Virtual Memory

[Simonof17]

My computer has 512mb of ram, and a 120gb hard drive. Th hard drive is not even one third full and yet I keep getting a message in the taskbar saying that the virtual memory is too low, so lots of programmes and generally the whole computer runs really slowly. I have tried increasing the virtual memory to 1500mb (its possible through system in control panel, the recommended being 767mb) however the balloon keeps appearing and the computer continues to run quite slowly and inefficiently. I have scanned the computer using Norton antivirus and ad-aware (spyware) but that doesnt result in anything significant. Has anyone got any suggestions as to why the computer keeps displaying this message? Thanks

[crolios]

It might be Norton AV taking-up your Swap-file (the proper name for Virtual Memory). It may sound daft, but the amount of people that have problems with system slow-down, instability or loss of Swap-file space when using Norton products is unbelirvable. For your ref. McAfee is just as bad. Try un-installing Norton AV and see if that fixes your problem. If it does, and you still need an AV prog. I can highly recommend Eset's NOD 32, its years ahead of Norton.

[archbishop]

You should only need to disable the Norton firewall and use the Windows one if on XP which is just as good.

[honkytonkman]

Personally, I'd have thought that 512mb RAM is a tad weeny for a computer today, especially of you're running Win XP which is quite a memory muncher. Virtual memory is noticeably slower than 'real' RAM.

[crolios]

I run an XP2200 with 512mb DDR400 Ram & Win XP Home & find that it works just fine, just so long as you don't run a whole load of progs all at once.

[Jarad]

I run 256mb of ram and a 40gig hardrive with xp. I have norton.. both the virus checker and the firewall and its running fone for me. You should never run without a virus checker and a firewall, dont think you can it will only end in tears. I have heard of norton slowing down 98 systems, but mine is fine. Again i must stress the need for security over performance. Without security your computer is likely to die, and you wont have ANY performance.