Topic: What is Windows Virtual Memory. ?

[Ravok]

 What is windows virtual memory? and why is mine allways too low???

 I'm a PC moron. So please explain as you would, to an idiot.

[Sirgod]

As I understand it, Virtual Memory is Memory used by the HD, instead of those long green stick things on your Motherboard.

Now you can click on start Control panel, performance and maintenance then finally system to bringup my computer thing.

Then click on the Advanced tab at the top and where it says Performance, click that box that reads settings.

Click advanced once more, and look at the bottom there...

It will say Virtual Memory.

A paging file is an area on the Hard Disk that windows uses as if it where RAM.

From here you can adjust the settings. I think I have 3 gig of real ram, and then 2049 MB set on my Virtual ram.

Give me a call if you need more help bro.

Stephen

[Nemesis]

Virtual Memory for Dummies

Your computer has real memory and virtual memory.  The virtual memory is in fact a special data file stored on your hard disk (called a swap file). 

When Windows "thinks" that it needs to free up some of your computers real memory it chooses things that are currently in memory but not being used to write to "virtual memory" to make room in real memory for things that are more important and more active.

If you are making extensive use of your swap file it is likely that you really should (if practical) add more real memory as accessing virtual memory dramatically slows the system.  Also when practical I prefer to have the swap file on its own partition with nothing else stored there as I find the system operates more stably that way.

Other operating systems also use virtual memory.  In the case of Linux for example they use a partition just for virtual memory.  This special partition also is formatted with a file system optimized for use as virtual memory.

[Ravok]

 That make sense. I do need more real memory. Matter of fact im taking the old girl in next week for some upgrades.

 I would get a new PC, but I really don't want Vista. If it screws up my games, I have no use for it.

 Thanks guys.

[Centurus]

XP is still available for purchase through some stores that sell OEM copies of Windows, and also through online stores like Newegg.

[Ravok]

XP is still available for purchase through some stores that sell OEM copies of Windows, and also through online stores like Newegg.

 Whats an OEM copy??

[Nemesis]

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer.

OEM versions of Windows are sold by Microsoft to computer manufacturers to bundle with new computers.  They are functionally identical to a full retail install but don't come packaged the same way.  The versions I have seen are a shrink wrapped book with the CDs wrapped with it. 

[toasty0]

That make sense. I do need more real memory. Matter of fact im taking the old girl in next week for some upgrades.

 I would get a new PC, but I really don't want Vista. If it screws up my games, I have no use for it.

 Thanks guys.

Dude! Get yourself an Ultimate Vista box with 4gig RAM and two core CPU. Then use a vitual image of xp to play your legacy games.

[Panzergranate]

I've a booklet, somewhere, that came with my old COMPAQ Portable (Lugable) 2 for installing and setting up Windows 2.03. It explains a bit more clearly what Virtual, Expandable and Real Memory plus how to set it up in the days of AUTOEXEC.COM and SYSTEM.SYS files back then.

However, WINDOWS still operates the same way today as back then, except that 2.03 was more reliable than XP....