Having some computer issues...

[ice_mann]

I've been having some minor techinical difficulties with my computer at home, it keeps telling me that I'm low on "virtual memory". I know this is probably going to sound like a dumb question but what is "virtual memory", and how does one go about increasing it. Keep in mind that I'm not a very computer savy person, so lamens terms would probably be best. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

[Evo_Spec]

seems like everything you need to know, it was the first link on google.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_memory" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

says you need more ram

[h3xt0r]

seems like everything you need to know, it was the first link on google.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_memory" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

says you need more ram

Could be that he is running to much crap too, or running out of hard drive space as well. (Low harddrive space, system cuts back on VM, thus low VM warnings.) Get CCleaner and turn off stuff you don't need on boot. Buck says that gets rid of your problem.

CCleaner: http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ice_mann]

I probably should have mentioned that this computer is pretty old, probably around almost 10 years. I dont think that I'm running too much crap, all I've got is a external HD (that stays unpluged unless I'm using it) and a printer/scanner and as far running out of space... I'll have to check when I get home. I just put CCleaner and cleaned out everything a couple of days ago and moved a bunch of stuff over to the external, doing that seened to speed it up a bunch.
My next question, if I need to go out and buy some RAM (something that I've never done before) what am I looking for?

[h3xt0r]

I probably should have mentioned that this computer is pretty old, probably around almost 10 years. I dont think that I'm running too much crap, all I've got is a external HD (that stays unpluged unless I'm using it) and a printer/scanner and as far running out of space... I'll have to check when I get home. I just put CCleaner and cleaned out everything a couple of days ago and moved a bunch of stuff over to the external, doing that seened to speed it up a bunch.
My next question, if I need to go out and buy some RAM (something that I've never done before) what am I looking for?

10yrs old? Probably looking at a new computer. (Not joking, they might not make your RAM style anymore.) Whos the manufacturer of the PC and whats the model and I can tell you what to get and where.

[ice_mann]

Well then, a new computer eh? Why didnt I see that coming . The make and model, I'm not sure but I can tell you if is definitely a pretty cheapo one, I can probably get that tomorrow afternoon/evening.

[Gro Harlem]

right-click "My Computer" on the desktop (or in your start menu) and then click Properties

Click the Advanced Tab then under Performance click "Settings..."

In Performance Options click Advanced Tab. Under Virtual memory click "Change"

See what it says as far as how much virtual memory is set. Increase it manually and click "Set" if you want. This may help.

But if your computer is 10 years old..get a new one!! Sounds like you have too little RAM to run the program(s) you are trying to run. Cmon now....you can get a decent compy for $300 these days.

[Daninski]

You needs RAM I gots ram. I do have some SD and DDR but you'd need to check how much your running right now. Start, Settings, Control Panel, System. If you add more your system may not recognise it anyway.

[Dragon1212]

Okay virtual memory is basically you CPU's desk space, now some times the CPU uses hard drive space as ram and when you have small amounts or RAM. This works fine for normal computing as long as you don't run low on harddrive space once you run low on space on your harddrive the cpu has to give it back now depending on how much ram you have and what operating system is on the machine the "Virtual Ram" will get smaller resulting in less virtual memory, YOU need RAM. but its very important that you find out what type (DDR, DDR2, DDR3, or SD) In a computer that is over 10 years its is Most likely SD and maybe DDR. That computer is really old, and may not support alot more ram you would have to look up the motherboard to find out what the max is.