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tikibirds |
Virtual memory too low?? HUH? |
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Posts: 6615 (06/07/05 04:08:59) Loquacious Pony |
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Dancing Butterfly |
Re: Virtual memory too low?? HUH? | ||
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Posts: 1618 (06/07/05 04:52:44) Local user |
When the computer does that, it's increasing the size of the hard disk that virtual memory resides on. Typically it's an indication that a computer needs more RAM for the tasks you're using it for. Basically, you're trying to do too much at one time for the resources it has. RAM, which you can buy pretty inexpensively at the store these days btw, is the memory that holds what you're currently utilizing at your fingertips.
Say, you've got a game going, instant messenger going, you're downloading some music and burning a CD all at the same time, along with the virus scanner, the printer manager, the network connetion, etc that your PC does routinely. Your computer has to have all that at your fingertips, rather then just as stored information on the hard drive. The more RAM you have, the more of that stuff it can serve up to you quickly. If it runs out of room before you run out of things for it to be doing, it uses the hard drive to try to compensate. You'll also hear that space on the hard drive referred to as the swap file. My advice would be add more RAM if possible. Otherwise, here's some more info on managing the swap file. As always, free advice is at-your-own-risk, as I don't know what your comfort level with manipulating an operating system is. Optimize your Swap File |
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autumnberry |
Also... | ||
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Posts: 1279 (06/07/05 07:51:17) Astral Pony |
There's quite a few things that the virtual memory complaint can mean. It might have nothing to do with your physical memory at all, it really just depends on what you're doing when the message pops up. Some programs rely on physical memory for things (like scanning programs) and you just might not have enough allocated.
It could also simply mean it's time for a reboot. Windows is like a little miser when it comes to memory. The way memory is SUPPOSED to work is when you open a program, X amount of RAM is used. When you close a program, X amount of RAM is returned as free. But with Windows, when you open a program, X amount of RAM is used; when you close a program, X-Y amount of RAM is returned. *Why* anybody ever thought it was a good idea for Windows to start stashing that extra Y away into it's own personal hoard is beyond me. And the more programs you open and then close and open and close, you start getting Y+Y+Y+Y+Y+Y all stuffed into Windows' little stash, and suddenly you have a memory shortage. A reboot will sneak in and steal all those extra Ys back, though, and you'll start over with your full mass of RAM. |
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