Mary Ann asks about a virtual memory message
I had the SmileyCentral on my computer for a very long time, several years. I deleted it out of my programs a few weeks ago. When I read your blog here, I went in and ran Housecall today. It brought up several things, not as many as I thought it would though. It took all day to do this, but if it helps my computer run better it will be well worth it. I do have another message that keeps coming up every once in a while: It gives me a triangle with a yellow !, and it tells me, windows - virtual memory minimum is low. Windows is increasing the size of your virtual memory. Can you tell me why I am needing windows to do this? Is there anything I can do to keep it from happening again ?

I want to thank you and EB for all the help you both give to everyone here on the hill. I have learned so much in just the short time I have been a member ! ! You both are awesome! Thank you, Mary Ann

Our answer
Thanks, Mary Ann. Virtual Memory is memory Windows creates from unused hard drive space. When this occurs it means your computer is out of physical memory (RAM). What it boils down to, in simple terms, is that you:

1. Don't have enough RAM installed
2. You have too many programs running at Windows startup
3. Or both of the above

If you have Windows XP you need at least 512MB of RAM (preferably 768MB).  If you have Windows Vista you need 1GB of RAM minimum - 2GB is highly recommended.

If your computer meets our minimum recommendations for RAM, and you're still seeing the virtual memory message, then you have too many programs running in the background. You must learn to take control and limit the number of programs you have starting up with Windows or your system resources will continue to be drained by start up programs. If you have too many programs running at Windows start and not enough RAM, you'll be caught in a virtual memory loop, always running out of physical memory and causing Windows to created the needed additional memory from hard drive space. This is not a good situation. Virtual memory is not nearly as fast as RAM (physical memory) which means your computer will run more slowly; performance will suffer.

You don't need graphics programs, chat programs, browsers, email programs, printer programs, scanner programs, camera programs, etc. starting up with Windows. You shouldn't have more than four or five programs starting with Windows besides the necessary Microsoft processes and programs that are necessary for your security - such as your anti-virus program and one anti-spyware program. The only programs you should have starting with Windows besides required Microsoft programs are your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs. Anything else can be started from the start menu as needed after Windows boots. (And yes we do recommend that you have two or more anti-spyware programs installed, but ONLY one should be starting up with Windows. The other should be run as-needed to double check your computer for infections once or twice a week.)

You can use MSCONFIG (Click Start / Run / type in MSCONFIG, then click the Startup tab) to control startup programs. Or, better yet, use WinPatrol (Free version or PLUS version) to control the number of startups. WinPatrol PLUS gives you much more detailed information about each program running at startup and can help you determine what each program does and whether you need it to run at startup or if you can disable it from starting with Windows.

If your computer doesn't meet our minimum recommendations for RAM, you should install more RAM. RAM is inexpensive and easy to install. You don't need to pay BestBuy $40.00 to install RAM. You can do it yourself. If you order it from Crucial.com,  use their online tools to find exactly the right RAM for your computer. They ship the RAM to you with very easy-to-follow instructions so it's a snap to install more RAM -it normally takes less than 10 minutes. Adding more RAM to your computer is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to make your computer run better and faster.

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