Hello,

I have been receiving the msg. "low on virtual memory" quite a bit lately. I usually sign off and then back on in order to use my system. Can give me advice on why I am receiving this message? As stated about my system resources: 31.9 GB free mem., but only 256 mg ram. Any suggestions as to how to improve the virtual memory would be greatly appreciated. I know just enough about computers to be considered "scary" and I need some advice.

Thanks alot!
c.vandegraft

Try going to system properties and then to advanced, then change the virtual memory setting to a larger value.

VM = RAM + Paging File
Paging File is on the HDD, and size is set by Windows as 1.5 times the amount of RAM.

Adding more RAM memory will increase Paging File
size, and thus Virtual Memory.

In Windows HELP, click Index, then type
glossary
Then double click that word below.
Then look up definitions of the words.

According to MSKB 837869:

Summary

When you receive an error message about low virtual memory, the program is trying to use more memory (RAM) than is available on the computer. You can adjust the virtual memory settings in Windows to work around this issue, or add more memory to the computer.

Workaround (Windows XP)

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.
3. On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.
4. On the Advanced tab, under Virtual memory, click Change.
5. Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging file that you want to change.
6. Under Paging file size for selected drive, click to select the System managed size check box, and then click Set.
7. Click OK three times.
8. Restart computer

HTH

i_XpUser

Spot on as always, XpUser .

If you have multiple drives showing in (step 5 above) ... you can click on each drive and select System managed size for each.

As stated above, click OK out of each of the dialog boxes.

Photoshop likes to use multiple 'scratch disks', that's why I have mine set this way.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/rgutier2/pagefile.jpg

Rich Gu

Oh Geez, 2nd posting, lost the first, here I go again. Still trying to figure out this "alert me" thing on this website, as I DO need additional help! Anyhow, I have tried what you all have suggested and realized the settings were as you recommended. A "computer consultant" set this up system for me, however, I am not dealing with him any longer for various reasons and need HELP! Any other suggestions for a "fix". Under SYSTEM, ADVANCED, PERFORMANCE, visual is marked "LET WINDOWS CHOOSE WHAT'S BEST FOR MY COMPUTER" after that ADVANCED is marked "ADJUST FOR BEST PERFORMANCE OF PROGRAMS" then virtual mem. shows paging size recommended as 379 mg. allocated 380 mg.(SYSTEM MANAGED).

Although I may sound like I know what I'm talking about, TRULY I am clueless! However, I DID get this far with your help. Any suggestions are much appreciated!

c.vandegraft

Hello, Just an additional note. The "computer consultant" has set up "administrator settings" on my system...perhaps I need to get into these files to make any significant changes? Welcome to my nightmare :-)

c.vandegraft

Tell it to use manuall settings giev it about 768 initial size meg and then in max size put 2000 that should shut it up. However if you want which is what i really suggest you do put it to about 1000 min and max that way the paging file should be large enough so it doesn't moan about it and will not reanomdly increase itself during game play, videos, editing music/videos etc. It also reduces the amount of reading and writing that needs to be done. The only sure fix is to increase physical ram from 256meg to about 512meeg or 768meg, most people have at least 512meg these days, some serious gamers haev 2 gig :P

My suggestion is to let Windows manage your virtual memory system. Or at least, do not set an upper limit for the page file size.

You aren't running out of hard drive space, are you.

Sorry, I do not check for private messages

Forgot to mention: There are programs that eat up a lot of memory and then do not release it when shutting down. You can use the System Monitor to see if this is the case.

Sorry, I do not check for private messages

... or Windows Task Manager. Right click on the Task bar ad select Task Manager. Check the Processes running and check which one's taking up the most memory.

i wish i were what i wished i were before i wished i were what i am now...

Okay, I still need help. Here are some stats., etc., I’ve located that might help you to help me better:

Physical mem. 259,888 kb under management console.

Page file size IS already set to “system managed” Should I change this setting to CUSTOM? As previously stated, “virtual mem. shows paging size recommended as 379 mg. allocated 380 mg."

33,099 mg avail. Under Performance/virtual memory. Also, received msg. “You must be logged in as Administrator to make most these changes”—

Rather confused and scared in System Monitor, I don’t know what any of that info. means (as I’m VERY laymen’s terms) didn’t understand, sorry not that computer literate :-)
I did however, do the “Task Manager” and checked the processes: Internet Explorer—taking up the max. at 18,000 kb, there are other various things listed under processes, various .exe extensions, but nothing above that amount., all together = ABOUT 110,000 kb.

Wanting to try first suggestion from Lupin3rd, but wondering if the Physical mem. Could be to blame (besides the low RAM of 256 mg) and would like to consider those factors as well.. If I better understood the SYSTEM MONITOR thing (probably under Admin. Settings?) I would appreciate more specific information on how to do that too.

I DO hope this makes sense to someone!
Thanks all for your help!

c.vandegraft

Additional note (if this helps any):

PHYSICAL MEMORY:

Total 259,888
Available 61,900
System Cache 111,664

c.vandegraft

Erm another thing, you should turn off some programs during startup, that would free more ram for your system. If you can go to Start>Run and type msconfig. Then the startup tab. Uncheck the things you know you don't need. Keep things like youir antivirus anb spyware stuff. If your unsure what to remove post back all the items in the list and we wil help you.

Okay, under msconfig--Startup under sys. Config. Utility (ALL THE FOLLOWING ARE CHECKED)I didn’t know how to copy and paste, it wouldn’t allow me, so I’m typing the startup items as they appear:

(Good Lord! I hope you can interpret this, it didn't transfer like it looked from Word! SO SORRY!)

Igfxtray C:\WINDOWS\System HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer.
Hkcmd C:\WINDOWS\System HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer
SHSTAT “C:\Program Files\Net HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer
UpdaterUI “C:\Program Files\Net HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer
NeroCheck C:\WINDOWS\system HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer
InCD C:\Program Files\Ahea HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer
Jusched C:\Program Files\Java HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer
Srng \Program Files\Srng\Sr HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer
Qutask “C:\Program Files\Quic HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer
Sm56hlpr sm56hlpr.exe HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer
P2P Networking C:\WINDOWS\System HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer
Trayctl “C:\Program Files\AT& HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer
Ctfmon C:\WINDOWS\system HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer
Microsoft Office C:\PROGRA~1\MICR common startup
AdDestroyer C:\PROGRA~1\ADDES startup
Virtual Bouncer C:\PROGRA~1\VBoun startup

c.vandegraft

Agg when you looked there should have been a list to the left of this which simply says the name and extension (like NeroCheck.exe) that would be handier :P. Can you do that?

Okay, hopefully, this will be easier...I apologize for that last one. There are no extensions on these--they are as they appear below under the menu. Thanks for your patience.

Startup item:

igfxtray
hkcmd
SHSTAT
UpdaterUI
NeroCheck
InCD
jusched
Srng
qttask
sm56hlpr
P2P Networking
trayctl
ctfmon
Microsoft Office
AdDestroyer
Virtual Bouncer

c.vandegraft

These can safely be turned off:

NeroCheck
InCD
jusched
qttask
Microsoft Office

P2P Networking
is adware, and should be removed.

Rich Gu

Microsoft Ofiice
NeroCheck
InCD
jusched
qttask
Possibly these aswell
jusched
Virtual Bouncer
sm56hlpr
igfxtray (thats your graphics adapter menu in the bottom)
hkcmd
trayctl

if that turns off anything important turn one back on at a time and see if the important thing is back.

YAAAAY! My computer is working nicely now. I start online classes Tuesday and just can't express my thanks to you all for your help. I'm so lucky I found this help forum! Take care all.

c.vandegraft

Thanks for the reply. It's amazing how many people don't respond telling us if it worked or not. :P