Windows IT Pro is the leading independent community for IT professionals deploying Microsoft Windows server and client applications and technologies.
  
  
  Advanced Search 



What is Virtual Memory?

RSS
Subscribe to Windows IT Pro | See More Windows NT 4.0 Articles Here | Reprints | Or get the Monthly Online Pass—only $5.95 a month!

A. Virtual Memory makes up for the lack of RAM in computers by using space on the hard disk as memory, Virtual Memory. When the actual RAM fills up (actually its before the RAM fills) then virtual memory is created on the hard disk. When physical memory runs out, the Virtual Memory Manager chooses sections of memory that have not been recently used and are of low priority and writes them to the swap file. This process is hidden from applications, and applications views both virtual and actual memory as the same.

Each application that runs under Windows NT is given its own virtual address space of 4GB (2GB for the application, 2GB for the operating system).

The problem with Virtual Memory is that as it writes and reads to the hard disk, this is much slower than actual RAM. This is why if an NT system does not have enough memory it will run very slowly.


End of Article



Reader Comments
I am using the Windows XP Professional (Japanese) version Service Pack.

At the same time I am using Microsoft Office 97 Japanese version.

The PC usually comes out with an error of type "Low virtual memory".
It happens everyday.

My colleague have the Windows XP Professional (English) version
using Microsoft Office 97 (English) version without any problems.

Did any of you have faced similar problems and any solutions?

yangontha Maung March 13, 2003


I am experiencing the same thing on Windows XP and it is really frustrating. I can sypathize with you but I have no solutions. But sometimes it helps to know you are not on your own

Pauline Colpman August 11, 2003


We want to hear what you have to say! Fill out this form to post your comments with this article. We do, however, review comments before posting them, so it may take a day or so for your comments to appear. Your email is only used if our editors need to contact you. It is not used or stored for any other purpose, nor posted with your comments.

tina o neill October 22, 2003


Well I have XP HOME in english came with the lap top bought in Canada last year, since last month having problems. Also getting error and pop up message on the screen sayiunf that virtual memory is low, why it is doing don`t know but the machine is also very slow, though 256 RAM with 1.3 Ghz pentium speed, and 40 GB hard drive, CURRENTLY ONLY 19 gb HARD DRIVE SPACE IS USED AND HARD DRIVE HAS BEEN Defragmented. Any sudggestions how to go about.
thanks


ajay srivastava November 05, 2003


The PC usually comes out with an error of type "Low virtual memory". It happens everyday. i have the Windows XP Professional (English) version using Microsoft Office 2000 (English) version . Did any of you have faced similar problems and any solutions?...

Wasima Ezzo November 17, 2003


We have a 2.4 Ghz Pentium with XP Home. I am using Office 97 Professional and Outlook 2000. The only program that fills the page file every time I open it is Outlook 2000. I get the same "Low Virtual Memory" message. I have maxed out my Page File size and it still fills it every time.
The other Office 97 programs all work without problems. I am not running the Office Shortcut Bar. I have also removed Microsoft Office Programs from the Startup Menu.
I moved my Personal folder file to another computer and opened Outlook 2000 with the same .pst file and no problem. It appears that Outlook 2000 is running some kind of script that fills the page file every time I open it.
Any help with this issue would be greatly appreciated.

jim rodgers May 23, 2005 (Article Rating: )


Try scanning your machine for spyware, adware, malware. Sometimes that can make a difference.

Anonymous User June 10, 2005 (Article Rating: )


disable page memory. see what happens.

if no errors, great!!!

if not, go back to page memory, set the min and max to the same number (what amount depends on the amount of RAM you put in).

Anonymous User July 12, 2005 (Article Rating: )


HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP...THIS VIRTUAL MEMORY BUSINESS IS DRIVING ME CRAZZZZZZZZYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Anonymous User August 12, 2005 (Article Rating: )


You must be a registered user or online subscriber to comment on this article. Please log on before posting a comment. Are you a new visitor? Register now




Top Viewed ArticlesView all articles
Confirmed: Battery Life Issues Not Windows 7's Fault

Microsoft on Monday issued a lengthy statement about the recent Windows 7 battery controversy, echoing my assessment from earlier in the day, but backing it up with hard, cold evidence. ...

Microsoft Warns of Windows Version Expirations

Microsoft warned that this year will see three out-of-date Windows versions slip into retirement. ...

Battery Life Issues Almost Certainly Not Windows 7's Fault

While Microsoft is still investigating a notebook battery life issue that was supposedly caused by Windows 7, some interesting trends have emerged. ...


Windows OSs Whitepapers Protecting Microsoft SharePoint

Related Events Deep Dive into Windows Server 2008 R2 presented by John Savill

Check out our list of Free Email Newsletters!

Windows OSs eBooks Understanding and Leveraging Code Signing Technologies

A Guide to Windows Certification and Public Keys

SQL Server Administration for Oracle DBAs

Related Windows OSs Resources Introducing Left-Brain.com, the online IT bookstore
Looking for books, CDs, toolkits, eBooks? Prime your mind at Left-Brain.com

Discover Windows IT Pro eLearning Series!
Clear & detailed technical information and helpful how-to's, all in our trademark no-nonsense format


Windows IT Pro Home Register FAQ for Windows WinInfo News
Europe Edition About Us Contact Us/Customer Service Media Kit Affiliates / Licensing  
SQL Server Magazine Office & SharePoint Pro DevProConnections IT Job Hound
Left-Brain.com Technology Resource Directory asp.netPRO ITTV Windows SuperSite 
 
 Windows IT Pro is a Division of Penton Media Inc.
 © 2010 Penton Media, Inc. Terms of Use | Privacy Statement