Virtual Memory Low

Dross

New Member
I just got an error message on my machine that my Virtual Memory is low...I'm running Windows XP. Thanks. :confused:
 
Basically, you just need more RAM. Virtual mem is simply your harddrive being used as RAM. Windows should automatically adjust it, but sometimes if you're system doesn't have much RAM, you will have this problem. You should get a pretty good speed increase if you invest in some more system RAM, or you could simply go to System > Advanced > Performace > Advanced > and change your virtual memory to some higher setting. Just remember the harddrive is the slowest hardware in your computer.
 
Hmm, interesting. Thanks for the help. I've got a couple follow-ups if you don't mind:

First, any drawbacks to changing the virtual memory to a higher setting?

Second, I've got 512 MB of RAM, and since this is my work machine, I rarely use it for any thing substantial (in terms of memory usage): Outlook and IE mostly. At the time, I believe I had Outlook opened, with a few IE windows. The machine is only a few months old, and clean. Is there something I'm missing here?

Thanks again! :)
 
windows xp uses roughly about half the amount of ram in your machine when only running the basic programs, so it can easily run out of useable ram if you are running too many programs on it at once!
 
I have 256, But i dont know where to get the best deal and how to fit it myself without the major costs.
 
James76, someone could probably speak to this better than me, but you can install it yourself; that part isn't very hard. You just have to click the memory module into the correct socket on the motherboard. As far as getting a good price on the memory itself, someone else will have to help you with that. But overall it shouldn't be that expensive...under $200 per 512.
 
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