Windows virtual memory minimum to low-WTF?

[gicantor]

Your system is low on virtual memory.

Windows is increasing the size of your virtual memory paging file.

During this process memory requests for certain applications maybe denied.


I gets this message about 3 times a week. When it shows up my computer slows right down till it's finished doing whatever it's doing.

What does it mean and how can I fix it?

[MuSuLPhReAk]

How much ram do you have?

[gicantor]

512MB


Edit: here's all the system stats

AMD Sempron 1.3GHz *
512mb of 333MHz DDR *
14.1" wide screen, with brightview
40gb 4200rpm hard drive *
CDRW-DVD drive *
Fax/modem
Ethernet
Broadcom 802.11b/g
3 USB 2.0 ports
1 Firewire
1 li-ion battery, 6 cell *

[MuSuLPhReAk]

How old is that thing?? :D

You are out of RAM. Either upgrade it or find out which program is eating your memory. If you have a lot of windows and programs open, that will be the problem. Firefox tends to have a memory leak and eats memory. If you don't know what it is, you can try looking at the task manager and see which program is sucking all the RAM. Regardless, you have too little RAM to be running in this age and time. I've got 4GB and find it just barely enough.

Virtual memory is when your computer is out of ram and it sections off a part of the hard drive to be used as ram. Much slower than the physical ram you have thus the very slow computer.

[gicantor]

How old is that thing?? :D

You are out of RAM. Either upgrade it or find out which program is eating your memory. If you have a lot of windows and programs open, that will be the problem. Firefox tends to have a memory leak and eats memory. If you don't know what it is, you can try looking at the task manager and see which program is sucking all the RAM. Regardless, you have too little RAM to be running in this age and time. I've got 4GB and find it just barely enough.

Virtual memory is when your computer is out of ram and it sections off a part of the hard drive to be used as ram. Much slower than the physical ram you have thus the very slow computer.


You have no idea lol

Yeah it's about 3 years old and slow as all hell lol. Running multiple windows is a no-no haha


So time to upgrade eh?

[gicantor]

Ahhh just found this your right:


if I click My computer>View system information>system properties>advanced>settings>performance options>advanced brings me to this:

Virtual memory

A paging file is a area on the hard disk that windows uses a if it were RAM. Total paging file size for all drives: 677MB

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Yup unless you just want to do very basic things.

I'm so itching to upgrade but waiting for the USB 3.0 ports to be available.

[icey_boi]

RAM is cheap to buy. Just go buy some more....

[gicantor]

K I'm going to best buy cause this thing is cooked anyway. All the USB ports are broke, the battery doesn't hold a charge, it takes 15 minutes to boot up( no bullshit) and is super slow.

The reason I haven't upgrade is I have alot of info I don't want to lose. So what are my options for transferring all my info to the new computer? Besides burning everything? Send it to an external hardrive?

[gicantor]

RAM is cheap to buy. Just go buy some more....

It's time for a new one I think everything is broken lol.

[MuSuLPhReAk]

It's laptop right?

[gicantor]

It's laptop right?

Yes sir

[MuSuLPhReAk]

If you have an external drive, that will be the less complicated way. If not, you'll need some network cables depending on your setup at home. Maybe crossover cable or just standard cables if you have a hub/switch. But it's no rush, if you're going for a new comp, research a bit till you find what you want. After you get it we can guide you through getting your stuff.

You may be able to upgrade for a lot cheaper, but if you really want a new comp then make sure you get at least 4gb's of RAM to keep up with what's coming out. I saw this week that futureshop is starting to push the i3,i5, and i7 cores. About time!!!

[gicantor]

I don't have an external but I would buy one if it makes the transfer process easier. I haven't really kept up on computers lately. Hows this look. I would like to keep it less than a grand.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10137967&catid=25254

[MuSuLPhReAk]

I'll let the guys give some recommendations. I haven't been researching that much lately so they may be able to help you find a better computer at a good price. That one is good but I'd have to research to see if you can get better.