Viewing Thread:
"What the heck does this mean?"

Just got a warning up on my computer saying "you have low virtual memory..." and lots of technical stuff.


Can anyone tell me what it means please? Also if it is something bad, what can I do about it?

Just got a warning up on my computer saying "you have low virtual memory..." and lots of technical stuff.


Can anyone tell me what it means please? Also if it is something bad, what can I do about it?

You've set off your PC's gaydar.

What version of windows do you use?

Using Win ME, right click my computer, select properties, the performance tab, click virtual memory and then check a box that says to let windows deal with it.

I would try following those steps if you can.

Just a suggestion.

I'm running Xp Prof edition.

Well I think that there are two main types of memory. Theres all the crap you store on your PC. And there is some reserve which is used for basic operations such as opening files, loading up windows etc. You seem to be low on that, my friend. Which means if you get too low your PC probably goes really slow or something.

Ok, fine, I don't know what I am talking about. Happy!?

Does it mean I need more Ram for my comp?

Will virtual memory only be used up once my ram can no longer cope?

I was running quite a lot of programmes when the warning came up. Hmm.

I have one gig of RAM, and XP still uses Virtual memory. Don't ask why, it's just Microsoft's way, though I do remember reading something useful about it.

Anyway, have you tried NB's suggestion? Make sure you don't edit any of the memory settings there, unless you REALLY know what you're doing.

Bouncer wrote:
> Does it mean I need more Ram for my comp?
>

This is what I suspect. If I were you I would try uninstalling unplayed games, getting rid of old MP3s. You know, the big memory hoggers. Or you can wipe your PC clean and scan disk it. DO NOT do this if you are not advanced, it requires installing everything again, and you would want to back up your hard drive and make sure you have the program discs.
That said, if you do clean it wholesale, your PC should run much better.

But if I am honest I may be wrong about the whole memory thing. But deleting some stuff shouldn't do any harm.

My hard drive space is nowhere near full, it is 1/4 used. It is a 40 gb and i have 28gb left. I have increased the allowance for virtual memory but bear in mind this is the first time it has ever happened to me.

Hopefully if I dont run as many programmes in future simultaneously it wont happen again.

Thanks for help all.