I recently got an e-mail asking about virtual memory. The person who sent me the question was getting an error on random occasions from their Windows operating system stating "Your computer is low on virtual memory". They wanted to know what is virtual memory, and if this error does occur, what can I do to fix it? Here is the answer that I sent out:
"Virtual memory is when your computer uses the hard drive as a memory relay once your real memory has been used up. This usually starts happening when someone has installed new programs or is using multiple large programs at one time. Have you installed something new recently, or changed how many programs you are using at one time? Does it seem to occur when you are using a specific program, or perhaps after running a specific program for a longer than usual period of time?
To check your virtual memory settings, follow these steps:
1. Click on Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Click on System
NOTE: When you first click on System, it will show you the "General" information tab. This tab will indicate how much RAM (physical memory) your system has installed (usually towards the bottom, should be something like "128 MB of RAM". Make a note of this number.
4. Click on the Advanced tab
5. Click on the Settings button under the top box, labeled Performance
6. Click on the Advanced tab, and this will show your current setting for virtual memory.
NOTE: Windows usually manages this number automatically, and usually doesn't require any adjustment. Optimally, this number should be somewhere between 2X and 3X the number noted earlier for the amount of system RAM. You can change the setting by clicking on the Change button located at the bottom of this section. You can then set the minimum to 2X (put in the actual number) and the maximum to 3X of the physical RAM.
If you answered "yes" to any of the questions I posed at the beginning, you may need to re-evaluate the system requirements of any programs involved and consider an actual physical RAM upgrade, if your motherboard will support additional RAM. That can have a big impact on what's happening.
Until next time,
Michael Arcand
www.techsupporthelpdesk.com
Michael Arcand is a CompTIA A+ Certified computer technician and entrepreneur specializing in www.techsupporthelpdesk.com for home users. His most recent venture online provides www.techsupporthelpdesk.com for home and small business users.
(This article may be reprinted as long as the complete resource box is left intact with embedded links.)
CCNAs and CCNA candidates hear it all the time: ???Get... Read More
First and foremost before I begin my ranting it is... Read More
If you've been kicking around the idea of building your... Read More
iPod users start to get the picture and it's turning... Read More
Yes, it's true. You may have inadvertently invited a spy... Read More
Are you thinking of buying an Apple iPod? Or have... Read More
Everywhere you look today people are listening to personal audio... Read More
There are soooo many choices. With all the styles and... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions is on the way to popularize it's... Read More
Are you frustrated with your PC?Is it feeling sluggish or... Read More
Confused by EDTV vs HDTV? We don't blame you. The... Read More
This tip is on sharing files and folders on a... Read More
For those seeking to buy their first flat panel TV... Read More
I have a love-hate relationship with my computer.In fact, often... Read More
The Internet is an awesome tool, but be careful and... Read More
In my humble opinion nothing makes a long trip easier... Read More
Having two operating systems is not as difficult as many... Read More
Saving Lives With A Pocket PCFree medical downloads can be... Read More
Introduction In this article I will clearly spell out the... Read More
Understanding digital camera prices makes finding the best camera value... Read More
Windows Media Player 10 has been full of bugs from... Read More
You have your television and home theater receiver; you just... Read More
Unless you place your faith in internal search engine software... Read More
ASR (Automated System Recovery) is a feature available on the... Read More
1. Empty the Temp directory regularly. To do this, make... Read More
JVC developed and used a high-performance reflective film to produce... Read More
Enhanced Definition Television ? also known as EDTV ? is... Read More
All over the world, people carry with them walkmans and... Read More
Digital cameras ratings are great tools for deciding which camera... Read More
Apache, MysQL and PHP for Windows could be a nice... Read More
Most of the web applications have a lot of images... Read More
Ad Blocking is getting to be a common sport on... Read More
Your first step in removing dangerous infections from your computer... Read More
I have always been interested in computers, but in the... Read More
In Windows Xp, you can install two operating systems on... Read More
Understanding digital camera prices makes finding the best camera value... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More
Wouldn't you be shocked to find that your personal sensitive... Read More
Viruses, software failures, power failures, human errors, hard drive failures... Read More
How familiar does the following sound? Your computer was working... Read More
I have a love-hate relationship with my computer.In fact, often... Read More
In the first part of this home lab tutorial, CCNA... Read More
Just The Facts, Ma'mPalm pilots are all the rage now.... Read More
Are you looking for an MP3 player but am not... Read More
Are you stymied by the vast offerings in cheap mp3... Read More
I recently took a good look at what was keeping... Read More
As the web has evolved, so have the methods of... Read More
I recently got an e-mail asking about virtual memory. The... Read More
This is not your typical lost data story. I was... Read More
As the Web grows more crowded and just plain "noisy"... Read More
Personal Technology |