Virtual Memeory Question

[donnie]

We have a Gateway laptop that we use in the MH when on the road.
It has XP as an operating system.
Lately, Iv been geting a message that the virtual memory is low.
Usually get this when the computer is sitting idle.

The questions Iv got is what is it and how do I keep it from showing up?
Thanks for the assist.

[utmtman]

Go to your help index and type in Virtual Memory and it will tell you how to adjust it to increase that memory and thus end the problem.

[clayl]

When all of your RAM is being used Windows treats part of your hard drive as memory. That is the virtual memory. If you haven't changed the amount allowed then a program or something is using too much RAM and the virtual memory on the hard drive.

You can check the setting by opening Control Panel and clicking on Performance and Maintenance/system/advanced/performance settings/advanced then look at Virtual Memory. On my computer it is set at 1056 MB which is the default setting.

You can either find out which program you have running that is using too much memory or you can increase the setting or add RAM to your computer.

[donnie]

FWIW, shortly after I got the laptop, I increased the memory sticks to the max it called for and without looking at it, I cant say what it is set at.
My main question, I guess, is what triggers it?
Ill check it out and adjust it.
Thanks for the help.

[ssgtbill]

Donnie: I had the same problem w/my new Dell w/Vista. It was driving me crazy. I called several "so called" support facilities until I finally was put in contact w/someone who understood the problem The previous post is right. Virtual memory is memory that is taken from the hard drive to supplement the RAM. It was suggested to me that the vrtual memory setting should be 2X the RAM capacity. I did this, and there has not been a problem since then. I was also told that if the RAM is "low" and you do not shut down, you could lose some/all of your files. This didn't happen, and I'm not sure about that.

Hope this helps, Bill

[jjtimmons]

What was previously said about Windows vritual memory is correct. Imagine, if you will, a buffet. RAM is basically the plates you use to get food: They only hold it long enough for you to get the food and eat it. Virtual memory would be the table: Not as mobile as the plate, but you can put a lot more food on it (and assign how much food, if any, what areas, etc).

Virtual Memory being set at 2X your RAM is standard. You only need to worry about losing files if your RAM stops working mid-save. Losing the files on your computer is often caused by a failure on the harddisk itself. (Or Windows deleting it)

[donnie]

FWIW, I checked the virtual on the laptop.
It was set for 368.
I reset it for 500 which is almost the max on this unit.
After I reset, i rebooted the computer and got the samt "warning" as before.
The memory is already at max for this machine.
Maybe its time to think about getting a new one.

[jjtimmons]

Or look at all the programs you have installed and find out what might be causing it. It could be your antivirus, or you might even have a lot of spyware causing it. Before you consider just buying a new one (unless you just want an excuse), I would go through and run anti-spyware scanners (Spybot S&D is the best), and then look to see what "extra" programs you have installed that might be causing it. Got some weather desktop program installed? Keep a messenger program running? Have more than one anti-virus? Those could all be problems.