ChatterBank3 mins ago
Windows Virtual Memory
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I recently lost my microsoft word programme when I was hit by a virus. I replaced it with Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007. Ever since I installed the new prog each time I start up the computer I get a message alert in the bottom right hand corner of the screen which says "windows virtual memory too low" Then a box pops up which gives me the option of sending an error report. I have Windows XP Home Edition. What is this about? Thank you in advance.
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If your computer is low on REAL memory (RAM) then when your computer fills up REAL memory it copies some of it out to your hard disk in an area called VIRTUAL memory.
Now if your hard disk is full up it may be that there is not enough room to create an big enough area of VIRTUAL memory on your hard disk.
So you need to:
1) See how full up your hard disk is. If there is not much room left you need to delete some files you dont want (and empty your Recycle bin).
2) You may still need to increase your REAL memory (RAM) because if Windows is using a lot of Virtual memory that is a bad thing and will slow your comptuer down.
If you can tell us how much RAM (real memory) you have, and also how large your hard disk is and how much space is left on it, we may be able to advise you.
Now if your hard disk is full up it may be that there is not enough room to create an big enough area of VIRTUAL memory on your hard disk.
So you need to:
1) See how full up your hard disk is. If there is not much room left you need to delete some files you dont want (and empty your Recycle bin).
2) You may still need to increase your REAL memory (RAM) because if Windows is using a lot of Virtual memory that is a bad thing and will slow your comptuer down.
If you can tell us how much RAM (real memory) you have, and also how large your hard disk is and how much space is left on it, we may be able to advise you.
I dont know where to go to find out how much RAM i have. If you tell me I will look. I hovered over local disc C & it said size: 37.2 GB & free space is 24.8 GB. I also tried to empty the recycle bin but couldnt - I double clicked on recycle bin on desktop, clicked on File but the option to empty recycle bin wasnt lit up. Sorry for bother. Thank you.
On Windows XP there is an option on the menus called System Information.
On my XP (Professional) it is under "Accessories" then "System Tools" but yours may be different.
Anyway select "System Information" and a window called System Information is displayed.
On the first "page" (System Summary) it should show Total Physical Memory, that is your ram.
On mine it shows 1,024Mb which is 1 Gigabyte.
On my XP (Professional) it is under "Accessories" then "System Tools" but yours may be different.
Anyway select "System Information" and a window called System Information is displayed.
On the first "page" (System Summary) it should show Total Physical Memory, that is your ram.
On mine it shows 1,024Mb which is 1 Gigabyte.
You seem to have plenty of room on your hard disk so not sure why you are getting a message saying Virtual Memory too low.
Normally Windows allocates as much Virtual Memory as it needs, so on your hard disk it should have plenty of room.
So we need to find out what setting your Virtual Memory is, see next update.
Normally Windows allocates as much Virtual Memory as it needs, so on your hard disk it should have plenty of room.
So we need to find out what setting your Virtual Memory is, see next update.
Finding out your virtual memory setting
1) Open the Windows Control Panel
2) Click on the "Performance and Maintenance" icon.
3) Then click on the "System" icon. This should bring up a System Properties window.
4) Select the Advanced tab. In the "Performance" area at the top press the "Settings" button. This will bring up the Performance Options window.
5) On the Performance options window select the Advanced tab. Near the bottom you see the Virtual Memory area.
6) Press the Change button and the Virtual Memory window is displayed. The Window should look lke this
http://www.ofzenandcomputing.com/wp-content/up loads/2007/02/adjust-virtual-memory.PNG
1) How many disks are shown in the top window (C: and so on) and what size is the paging file next to it.
2) In the middle of the window which option is select "Custom size" or "System Managed size"?
3) If "Custom size" is selected what is the Initial Size and Maximum size ?
1) Open the Windows Control Panel
2) Click on the "Performance and Maintenance" icon.
3) Then click on the "System" icon. This should bring up a System Properties window.
4) Select the Advanced tab. In the "Performance" area at the top press the "Settings" button. This will bring up the Performance Options window.
5) On the Performance options window select the Advanced tab. Near the bottom you see the Virtual Memory area.
6) Press the Change button and the Virtual Memory window is displayed. The Window should look lke this
http://www.ofzenandcomputing.com/wp-content/up loads/2007/02/adjust-virtual-memory.PNG
1) How many disks are shown in the top window (C: and so on) and what size is the paging file next to it.
2) In the middle of the window which option is select "Custom size" or "System Managed size"?
3) If "Custom size" is selected what is the Initial Size and Maximum size ?
Being low on virtual memory is usually because your data is basically not stored neatly (you have it all over the place even though the sum amount of data may not add up to much). On mine if I go to All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Cleanup and run this it should organise your stored data. You can also Defrag from this location.
>Total physical memory is 256.00 MB
This is a VERY low amount of real memory.
If you start Windows, then start an Office 2007 applicaiton (even just one) you are probably going to break that 256Mb limit and slow your computer down.
Most people would say you need TWICE as much real memory for XP (as a minimum) so 512Mb.
To be really comforatable then 1gb is about right.
(To be fair, if you had 512Mb then I would say that is OK. If you are going to upgrade your memory anyway then put 1Gb in).
You can upgrade your memory to 1Gb for only about �25 if you go to the right place.
This is a VERY low amount of real memory.
If you start Windows, then start an Office 2007 applicaiton (even just one) you are probably going to break that 256Mb limit and slow your computer down.
Most people would say you need TWICE as much real memory for XP (as a minimum) so 512Mb.
To be really comforatable then 1gb is about right.
(To be fair, if you had 512Mb then I would say that is OK. If you are going to upgrade your memory anyway then put 1Gb in).
You can upgrade your memory to 1Gb for only about �25 if you go to the right place.
Go to this web site and see at the top where it says Scan My System
http://www.crucial.com/
It will tell you how much memory you have, how much memory your computer can take, and what TYPE of memory your computer takes.
You MUST write down EXACTLY what type of memory you need (there are lots of different types).
Buying and fitting memory is pretty easy, but if you have never done it before it may be best to get help.
http://www.crucial.com/
It will tell you how much memory you have, how much memory your computer can take, and what TYPE of memory your computer takes.
You MUST write down EXACTLY what type of memory you need (there are lots of different types).
Buying and fitting memory is pretty easy, but if you have never done it before it may be best to get help.
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