.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[mattttt25]

Re: computer low on virtual memory?

i thought low virtual memory was how i feel on monday mornings...

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: computer low on virtual memory?

If all the sugestions don't eliminate the message you can adjust the amount of virtual memory XP has available. Click START, CONTROL PANEL, SYSTEM, ADVANCED, performance SETTINGS. ADVANCED. The amount of hard drive space used as virtual memory will be shown and an option to change it. Use this with caution as you would any other system setting in WINDOZE. Good luck.

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: computer low on virtual memory?

Go to Control panel; iternet options; temporary internet files; delete cookies and temporary files. Every time you click i boats or music or any .coms this is where it is stored.<br />I had over 9000 temps until my friend told me what to do. Also I try to defrag weekly.

 

[dhud64]

Re: computer low on virtual memory?

Thanks for all the info!

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: computer low on virtual memory?

Scoop has it right. Check the free space on your HDD and offload what you can - if you have a cd burner put the MP3s (music) onto CDs. Same thing with viedo (Mpegs). Once you have offloaded as much non essential stuff as you can, then defrag. Defraging before hand is a waste of time - note, the less free space you have on your HDD the longer defrag will take since there is less available space to move stuff around.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: computer low on virtual memory?

Virtual Memory has nothing to do with free hard drive space (unless you want to increase your virutal memory and don't have any hard drive space to do it). Virtual Memory is space that is already allocated on your hard drive that can not be used by other files.<br /><br />Are you still getting error messages after the inital one?<br /><br />You might find these Microsoft Support documents handy:<br /><br /> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;826513 <br /><br /> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315351

 

[bob58]

Re: computer low on virtual memory?

System Mechanic is a program that helps speed up windows, recovers ram, clears cache, low ram and alot of cache space used gets me in trouble every time. This program works well for me when I am in the middle of something and don't have the time to defrag my hard drive and go through a reboot.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: computer low on virtual memory?

dhud64<br /><br />Another thing that will cause you message is loading old drivers not written for XP. Older scanner software is known for this. . . You can see memory usage piling up in your task manager if this is the case. . .

 

[CCrew]

Re: computer low on virtual memory?

Actually, several of the biggest culprits have been left out here...<br /><br />Too many fonts installed. <br />Too many icons, or files copied to the desktop. <br /><br />Since the font tables are loaded to memory on system start, and the desktop loaded to memory on logon, if there areas are overlooked, you can do everything everyone says and it won't mean diddly. Defrag won't touch the pagefile. If the drive is close to full though, it's possible that the pagefile can't be dynamically expanded automatically as it needs. <br /><br />Last, but not least, the pagefile could be corrupt. XP's not known for corrupting the pagefile though, and it's one of the bbetter OS's MS has released. <br /><br />-Roger