How to change virtual memory settings.

How to change virtual memory settings.

Document number: 69016

The memory your computer uses in running your applications is a combination of the amount of RAM available on your machine, and the size of your paging file (pagefile.sys ), or virtual memory. If you do not have enough RAM on your machine, or if the virtual memory is working inefficiently you can experience performance problems. You may also get a variety of error messages. Adjust your virtual memory if your machine performance is slow or if you get the following errors:

(Out of Virtual Memory) Your system is running low on virtual memory. Please close some applications. You can then start the System option in the Control Panel and choose the Virtual Memory button to create an additional paging file or to increase the size of your current paging file.
(Not Enough Quota) Not enough virtual memory or paging file quota is available to complete the specified operation
(command): not enough memory
WINS encountered a memory error. Check to see if the system is running out of virtual memory.

To learn how much RAM is available on your machine see Eureka! document 39020 — How to find processor and memory information for your computer.

To increase the size of your pagefile.sys and change your virtual memory settings on your Windows 2000 machine do the following:

Click on Start menu to open it.
Select . Settings, then Control Panel
In Control Panel, double click on the System icon.
Click on the General tab and write down the amount of RAM that you have. You will find that information near the bottom of that window under "Computer".
Select the Advanced tab, then click the Performance options ... button. With each of the next steps write down the current settings so you can go back to them if you need to.
Make sure the Applications radio button is selected to enhance performance of applications.
In the " Virtual Memory" area, click on Change.
The I nitial Size should be 11MB more than your RAM. So if your RAM is 32MB try setting the initial size at 43MB.
The Ma ximum size should be 32MB more than your RAM. So if your RAM is 32MB try setting the maximum size at 64MB.
Under Registry size make the " Maximum registry size (MB):" the same as the "Current registry size:"
Click on Set, then OK to close the Virtual Memory window, then OK to close the Performance Options window.
Close the System Properties window by clicking on OK.

When you have changed the virtual memory settings your machine performance should improve. If it does not improve check that you have adequate room on your hard drive. To increase the space available on your hard drive see document 39008 — How to free up some hard disk space.. Also make sure to defragment your disk to ensure that the swap file is stored efficiently. For information on defragmenting your hard drive see document 10031 — How to defragment your drive. If neither of these steps resolve your problem review document 69017 — How to improve machine performance (speed) - Memory upgrade guidelines to see if additional RAM is appropriate for your machine.