Virtual Windows Memory Question

Ladywriter1968

How much can I use on virtual windows memory if I have a 256mb ram?

Thanks

iamcornholio

Not sure what you are asking, but windows can be set to automatically use as much virtual memory (aka pagefile) as it needs. This is the optimum setting

If you set it manually, you can set what you like, but 1.5x your physical RAM is the minimum. It depends how much hard disk space you can spare, but if you allocate a greater pagefile, then windows will still only use what it needs, and you just end up wasting space and potentially slowing the system down

GeoffX

Virtual memory is actually part of your hard disk. When Windows run out of physical memory it dumps things to the hard disk. It makes the machine much, much slower - you'll notice the machine freezing and the hard disk light being stuck on. If you're running XP or newer you really need more memory - at least 512MB for XP and 1GB for Vista or 7, but the more the better. You're best off letting Windows allocate virtual memory as it sees fit.

closed

See your previous thread, you've got too much running at startup and a bloated antivirus

Ladywriter1968

thanks everyone for advice, I am getting more memory put in soon, 1g actually. Since reading your last advices on here about memory. Mine is only 256mb at moment. I am gradually getting to understand the memory side of things.

Ladywriter1968

iamcornholio wrote: »

Not sure what you are asking, but windows can be set to automatically use as much virtual memory (aka pagefile) as it needs. This is the optimum setting

If you set it manually, you can set what you like, but 1.5x your physical RAM is the minimum. It depends how much hard disk space you can spare, but if you allocate a greater pagefile, then windows will still only use what it needs, and you just end up wasting space and potentially slowing the system down

How does windows set it automatically?

The System Managed size? is that the automatic one?

[Deleted User]

Ladywriter1968 wrote: »

How does windows set it automatically?

The System Managed size? is that the automatic one?

Correct..............

rrf494g

Windows sets the size of virtual memory automatically, by calculating how much real memory you are attempting to use. It then subtracts the real memory size and allocates hard disk areas to "pretend" to be the rest of the memory you need. As each program runs, if the memory it needs is not in real memory, the operating system "pages" in (from disc) the memory you need, but in the process has to overwrite (and move out to hard disc) something else.

It's easy to see how, very quickly, this "bodge" will end up chasing its tail. Your computer then gets slower and slower. That is called thrashing in the science.

The two big reasons why computers (particularly laptops) run very, very slowly is thrashing , as above, plus too many "not-really-being-used" programs sitting in memory occasionally doing minor checks of this or that.

Most commercial programs that you buy, load themselves into memory (whether you are using them or not), automatically at start-up. They also load a second program that just sits checking if an upgrade is available, and if your licence is current. You have to keep on top of this or any pc will run slowly.

All of the above excludes the impact of "malware" that you may allow into your system from internet sites, that also creates programs that are constantly running.

regards