Filed under: Registry Cleaners
How do I increase my virtual memory on my Windows XP pro PC ? I ran registry cleaners and have max RAM?
February 8, 2010
4 thoughts on “How do I increase my virtual memory on my Windows XP pro PC ? I ran registry cleaners and have max RAM?”
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Clean Registry and Optimize PC
I had maxed out my 512m RAM and just installed 1G. I am really computer-illiterate, and it was the easiest thing I’ve ever done! I would recommend that you key in <crucialscan> and follow the instructions. They will scan your system for you and then tell you what and how much your system can take. I hope this helps. I’m not sure, but can’t RAM cards be replaced, besides being added to? Also, I know that you can purchase external hard drives that connect thru USB. I also run IObit’s SmartRam (free), and AdvancedSystemCare (free) and am very pleased with how they both perform.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2282429_increase-virtual-memory-windows-xp.html
follow the instructions on this web page. you should end up with 1 1/2 times the amount of your total ram
Without being able to add more memory you are beating your head against cement. 256 Mb is barely enough to run basic things in XP.
You really need to upgrade your computer.
A maximum of 256 MB and no more slots ?
Your computer must be REALLY old !
You need to upgrade RAM something fierce or get a NEW computer !
Now for Virtual Memory:
One way to make sure of optimal performance of the swap file (Virtual Memory) is this:
1) Use Windows built-in "Disk Cleanup"
2) Use Windows built-in "Disk Defragmenter"
3) Shut down (reboot) the computer
4) Follow the method outlined below
Virtual memory, also called page file or swap file, is a file on your hard drive (C:\pagefile.sys by default) that Windows and applications use in addition to physical memory (RAM) as needed.
The rule of thumbs for the size of this file is 1.5 times the amount of physical memory, it is also recommended to make the minimum and maximum size the same to avoid serious fragmentation.
Here are a few examples:
512 MB RAM = 768 MB Page File – 1 GB (1024 MB) RAM = 1.5 GB (1536 MB) Page File – 2 GB (2048 MB) RAM = 3 GB (3072 MB) Page File – 3 GB (3072 MB) RAM = 4.5 GB (4608 MB) Page File and so on.
Getting your paging file into shape is a simple operation, if you’re confident delving into submenus and manually making adjustments.
In Windows XP, open your My Computer Properties, then under the Advanced tab click on Performance Settings, hit the Advanced tab in the new window, and click on Virtual Memory Change. The paging file should be set to at least 1.5 times the amount of RAM onboard. Many experts caution against any smaller than that. Set both the Initial Size and Maximum Size to the same level. By doing this, you prevent the paging file from growing incrementally and adding to disk fragmentation.
Vista users face a similar procedure. From the Start menu, hit the Computer button on the right, and then right-click on your C drive and choose System. From there, click on Advanced System Settings and under the Advanced tab, choose Performance Settings. Choose the Advanced tab in the window that opens and Change Virtual Memory. Vista users should follow the same guidelines as those with XP machines: keep the Initial Size and Maximum Size the same, but no less than one and a half times the amount of RAM you’ve got.
( Don’t worry about making all those operations, as long as you take your time (go slowly) and follow the steps one by one in order, everything will be fine (I know because I’ve done that many times and I wasn’t an expert the first time) )
NOTES:
This operation needs to be done only once and will only need to be repeated if you change the amount of RAM.
If you have more than one drive, the paging file should always be on the "FASTEST" drive not just the biggest one.