windows virtual memory

[wenrisa]

i keep getting a message that the windows virtual memory is low... what does this mean? and how do I fix it?

[Cricket]

You get that message when the partition that Windows is on is running low on free disk space. The virtual memory (or swap file) is a reserved part of the hard drive that Windows uses like RAM, but since it's not really RAM but hard drive space it's called "virtual memory". This virtual memory space is dynamic or will expand or contract accordingly depending on what you're doing with the computer. If the hard drive free space falls below 100MB, Windows gets concerned and gives you that message. Windows will get real upset if the free space falls below 50MB.

To "fix" this, you have to free up space on that partition. Clear out all temp files and uninstall programs you aren't using.

You could also install a bigger hard drive and "clone" the contents of your existing hard drive to the new one.

What are the system specs of the computer in question?

What operating system are you using?

Cricket

[wenrisa]

Thanks Cricket... this is where I get more confused because my hard drive appears to have plenty of free space... it is partitioned into 2 and one has 71 GB and the other has 69.1 GB of available free space. I'm running XP Pro SP2.

[Force Flow]

If you've only gotten this once or twice, a reboot will cure it. If it happens frequently, you may need to increase the size of your page file (it should be double the amount of system RAM).

For changing the size of the page file, go here: http://www.pcmech.com/show/optimize/677/7 (it's at the bottom of the page).

Like Cricket said, if it's happening quite frequently, it may be time for a larger HDD.

[Cricket]

This Microsoft Knowledge Base article might help too.

Exactly when do you get that message? When opening a particular program? At start up? There are several Knowledge Base articles about low virtual memory in WinXP.

Cricket