Virtual Memory is managed better and without severely fragmenting the pagefile or your harddrive if you set it to a fixed size, that is, set the initial size to the same as the maximum. Since you are getting "vitrual memory low" messages, click "Custom..", double the number in the "Maximum Size" box and put that same number in the "Initial Size" box.
I have XP Home SP2 and this is how I get to virtual memory settings:
START | Control Panel | System | Advanced (tab) | Settings (1st one: Visual Effects...and virtual memory) | Advanced (tab) | Change (button at bottom) | choose the drive and click the Custom Size (radio button), then...
Double the maximim size and put that same number into the Initial size box.
And yes, you need more memory. Memory is pretty cheap these days. Crucial.com can tell you what memory is compatible with your motherboard. Get as much as you can afford that your mobo will accept. Toss the 512 chip (or two 256 chips) and get a matched duo of 1GB each, if that is feasible for you. More memory is pretty much the best thing you can do for your PC - way better than increasing the size of the pagefile..
--Anna Summers
-----Original Message-----
From: PCSOFT - Personal Computer software discussion list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lewis C. Emerson
Sent: Friday, 5 June 2009 6:05 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PCSOFT] Virtual Memory Query
Friends,
Twice during the past several months a message has popped up saying
something like "Your Virtual Memory is low. Windows is increasing your VM,
but some applications may be affected".
I'm ashamed to admit that I have absolutely no idea what is going on. The
machine is an Acer Laptop (Aspire 3003WLMi), running Windows XP Pro and with
512 MB DDR Memory.
Should this be increased to 1 GB or more? I have opened the case of two
desktops over the past 6 or 8 years and put in an extra memory stick. I
really didn't know what I was doing, but just followed the steps that came
with the Kingston (I think) memory. By some stroke of luck everything
worked just fine. I have been a radio ham op for 60+ years so was bit
familiar and at ease with electronic gadgets.
I am older now and more clumsy, and would be afraid of digging around inside
into the miniature (probably) innards of this thing
Gentle suggestions would be much appreciated.
Doc, W4ITJ.
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