Virtual Memory

[godsgurl40]

Hey does anybody know how to free up virtual memory? I am tryin to fix a teacher's computer because she has a program she tries to run on the d drive but it says that she needs 3MB of free virtual memory. And before you say it I already went in and upped the virtual memory but that still won't work. So, anyhelp I will be willing to try....thanx alot in advance (so please help me cause I already thanked ya...lol)

-Katie #40-

[mat1583]

Hey does anybody know how to free up virtual memory? I am tryin to fix a teacher's computer because she has a program she tries to run on the d drive but it says that she needs 3MB of free virtual memory. And before you say it I already went in and upped the virtual memory but that still won't work. So, anyhelp I will be willing to try....thanx alot in advance (so please help me cause I already thanked ya...lol)

-Katie #40-

Really the only way to "free up virtual memory" is to close up some programs that are running, maybe even the number of things running in the background. You see, virtual memory is not really a tangible object like the RAM in your computer. Virtual memory is memory that is created for a program and mapped (via page tables) to actual physical memory. More virtual memory is created than the actual amount of physical memory that exists because programs do not use all their allocated memory at once, only small partitions. Whenever a partition is needed, it is called, looked up in the page table, and mapped to a physical memory location.

I would suggest going through task manager to see if anything is using up a TON of memory. to do this, hit ctrl + alt + del. Go to task manager, then click on the processes tab. Sort by mem usage. If there's something that just seems to be using a ton of memory, it could be a virus, trojan program, etc. It doesn't mean it is though. Just let us know how it turns out.

-washboard

[middletree]

Everything washboard says is correct. However, I'd reboot first. It's easier.

[mat1583]

Everything washboard says is correct. However, I'd reboot first. It's easier.

Much easier :)

-washboard

[Sam!]

Can you tell us more about her computer? What Operating System is she using? What program is she trying to use?

[godsgurl40]

Her computer runs on XP. The program she is trying to run is "Essential Study Partner Hole's ESP" made by McGraw Hill. I downloaded the quicktime that it needed and went through set up and everything. After setup it doesn't go anywhere. I go to the folder for the cd and it doesn't have a program button...still just setup and quicktime. Then when I try to run the program (there's an icon in programs) it just pops up an error message telling me it needs 3mb more of free virtual memory to run. I even rebooted, cleared spyware, cookies, temp internet files, & history. I removed programs that she didn't need also.

Any more info you need on her computer let me know....thanx for the help so far...I'll try task manager tuesday. Can't believe I forgot to look there too.

THANX....-KATIE-

[Sam!]

Chances are that the problem isn't actually with the amount of virtual memory available.

First, try uninstalling the program. Next, disable any antivirus realtime scanner that is running (temporarily). Now try installing the software. Whether it succeeds or fails, go ahead and re-enable the antivirus at this point.

Is the program old? Does it support XP? Are there updates ("patches") available for it? You may want to right-click on the shortcut to run the program and open the properties. Try some of the settings on the Compatibility tab.

Hope this helps.

[godsgurl40]

I will sure try that. I may just have her try to run it from another computer on the network. Even tho she don't want to she may have to unless I can get it fixed. As far as I know the program supports hp....I mean it did load, so who knows. And as for updates.....hmmm.....u got a better guess than I do. hehe. But thanx I will try that out at school tomorrow

[mat1583]

If you EVER turn off your anti-virus software, please please please disconnect the network cable. You never want to be connected to the internet without virus protection. It's asking for trouble. I think the average time is about 45 seconds in which your computer can get some kind of virus if you have no protection installed.

-washboard

[Sam!]

If she is not downloading software or surfing the web, her antivirus is not protecting her--the firewall is. Those worm attacks for the 45 second figure are mostly network/security/firewall-type attacks, not av.

[mat1583]

If she is not downloading software or surfing the web, her antivirus is not protecting her--the firewall is. Those worm attacks for the 45 second figure are mostly network/security/firewall-type attacks, not av.

Aye, but there are those ambitious enough to hack a firewall, and if you have no virus protection, it's asking for trouble. It's still safe to unplug your network connection if you're planning on disabling anti-virus software.

-washboard

[Sam!]

Understood. Though with Windows default firewall and safe computing, I have gone weeks and months without a virus scanner at times (I forget to install it sometimes after reformatting) without being infected. Just sayin'...

[WeaselInYerFoot]

I've never had an antivirus on my machine. I go to trendmicro once in a while and have them scan it, but they never find anything but tracking cookies. I do use an old PC as my firewall.

I remember the only time I had a virus problem was with my dads computer years ago (a 486 dx2). One of my pirated games from school carried a virus called NATAS. Those were the days.. when viruses had a deep meaning and purpose. Now it's more of just crap and spyware that's an issue. In those days, virii were an art!

[Sam!]

ahh for the days of stoned, stoned.a, stoned.b, stoned.c ... .c was a nasty one...

now those were virii!

of cousre, back then norton actually was a good piece of software :cool: