Virtual Memory

What is virtual memory? I have just been notified that I am low on it and now it won't let me into my online class(big problem) ,..my email,..several things won't work...just a coincidence? I have a Dell about 2 years old, with 256MB DDR SDRAM, 80GB hard drive, Microsoft XP home edition. I know enough about computers to get me by,..but what can I do? I read somewhere to change something regarding page files or something,..but I'm not sure what to change it to,..so I didn't do it. I came to this site for help once before and got just what I needed. People here seem so willing to help and very up on computer technology. So if anyone can help,..I'd appreciate it!! And if you can be specific please.........I'm still a newbie. Thanks!!

 

here is a thread on the subject
http://www.majorgeeks.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20533&highlight=swap+file

 

re virtual memory

Thanks,..but I don't know how to get to my page files.,..or what to do then.........if that is what I need to do. I tried to delete some stuff off of my windows task manager,..I'm not sure what I can and can't delete,..I figure stay away from anything with the word system on it. Anyway,....it is now letting me into at least my online class. Problem is I have a home test coming in about 1 week,...and I need to hopefully fix this problem by then. By the way,...it shows that I have used 15.7GB, and have 58.6GB free on my C drive,...forgot that last time!

 

ok. here are the steps to see how big your page file is. go to control panel and then click on system..then click the advanced tab and under performance click settings and then advanced tab there and then under virtual memory click change and see what the settings are such as custome size or system managed and also the size of the virtual memory. look in the 2 spaces that say initial size and maximum size and then post back what they are... oh and sorry ....to answer you question virtual memory is part of the hard drive that windows uses for memory if it needs more.That is the simple explanation of it.

 

PageFile size

This perhaps will help....lists what to do to increase...efficiency
of RAM use.....including setting page file size...
w/implicit instructions...give it a try...


http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin/cposupport/ccsearch/getdoc?doc=bph06569

 

As you are not an advanced computer user, it is probably best to leave(or put) your virtual memory setting on "System managed size".

 

re virtual memory

Hi! Ok, hw209... I did what you said to do and came up with a total paging file size for all drives listing as 384 MB. Initial size-384..and max size 768. It states recommends 381MB and currently allocated is 384MB. So I have done nothing to change it yet. I check out the link that EZAXS99 recommended and it was a good link with alot of info..(thanks!) I checked what programs I have running on start up and I only had two (some scheduling thing..which stated I used today..I suppose on start up right?..and webshots..and thats it..so I left that alone. I had gotten rid of alot of icons at the bottom toolbar that aren't always used..and I think that is it. I do not need to defrag yet according to the computer...I do have alot of favorites listed..but hate to part with alot of them..could that be causing a problem?)So as of now,..nothing is changed..but I haven't seen the little warning sign yet today(low virtual memory)...and its not giving me a problem now. I'll check back later. Thanks to the three of you!!!!!!!!

 

halo,am glad you brought that up.I have my cpu and ram set for programs. am running xp home. a pent 2.4 and 768 meg of rdram.which is the best setting ? programs or system cache ?

 

re virtual memory

Hello! So,...I have defragged my drive,checked out the black viper link, already have updated 2003 norton antivirus which I run once a week, have adaware but never know what is safe to get rid of(read previously on this site about people deleting things and later having system problems), changed my virtual memory settings to 512 fixed(figured I'm probably safe with that being that it says 768 max). I hope it works. Thanks to all of you for your help!!! I really appreciate it!!!