need suggestions about my virtual memory being to low.

[jordan68]

every time i turn on the computer it tells me my virtual memory is to low.i have windows xp profetional.what can i do or buy to fix this?

 

[Snakeyeskm]

Virtual memory refers to your swap file. Windows augments your installed memory with space on your hard drive. Normally windows will by default set the swap file size automatically. However if your hard drive is full the swap file cannot be created in sufficient size resulting in the message you are getting.
Check your Hard drive for scace and if necessary clean out your Hard drive to free up space.
Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Cleanup
Failing that it might be time to get a larger Hard drive.
Also check an earlier post that outlines the steps for resetting the size of the swap file in case it has been inadvertently changed.
thread602-452449

 

[smah]

It took a while to find with the search function not working, but this thread should help you out:

thread779-203383

 

[mutt511]

it has been my experience that the windows managed swap file is always asking for trouble. In my opinion, setting your min and max to double whatever your ram is is the best and most stable way to go. if anyone can argue that please let me know, maybe i am wrong

 

[Snakeyeskm]

Mutt511 is absolutely right. A fixed swap file prevents thrashing of the drive and reduces fragmentation. Preferably on a different drive than the one the OS is located on.
However in WinXp there are other ramifications . System restore requires swap file on each partition and error logging is not possible if there is no swap file on the primary drive etc. Zero Mistakes = Zero Experience
And Boy do I have experience !

 

[klimpa]

as stated on the above 2 posts is the way to go IMO as well.

 

[Snickle]

In Help and Support on WinXP and a search on paging file is this statement in change the size of the virtual memory paging file:
"For best performance, set the initial size to not less than the recommended size under Total paging file size for all drives. The recommended size is equivalent to 1.5 times the amount of RAM on your system."