Can't set page file settings!

[dairyman]

Hi All,

Running Windows XP Home SP2, and just received the following message:

"Windows - Virtual Memory Minimum Too Low"

So I googled it and a document said:

I found that it's best to have windows set to manage virtual memory.
( "system managed size").

Start/Control Panel/Performance and Maintenance/System/Advanced tab/Performance, Settings button/Advanced tab/Virtual Memory, Change button/bullet System Managed Size.

So I did just that. But if I click OK, it changes back to it's default settings. 
How do I stop it from changing back to 'Custom Size' ??

Thank you.

[patio]

Are you logged on as Admin ? ?

[dairyman]

Yes, I'm the administrator. Also the only user of the computer.

[Broni]

That message...Isn't it rather "Your system is low on virtual memory"?
Is it a recent problem? Have you installed any program lately?

[JPH]

The change requires a reboot to take effect, if you weren't prompted to reboot then you exited out of the dialog by clicking cancel instead of OK.

[dairyman]

The change requires a reboot to take effect, if you weren't prompted to reboot then you exited out of the dialog by clicking cancel instead of OK.

I clicked OK, but it doesn't apply new settings.

[dairyman]

Is it a recent problem? Have you installed any program lately?

No, no programs installed recently.
I have being getting this message for a long time.

That message...Isn't it rather "Your system is low on virtual memory"?

Yes.

[Broni]

How much RAM do you have? Your virtual memory is controlled by Windows right now, correct? How much free space do you have on your HD? Does that error happens when you are using larger number of programs at once, or it's random? Have you noticed any particular program running when your error happens?

[dairyman]

Well, Windows reports I have 224MB of RAM, but I actually have 256MB.
I have 19.2GB free space on my HD. I only have one hard drive.

Also, I noticed that VB Express 2008 hogs my memory when I run it.
That is followed by my computer crashing.

Windows is using a Custom Size page file, I just want Windows to manage my page file, so I can stop getting these messages.

But the OK button just changes it back.
Right now, I am running Firefox, VB Express, MS Excel and MS Powerpoint.

[Broni]

I actually have 256MB

This is pretty low, and it may be a problem.
I don't know about VB, but you said, that it may be one of your crashes reasons.
Firefox, and two other Office programs are also resources hungry.
Another thing is, the longer you run them together, some memory leaks add one to another, and at some point your Windows cry for more.
You have your VM set to what number? Do you have min, and max set to same number?
Most computer savvy people use set number, not allowing Windows to manage it.

[elxr06]

I actually have 256MB

This is pretty low, and it may be a problem.
I don't know about VB, but you said, that it may be one of your crashes reasons.
Firefox, and two other Office programs are also resources hungry.
Another thing is, the longer you run them together, some memory leaks add one to another, and at some point your Windows cry for more.
You have your VM set to what number? Do you have min, and max set to same number?
Most computer savvy people use set number, not allowing Windows to manage it.

I hear you should set VM to a number that is equal to twice the amount of ram stick memory you got. i.e. 512.

that's what i hear from people. don't know how and why but that's how it is....

[Broni]

That's correct.
I would definitely buy more RAM.
I'm ready to go to bed, but before I go, I'll set you up with one more check.
I'd like you to check how much of your RAM, AND Virtual Memory is consumed by those four programs.
You can check it through Task Manager, but to see Virtual Memory used, you need to do couple more mouse clicks.
Have those 4 programs running (remember, you still have some other startups running in a background), read here: http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_can_i_fix_too_little_virtual_memory_in_windows.html
and check things in Task Manager.
Check in back tomorrow.

[dairyman]

I'd like you to check how much of your RAM, AND Virtual Memory is consumed by those four programs.

Yep, Visual Basic is using 111MB of Virtual Memory.
Powerpoint = 61MB
Firefox = 57MB
Excel = 41MB

Those are the programs using the most memory.
The rest are either system services or parts of other applications.

[patio]

Do you need to have those programs in your startup ? ?
Seems like a waste of resources...
And jph is correct. The changes take place whenyou re-boot.

[Broni]

Do you need to have those programs in your startup ? ?

Hey patio...I don't think, he has them as startups. His error occurs, when he is working with those 4 programs open.
To me he just simple needs to buy some more RAM. 256MB seems to be low for XP + 4 memory eaters like his.

[patio]

Gotcha...

[dairyman]

Do you need to have those programs in your startup ? ?
Seems like a waste of resources...

They don't run at startup, but I frequently use those programs.

And jph is correct. The changes take place whenyou re-boot.

I know, it should take effect after a reboot, but it doesn't change at all, even when I click OK, it changes back to the 'Custom Size' setting.

[dairyman]

I'm confused. I went to Crucial.com and they said DDR memory. I searched that, and when the page I clicked on loaded, it had ddr, ddr memory, ddr ram, ddr sdram, ddr pc2100, pc2100 ddr sdram, ddr sdram memory, pc3200, ddr sdram price, 200 pin, ddr pc2700 ...

My computer has DDR PC2700 according to crucial. I'll see if I can find the right memory stick. Yes, I know, Crucial has them, but the shipping costs. I'm a bit slack on $$$ 

I'll get the memory sticks somewhere else.

[Broni]

I don't know, where you live, but if you have Fry's somewhere around, that's the best place to go.

[dairyman]

I haven't put a memory stick in, but amazingly, it works.
No more crazy messages and no more crashing.

[Broni]

So, what happened, what did you do?

[dairyman]

Well, I noticed that AVG Free Edition was doing a virus scan in the background, so I disabled it. That was taking a lot of resources.

Then I rebooted the computer and all was fine.

[Broni]

Cool

[patio]

In the main Panel of AVG right clik on Scheduler and select Properties...
Here you can edit the time it runs.
Mine updates at 3AM and runs at4.