|
Windows - Virtual Memory is
too low |
Q. I keep getting this error
message: "Virtual
memory
minimum is too low. Windows is increasing the size of the
virtual memory
paging file."
What does this mean?
A. Answer:
The virtual memory is the space your
computer
uses when it runs short of RAM memory. The paging file is the place
where
Windows
handles your virtual memory settings. If your computer wants to
change it, you should go ahead and let it because XP will adjust the
setting to meet the current memory needs. I do not recommend
changing these settings manually as Windows can manage the size much
more efficiently than the user can. Making your virtual memory
setting larger will increase the number of addresses and will make
Windows lazy.
Adding more RAM may
also be of benefit as this will reduce the need for virtual memory
to be used in the first place. For running Windows XP, I suggest at
least 384MB. In general, adding more RAM is the most
cost effective
means of boosting a computer's
performance.
I recommend buying quality RAM from a reputable company. Some cheap
(unbranded) RAM can on occasion be defective resulting in
'unexplained' crashes or freezes. Brands to look for are Mushkin,
Crucial and Kingston. To determine the price and availability for a
particular computer, select its manufacturer and then the model from
the menus on
Crucial's site:
http://www.5starsupport.com/xp-faq/1-18.htm |
