Summary: Available Virtual Memory is controlled by a setting you can adjust. If you're constantly running low, you should look at what you're running.
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My PC tells me I don't have enough virtual memory. What do I need to do to get more? |
The amount of virtual memory your computer has available is controlled by a simple setting.
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You didn't indicate what operating system you are running. On Windows XP, look in Control Panel: System, Advanced, Performance, Settings, Advanced, Virtual Memory. I believe it's in a similar location in other versions of Windows.
IMPORTANT: usually running out of virtual memory means that you are running too many programs at the same time for your system or one of them is attempting to use too much memory. You might also want to check out what's running when this happens and how much memory each program is using.
Related:
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What is Virtual Memory? Virtual memory is conceptually somewhere between RAM and hard disk space; it's disk space used to maximize the amount of RAM available to programs.
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How can I tell what's running on my machine? You might be running many different programs on your computer and not even know it. Finding out what's running is easy using tools in Windows.
Article C2282 - February 14, 2005
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308417 is the link to help you understand adjusting your virtual memory. It says that whatever your RAM is (say 256) then multiply that by 1.5 to get your minimum and multiply that figure by 3 to get your maximum.
Posted by: Ben at December 10, 2007 7:17 PMHi there I am useing windows 98se in a raid 0 cofigureation plus I have ajusted my vertual memory,I have 512 megs of pc,100 sd ram and my seting`s are "minnimom mmemory 70" & maximom memory is 510,how much can can I rase the "min & max virtual memory,plus what would happen if I instaled another 512 meg`s of pc sd ram
Posted by: the great alsky at March 6, 2008 8:26 PMHi, I stumbled across this page via Google and just started having this problem. I recently installed the Program Prevx 2 the individual program.
Each time I do a file scan I get an Error message that my xpsp2 , 1gig is running low on virtual memory.
I mailed Prevx support and was told:
1. regedit and find key "KKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and to look for references to PrevxOne or Prevx2 file and delete the key.
2. Clear down Prevx2 local database to aid memory consumption (deleting files-reboot the computer and after startup immediately shutdown Prevx2
-delete all the *.dat files in the folder:
c:\documents and settings\all users\application data\prevx\*.dat
I am not sure what step 2 is all about and would appreciate lay persons jargon on what files, where they are and what this all means.
Posted by: Larry at May 8, 2008 1:23 PMI hope that I am not making an error in posting this comment in this topic, if so I do apologize.
I would really appreciate correction if I have committed an error in posting this and advice as to how I should post this.
Thank you for your time.
I have a Windows XP Home Edition PC that I brought a couple of years ago. As of recent, I have gotten occassional bubbles stating that my Virtual Memory is running low. I have noticed your instructions in regards to going to the Control Panel of your PC to look for sysem, advanced, performance, etc. However, when I went to my Control Panel, I did not see any of this. My compute model is a Dell. And also, I have 29-30 GB extra space on a 52.7 capacity and yet, my PC is running slow and staggers from time to time. Do you have any helpful do-it-yourself advice that would be easy to follow to resolve these areas for me? Thanks in advance.
Posted by: John Watkins at August 28, 2008 8:43 PMMy Ram output is too high for one of my games, and i need to lower it. How do i lower it?
26-May-2008
i just bought a new laptop, i have 4gb of ddr2 ram, a 2.4ghz amd duo proc. and 320 gb of space on my hd. the computer is already fast, but im just wondering what an appropriate number is to use under virtual memory settings where it says initial size (mb) and maximum size(mb), to speed it up even more.
There is no recommended setting. It depends on how you use your computer. What aplications and how many. I actually run one computer with NO virtual memory, since it has lots of RAM and I never need to push outside of that.
24-Nov-2008
Microsoft states that the recommended size of your paging file should be 1.5 times the size of your RAM for WINXP. 3 times the size for Vista.
Posted by: Beau Anderson at December 2, 2008 8:06 AMIf you are running enough ram in xp - windows likely will not use the virtual memory all that often. But in vista, you will see a lot of performance issues if it's not set correctly as vista (unless you're running ultimate) only sees 3GB of ram.
Hellow sir, I have toshiba satellite A100 series of notebook i have to increase my virtual memory. I did the same as u said but computer had failed to do so ...what r the possible reasons.. HELP..
14-May-2009
I have a Dell Dimension 2400 with windows xp 512 megs of ram.Windows is only showing 510 megs.Thought I had a virus and formated and reinstalled windows and the same thing shows up.Is this normal?If not how do I fix it?
Posted by: Ken at October 6, 2009 8:27 PMI have a emachine computer and 256 mb and i added more memory to it now i have 512mb, But i got a message and it said low virtual memory, computer store set it at 0 i think, what should the M B be now , and how high does it go thanks jane gardner
Posted by: jane at November 20, 2009 6:05 PM