virtual memory

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Two Or Three Things Come Into Play

by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Feb 6, 2009 9:43AM PST

Virtual Memory is the amount of RAM/resources being used to run the various programs. In order to eliminate the problem, please try the options below:

1. Let Windows adjust its own memory. (Open the Control Panel, then double click on the "System" icon. When that opens, click on the 'Advanced' tab, then the "Performance Options" button.. Under "Virtual Memory", click on the "Change" button. When that opens, select the C: drive, then make sure the "System Managed Size" Or "Let Windows Manage size" is selected..) Basically, you're letting Windows adjust the Virtual Memory when necessary.. This is usually the default setting. If this doesn't work, then it is possible to raise the Virtual Memory amounts by following the instructions below:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/837869

2. Eliminate unnecessary startup programs and services. Try the basic steps in the links below to eliminate unnecessary startup Services.. Follow the chart guidelines for "Safe".:

http://www.blackviper.com/WIN2K/servicecfg.htm

In addition, you can prevent unnecessary programs from loading at startup by following the steps in the link below. But first, I install the Windows XP 'msconfig" utility using the instructions in THIS LINK.:

For Windows 2000/XP, ignore the first couple of sentences about checking "resources" and the "Performance Tab" in the link below but follow the rest of the procedures including the "Services" links at the bottom.

How To Shut Down Unnecessary Start Up Programs

3. Add RAM.. You didn't mention how much RAM is install on the computer, but on W2000, I feel 512 MB is a good minimum to start with unless you're a gamer and in that case, you'll want as much as you can get. Do you have that much RAM installed?

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Re: virtual memory

by LivnLovnNLernn Feb 6, 2009 10:39AM PST

I don't know how much RAM. I have. Is there a way to find out? What are the startup programs and services? I have NT, I don't have XP. Will this affect the way I do this? Or will I have to take it in to a service center?.............Thank you for your help.

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No, You Have Windows 2000 Which Is Different From...

by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Feb 7, 2009 5:32AM PST

...the older Windows NT.. At least, in your first post, you said you had Windows 2000 NT, so I assume you were correct. In addition, I didn't say you had Windows XP.. I'm not sure why you brought it up. So at this time, Which one DO YOU have? (RIGHT click on "My Computer" on your desktop, choose "Properties".. It will tell you the operating system you have as well as the amount of RAM installed.)

As to the startup programs and services, (they are programs, services, and processes that load at startup and run in the background), you clearly didn't read the information or link I provided earlier. Please do so and proceed on with those instructions.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Grif - Why XP he brought it up

by anmor Feb 7, 2009 6:11AM PST

I think this line may have confused him: "But first, I install the Windows XP 'msconfig"

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Understood...

by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Feb 7, 2009 9:07AM PST

Yet, I instructed to "....install the Windows XP 'msconfig" utility using the instructions in THIS LINK".

If one READS that link, they should see that it discusses the use of use of the msconfig utility on Windows 2000. It's also why I suggested to re-read the links I provided. Thanks though...

Hope this helps.

Grif

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LivnLovnNLernn, Your Post Was Removed..

by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Feb 9, 2009 6:49AM PST

Personal attacks and foul language are not allowed per the forum policies..

Back to the issue at hand which is to solve your virtual memory warning problem. Let's try again. Despite your feelings that you were slighted, have you tried the suggestions to fix the issue?

You asked how to determine how much RAM you have. Since this IS a "newbies" forum.... A suggestion was given which will tell you how to determine the exact version of Windows you're using and how much RAM is installed.(If you're not aware, Windows 2000 Professional, which is based on NT technology is not is not called Windows 2000 NT or Windows NT. In your last post, you said: "I have NT, I don't have XP" Windows NT is a much older version of Windows which isn't fully supported anymore.. So..do you have Windows 2000 or Windows NT? Here at this location, I've got about 20 Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 computers and none of them show they are "Windows 2000 NT" .) So, do you now know how much RAM is installed on the computer? And which operating system do you have?

IF you have Windows 2000 Professional, have you tried installing the "msconfig" utility per the instructions in the link provided, then follow the steps in the other link which will help remove memory hogging programs from startup.. ("msconfig" is a utility from Windows XP which will also work in Windows 2000 to help eliminate startup programs and processes.)

Have you followed the steps at the BlackViper site to eliminate unnecessary services?

Hope this helps and let us know more.

Grif

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vm settings

by white-bread Feb 10, 2009 1:55PM PST

You'll have to right click the disk to set the vm.
Set it at 2x the physical ram.
follow the other suggestions about limiting startup services.
Some media can transfer data faster than a hard disk. You may want to place the paging files there.

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Is that right? 2X Physical?

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 10, 2009 9:03PM PST

Let's say I have one of those new 3 or 4 GB machines and the common 32 bit Windows versions. None of these allow my to put in 6 or 8 GB in that box.

Maybe this advice needs updating?
Bob

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Vm twice physical

by white-bread Feb 11, 2009 1:21PM PST

Windows sets the paging to be random.
The system starts using the space before the memory is completely used.
The two times rule is the old standard for unix/linux systems.
Since you want to be an *** about it:
Six to eight gigabytes of disk dedicated for swap/paging is not a bad safety setting.
A flash drive can be used for paging/swapping to reduce wear and tear on the hard drive and to allow faster data transferring.
No, the information isn't outdated. I do graphics rendering and I use swap space constantly.

On windows: Microsoft does not make any hardware product.
A mother board does not come with a cpu unless it is an embedded type: ppc, sparc, arm, m68k, etc. Understand? there is no memory installed.

If you can't set the size of the paging area, then you need to get a new OS. plain and simple.

Windows is still a 32bit OS. It's limited to 3.7 G max. Anything greater than this is only used for data storage. 32bit name length.

If the machine in question is really 3 to 4 G, then you would have:
Risc OS, acorn os, linux, bsd, windows ce, qnx, minix. Understand? The number given here is the total size of available and used space on the computer in question.

Is there anything else that I can correct you on?

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"Is there anything else that I can correct you on?"

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 11, 2009 9:03PM PST

Thanks for your reply. I think you could correct all my answers given enough time.
Bob

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virtual memory

by davidlansik Feb 12, 2009 12:37AM PST

Virtual Memory can be increased by updating RAM

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That surely is a wrong remark.

by Kees Bakker Feb 12, 2009 12:42AM PST

Because virtual memory isn't RAM, but a file on the hard disk.

No need to make things still more complicated for the OP than necessary by providing such mis-information.

Kees

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