Windows XP: Windows Virtual Memory is too low--what's that all about?
- 8/7/09 1:17 PM
virtual memory
by greybear70 - 7/25/09 12:11 AM In reply to: Windows Virtual Memory is too low--what's that all about? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The "virtual memory" that a game creates is separate from the OS virtual memory. There is NO corelation between the user's problem and the Win page file. Assuming that your machine meets the minimum requirements for the game, the lock up is telling you one of two things - You do not have sufficient free space on your drive, OR you need to defrag your drive (to create sufficient contiguous space).
Easy way to recover HUGE amounts of free hard drive space. Set Recycle Bin to use 1% of drive. In Internet Explorer, set your Temporary Files setting to 10 meg: In IE, on the menu bar, select TOOLS-INTERNET OPTIONS, GENERAL TAB; click SETTINGS BUTTON- set AMOUNT OF DISK DRIVE SPACE TO USE.(delete files while there). Run defrag. Also, it wouldn't hurt to add more RAM. GOOD LUCK
Solution for Windows Virtual Memory is too low Message ?
by netcom67 - 7/25/09 1:45 AM In reply to: Windows Virtual Memory is too low--what's that all about? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If you are using Windows Xp SP2 then your problem will be solved by increasing the size Virtual Memory, steps for that are ar below :
1. Right Click on My Computer
2. Promperties
3. Advanced
4. Performance -------- Settings
5. Advanced ( again )
6. Vitrual Memory
where u find --
Total paging file size for all drives - ????
now select change and increas the size of memory.
your problem will be solved 100%.
Regards
Jayesh Patel
abcus@rediff.com / xanaxtech@gmail.com
videocard
by wariordave3 - 7/25/09 2:24 AM In reply to: Windows Virtual Memory is too low--what's that all about? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
maybe ur videocard has to low graphics or it aint fast enough
virtual memory issues
by Sporati - 7/25/09 3:31 AM In reply to: Windows Virtual Memory is too low--what's that all about? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Well this is just a guess and a longwinded one, but the issue is probably in regards to how many processes are set to run at start up. Any programs that have been given carte blanc access to check for updates at start up, I honestly only allow antivirus to check, will cause increased load times at start up and use more memory.
Virtual memory is probably being used because the amount of RAM, is probably too little for all the programs/processes you have running. Virtual Memory basically takes a section of your hard drive and allocates it to use as a buffer when your RAM has run out of room to deal with all the processes running. I may be a little off here, and someone feel free to correct me as I don't have any formal training.
How to fix this, there are a couple options since I dont know how much space your hard drive has used/free, your amount of RAM.
Option one
right click my computer, choose properties. There should be an advanced tab, pardon my xp is a little rusty, then there should be a performance settings button I believe. Under performance options you will want to select the advanced tab, which should have your virtual memory setting. Double the number that you currently have allocated, apply, then reboot your pc to see if you still have an issue. If there is still an issue you can try to increase some more, but I wouldnt suggest making the paging file too large.
Option two
A little more complex and can be scary if you dont know what you are doing. You might want to back up your system before doing this as a mistake might cause issues with the OS.
I would suggest going to Microsoft
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx
and download Process Explorer(freeware). This is a nice little program that works similar to task manager. The difference being this gives better details on which commands are tied to which processes running. Otherwise you can view the processes under task manager. Don't open any programs after you boot up, check to see if any of your processes are utilizing an unusually large portion of your processor. Do this by looking at the CPU numbers under processes. Make note of anything other than system idle using more than say 10%. Since you have just logged into your pc, most start up processes should key down and system idle should be in the 90's. Do this just to make sure something isnt hogging your processor in the background.
Next
Run MSconfig
Go to the start up tab
Expland each column so you can read exactly what is running at start up. If there is something you are not sure of, make a note, and do a search online for the *.exe in the command column, so if you see something like KHALMNPR.exe, and you want to know what it is exactly, do a search online to see what type of program it is. In this case its a logitech Setpoint which is clearly visibly labeled in the startup Item column, but chances are you might have something that has no name in the start up column. Basically you will want to uncheck any start up items that aren't necessary for the programs you regularly use. Some installed programs load things into startup for convenience however they arent convenient or necessary to have running all the time. Lexmark and Logitech are notorious for requiring unnecessary software to run their drivers that want access to the internet on start up. And my guess this is probably the issue you are having, too many programs want access for updates on startup.
Option Three
I would suggest getting Revo Uninstaller(freeware), you can find it in Cnet downloads area. Use it to uninstall any software that you installed and no longer use. Make certain you know what you are uninstalling as some programs needed by the OS you may not recognize. Read the manual for Revo because it can go in and remove registry entries and uninstall all traces of the programs if you choose the highest level of cleaning. Revo also has the ability to change what is loaded at start up and quite a few other options that could affect performance one way or another if you aren't careful.
Anyway, once you finish any one of these options, I'd suggest checking to see if you hard drive needs to be defragmented and run disk cleanup, since you have been changing the settings and possibly uninstalling. Its good to defrag once a month just so your system isnt being overtaxed. If you still have issues after one, then try the next. If you are still having issues after all three options you might want to do a thorough virus scan to make sure you aren't infected with a virus or spyware that is tieing up system resources. If all else fails, you might want to just do a clean install of the OS. This should always be a last resort as you'll probably be looking at a few days of downtime getting all the programs reloaded, if you dont have a back up copy of your files. But since you dont know what is causing the issue at this point a back up might be pointless as restoring from a back up might just cause the same problems as before.
Thats the best advice I can give you without knowing much more information. The software suggestions are both freeware and shouldnt add to the startup issue as they are not necessary programs. Lastly if you still have issues after a clean install, you might want to do a memcheck, make sure your RAM is ok, and a scandisk. I tried to be as thorough as possible with solutions. If anyone feels like clarifying or making this easier to read, go ahead. Good luck and I hope this helps
Random Access Memory(RAM)
by frollo17 - 7/25/09 3:53 AM In reply to: Windows Virtual Memory is too low--what's that all about? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I Believe it is just because your computer doesn't have enough RAM. You will need to upgrade the RAM or by making some adjustments to Windows interface or if you are Using Vista disable the Aero feature
Potential Infection
by bgibson.PT - 7/25/09 5:13 AM In reply to: Windows Virtual Memory is too low--what's that all about? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have seen this alot in many different versions of windows. The problem is that you have used up all your RAM and also the vitual memory which is memory emulated by the hard drive is no longer large enough to hold what windows needs to swap into memory. Ideas like upgrading the memory are good but may only be a temporary fix. Usually when i see this there is some type of infection or many on the computer. I recommend trying some standard removal tools like combofix and malwarebytes. Then follow it up with a full scan by your antivirus solution. After which if you still get this error you can use either msconfig or my preference is to use ccleaner to check what is starting up and remove unnecessary thing. Things like file sharing programs can use large amounts of memory and often default to auto start on windows boot. If after doing that you still get the error you will have to do a memory upgrade. If you go to www.crucial.com they have a scanner that will tell you what memory is in your pc and what are the recommended upgrades. Good Luck
Too many start-up programs
by clap_clap - 7/25/09 5:14 AM In reply to: Windows Virtual Memory is too low--what's that all about? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
When you start up your computer, a list of programs automatically get opened, such as essential system services, anti virus (if you have one) and perhaps some programs for your printers or storage devices. MSN messenger is also a common one.
All these programs take up space in your RAM. RAM stores data for your open programs to use. When you run out of RAM your computer uses some of your hard-drive, this is called virtual memory and it is of a set size in order to stop it overtaking your whole hard drive.
So if you have loads of programs trying to do things, it will use lots of RAM and virtual memory.
You could purchase more RAM, which I recommend if you require all those programs that open at start-up.
Or you could remove these programs from the start-up list.
This is how to do it in windows xp, I presume admin privileges are needed:
Using the run command prompt, search for "msconfig.exe". From the tabs at the top of the screen that should appear, select "startup".
This shows a list of all programs that open at startup. You can uncheck the programs you want to remove from the startup list, or you can click "disable all" which unchecks all items. Disabling all should not do any harm, as system services and anti virus' will overwrite this request and re enable themselves.
Doing this will reduce the number of programs opening on start-up and reduce your virtual memory (and RAM) usage.
If the error message occurs often during normal use (only a few programs running) I suggest you do a virus scan, as some virus' can manipulate ram usage.
clap,clap.
by shafiqkhan31 - 8/10/09 4:37 AM In reply to: Too many start-up programs by clap_clapThank you sir, so succinct and to the point. Well done. I had just finished wipping clean my start up. I was not too sure of the "disable all" tag.
Clap clap indeed.
shafiq
Set Paging File
by rogermac203 - 7/25/09 5:18 AM In reply to: Windows Virtual Memory is too low--what's that all about? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Instructions for XP Settings. Will also work with Visa settings.
1) Delete your paging file - Right-click on My Computer and choose Properties. Select the Advanced tab, then click on the Settings button in the Performance box. Click on the Advanced tab, then the Change button. Select the No paging file radio button, click Set, then OK. Click on the next OK button, then reboot.
2) Run Scandisk with the /f and /r parameters - Click, Start, choose Run, then type cmd in the text box and click OK to open a command line window. Type "chkdsk /f /r" without quotation marks and press the Enter key. Press Y and the Enter key to make Scandisk run next time you reboot. Now Reboot. This will take a while; if you have a large disk or partition to scan, you might want to start the task as bedtime, and let the PC work overnight.
3) Run Defrag - Choose Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Defragmenter. Choose the hard disk that your paging file will live on (usually C:) and click Defragment. When defragmentation is complete, reboot.
4) Re-create your paging file - Right-click on My Computer and choose Properties. Select the Advanced tab, then click on the Settings button in the Performance box. Click on the Advanced tab, then the Change button. Select in megabytes Initial and Maximum sizes. (Note that "Initial size" is equal to the size of the permanent part of your semi-permanent paging file, and the difference between the two sizes is the maximum size of the temporary part. Make them the same number for a fully permanent paging file if you want to sacrifice a little disk space for a little performance boost.) Click Set, then on the OK buttons to exit, then reboot.
One last optimization note: After all this, check to see if your paging file is fragmented. Launch Disk Defragmenter and click Analyze. In a few seconds a dialog box will pop up. Click View Report. In the Volume Information window, find Total Fragments under the Pagefile fragmentation section. If the number is higher than one, you've got a fragmented paging file. To fix this, you need to create space on your disk--- ideally at least 25% of the disk capacity should be free. You can do this by temporarily moving files to another drive. Follow steps 1, 3 and 4 above to delete your paging file, defrag the disk again, then re-create the paging file. With enough space, Windows will create it all in one contiguous area of the disk for maximum performance.
Not too difficult
by Themisive - 7/25/09 6:16 AM In reply to: Set Paging File by rogermac203The paging file aka virtual memory, is set by Windows. Normally it only works on the first of your drives, and if like me you have several drives and the one your O/S is on is fairly small, it may well be worth extending it to cover at least one of the other drives.
For instance I use an 80 Gb drive for the O/S and associated files like sound and vidio, but have 2 250Gb drives for everything else. Go to Start/Settings/Control Panel/Administrative Tools Open this programme, the right click on Computer Management (Local) and select proerties; click on the Advanced Tab and look for the buttono that will bring up virtual memory, it's marked [Change], click on this a new screen will opeen, lok at this, at the bottom is another button marked [Change], click on this and a new screen will open showing your current virtual memory settings.
Make your changes then click on OK at the bottom of the page, then OK on the next page, then OK on the page after that, then lick on the X in the top right of the box to exit Computer Management and do the same to leave Administrative Tools. Now close control Panel as normal, and your new settings are locked in.
Remeber though you will have to be logged in as adminstrator to make these changes, so if you DOON'T have administrative rights, get the person who does do it for you.
Cleanup
by Randy Walter - 7/28/09 3:00 PM In reply to: Set Paging File by rogermac203Hey, rogermac203:
Before I run Scandisk and defrag I run the Diskcleanup.
Use the flagkey (or startkey, if you will) -> all programs -> accessories -> systems tools -> diskcleanup -> choose the files you want -> select the drive (probably c:\) -> more options -> then click the system restore and shadow copies cleanup button. System backups can use up quite a bit of file space as the multiple backups begin to pile-up. If you remove them before running system maintenance programs you can cut down your processing time signinficantly.
d:\ drive
by Randy Walter - 7/28/09 3:16 PM In reply to: Cleanup by Randy WalterOh, BTW, I forgot to mention Dell provided a VISTA OS backup on the d:\ drive which can be used only one time. Then you have to use the Microsoft disks. I deleted everything on the d:\ drive that I could and saved a lot of disk space on that partition.
Reply to Question: Windows Virtual Memory is too Low
by donaldr - 7/25/09 6:06 AM In reply to: Windows Virtual Memory is too low--what's that all about? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Marilyn H,
This message you see is quite common if your computer has less memory than it should have. If you are running Windows XP as your operating system, you need at least 1GB of memory installed into your computer. If you are Windows Vista your memory requirements are much higher (around 2GB). The real meaning of 'Windows Virtual Memory is too Low' is that your computer is trying to access your hard drive to grab extra memory required. You could buy extra memory these days relatively cheap and I suggest adding extra memory to overcome this issue. If you are not aware of how to find what type of memory you need to fit into your computer you could go to http://www.crucial.com and allow their memory test to run a scan on your computer. It will do an automatic scan and identify what type of memory you require, including all available sizes and the price per memory bank you can buy from them. Once you know the type of memory you need adding it to your computer is relatively easy. Crucial will send you an installation guide with the appropriate memory module you purchase from them.
Hope this answer helps you to solve your issue.
Regards.
Donald
Reply to Question: Windows Virtual Memory is too Low
by vattan2005 - 8/7/09 10:00 PM In reply to: Reply to Question: Windows Virtual Memory is too Low by donaldrYou say, "This message you see is quite common if your computer has less memory than it should have. If you are running Windows XP as your operating system, you need at least 1GB of memory installed into your computer. If you are Windows Vista your memory requirements are much higher (around 2GB)."
Not too sure about that! I am running XP Professional on a PC that has only 512 MB of RAM (that is the maximum RAM the motherboard accepts) and have never gotten that message! And, the PC runs smooth as ever!
Help! Caught in a Virtual Vortex
by geofbrewer - 7/25/09 6:36 AM In reply to: Windows Virtual Memory is too low--what's that all about? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Sorry, wrong thread. Actually, it's a nice little message saying my resources, that is the computer, have reached their max. Typically, Windows fixes the problem on it's own, but warns you that some requests you initiate or a program you started, but is running in the background may not get access to resources until you stop or end the program or programs that need those same resources. It's all a matter of priorities. Computers can't do it all at once. Everything a computer does is a step by step process. The computer just does it very fast. The operating system then can allocate time slices to the various demands placed on it. Now, can this annoying but important message but stopped? Yes, but it will cost you. Since you did not give any particulars as to your system's specifications, we'll take it step by step. You make a decision based on your monetary resources.
Memory. You might need more memory, or rather your computer needs more memory. Prices are relatively cheap. How much you need is best determined by your trusty technician. Your system board has an upper limit. Depending on the age of your system, you may or may not be able to add more memory.
Operating system. The operating system has a limit to how much memory it can address. If you have an older Windows, you may need to upgrade.
Hard disk drive. Rarely, do people need larger hard drives, unless you have an older system. Your hard drive can be used for swap space in paging schemes. In the old days this was a viable fix.
Now each of the above interact as well. It's not necessarily a single thing. There are a host of little things which may, in the interim, help as well.
What to do? It all depends on what you use your system for and how much money you have to allocate for a fix. You may be better off getting a new system.
Live long and prosper.
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