Virtual memory error after removing ram.

[Jason]

I had problems with my computer and took it to a friend. He removed one stick of memory from my computer. The problem went away...It was definately the memory because when he put it back the errors occured again...
Anyway now I have an error saying not enough virtual memory. Does this mean someone has changed the virtual memory settings or does it mean I need to put another stick of ram in.

The computer had 2x 512mb ram and now it has 1x 512mb ram.. I have ordered a new one but it is not here yet. This is on my XP computer. Can I change something until I get more ram...And will this error go away when I put more ram back in???

[Merlin33069]

OK, to explain this im going to need to explain what ram does.

Ram stores files that are currently in use by the computer, because it is a lot faster than transfering all the files directly from the hard drive

However, the computer doesn't always have enough ram to store all the files, so when the ram space gets below a certain amount, the computer puts the less used files into a cache, or temporary storage part of the hard drive, the computer can use this part of the hard drive as "virtual ram" or virtual memory.

So when you had the stick of ram removed, the computer needed to move more files to the virtual ram, but your computer did not have enough

so here i have a question, did this only come up once? if it comes up multiple times, does it say "windows is increasing the amount" or something like that?

You can change the virtual memory settings by the following method

1. Right click on my computer
2. click properties
3. Click the advanced tab (xp only, vista users need to click advanced system settings)
4. find a section called performance, it should be the first section, click settings...
5. in the new windows click the advanced tab.
6. in the section marked "Virtual Memory" there is a button that says "change..." click it

there are a few "radio buttons" which are circular buttons, click the one that says "custom size"

note the current size and increase it to whatever you think you need (Note 2 things, i think that 512 is default, not sure, you can change it to anything BUT remember that this takes space in your hard drive, keep that in mind, ALSO NOTE that by setting the minimum and maximum to the same number will save CPU time paging the file up and down (speeds up the PC for other things)) so it is always best practice)

NOTE THAT THE ABOVE WILL WORK

however, i recommend you have your tech savvy friend acquire a new stick of ram for you as your machine seems to need it, and this will help your computer to continue to run smoothly!

[247time]

I thinks virtual memory use Hard disk space, there is no relation between Ram memory with Virtual memory. So this error not happen by a RAM.

[Mitz]

If Jason has taken ram out of the computer, gets the virtual memory error, then puts the ram back, the message goes away...then the ram must have something to do with it... It is a chain reaction and Merlins post has the answers to fix this.