virtual memory

[jean88]

What is windows virtual memory? When I was downloading updates for norton ISC a message says my window virtual memory is too low, would I like to increase this? What does this mean? I am running xp,256mb,160gb hd

Thanks

[Space]

Basically you should add some memory (RAM) to your computer. It is struggling because it doesnt have enough.
It will probably make it much faster.
Add at least another 256MB.

[OBonio]

Virtual memory is a file on your hard drive. Usually called pagefile.sys on the root of your C drive and usually hidden. Windows uses this as temporary storage for information instead of using up valuable RAM.

To see how big it is, right click on the 'My computer' icon on your desktop, go to the Advanced tab, Settings under Performance, Advanced tab again and there, under Virtual memory, is how big it is. You can make this bigger to accomodate Norton's demands on memory.

Normally, it should be 2.5 times the amount of RAM you have. So yours should be about 664Mb but you can make it bigger.

Try increasing this first before adding more RAM as Space suggested. If you start getting messages about it all the time, then is the time to add more RAM.

[Space]

yes, Obonio's answer will solve your problem, I was just making a suggestion in case you ever get fed up with how slow your computer is.
If you are running windows XP on 256MB with Norton antivirus, then it must be struggling...