whats virtual memory - as in computers

nightswimmer · *Last edited by nightswimmer : 11-05-2008 at 23:30.*

The computer uses part of the hard drive as extra 'fake' memory (for want of a better description)

Are you using XP? If so :

Right click on the "My Computer" icon and select 'Properties'

Click on the 'Advanced' tab.

Where it says 'Performance', click on 'Settings'.

Click on the 'Advanced Tab' (a different one), and there should be a bit at the bottom that tells you how much Virtual memory you have.

What does it say and how much normal memory do you have?

nipperkipper

Usually it would indicate that more RAM would be useful as your computer is truggling to find 'free' memory to run applications. Not 100% sure though

sassie

total paging file size for all drives 442MB

Shengis

Change it to 768 and see how you get on.

sassie

got Physical Memory : 256 MB DDR-SDRAM

nightswimmer

What Shengis said

256MB is pretty low though. Try changing the virtual memory first and see how you get on.

sassie

yeah it is low, keep meaning to get some more put in but sadly expenses for computers come seriously down the bottom of the list, and whe you see how much lappies go for new i wonder if its worth spending on this

sassie

how do i change it, just put in new numbers?

nipperkipper

CEX have 256 ddr2 RAM from 2 - 8 pounds - cant think of other cheap 2nd hand places

nightswimmer

I would probably set the Initial Size to 512 and the Maximum size to 768.

Then click on OK, and it should be done.

Shengis

Sass. Select NO paging file. Reboot. Set initial and max at 768. Reboot. That should give you a contiguous page file (means it runs a bit faster). It won't solve your problem but will alleviate the symptoms. To get rid of the problem completely you'll need to add more physical memory AND find out what programs are leaking the memory in the first place.

nightswimmer

If you are conflicted over who's advice to follow Sassie, don't be. Shengis' suggestion to set it as No Page file and reboot, before setting the size is a good one and I should have suggested it myself.

As for the actual sizes, it shouldn't make much difference which you choose to do.

Just thought I'd better mention it just in case you were confused/worried.

sassie · *Last edited by sassie : 12-05-2008 at 00:14.*

i take it reboot means restart comp, yeah?

right must go sleep, will check back in and do it tomorrow, thanks guys rep added

saayinla

Going by the theme currently on use by the computer, another thing that I ll suggest you do which will significantly increase you computer speed is to adjust the visual effect for best performance. This will free all the Ram that the computng is using for your theme and other effects. to do, control panel>system>advance tab>performance settings>visual effect> radio button adjust for best performance.

whats virtual memory - as in computers

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