Computers: What is virtual memory and what am I supposed to do about it?!!

[redclover79]

My horrible old pc keeps putting up a message box saying my virtual memory is too low. It seems to want me to do something about it, but what?! It's taking 5 mins from clicking on a thread title to actually getting onto the page and it keeps having these weird attacks when I scroll down the page. What should I do?! I'm tempted to shout at it and throw it out the window...
Help me!!!!!!

You've got too many applications open. Close everything down other than the application you are using.

and if that doesn't do the trick, as the virtual memory will still contain lots of stuff relating to closed apps that have been running, then restart the machine.

the stock IT answer

"have you turned if off and on again?"

pmsl

the annoying thing is they are usually right.

dlete some stuff..such as a game or sxtra images and do a spy adware check and defrag and take some shortuts off your desktop

lol zippi - am picturing OP being as confused trying to work out what you're saying as she is by the message on her pc!
(Have added your thread to my watch list btw to respond to once I've got dd in bed later, as switched to mac at Christmas)

lol I even corrected it!

Hi
2boys lol - it's doing this when I've only got one explorer page open, you wouldn't think it would be so taxing!!
Is there some way of emptying it's brain so it stops hassling me?!
Custardo - am following my stock response which is to shut down the one running app (while being told this program is not responding etc...), swear a couple of times switch off my modem flick it back on and put up an explorer page again...
zippi - was planning to defrag the hard-drive, believe it or not that is the one thing i remember how to do from my housemates at uni!!

Have you deleted all your temporary internet files and cookies?

Hi, this from Dh might help.

Go to My Computer and right click.
Choose Properties.
Click Advanced tab.
Go to Performance and click Settings.

This apparently brings up your performance options and lets you increase your virtual memory, usually about 1.5 to 2 times your RAM is good.

Hope that helps but if you have any questions I won't be able to answer them unless dh is here. (Sounds pathetic I know but I'm more the 'creative/artistic' type ).

Thanks pixel, I've increased to 768mb so will see what happens! That's probably pathetically small butin my defence my pc is getting on for 10 years old and has bits from 3 different ones in the hope that it will limp along until such time as we have the funds to buy a shiny new one!
themoon66, i'm scared of deleting all my cookies and stuff, did that once and all hell broke loose! Might try that too though, in for a penny etc!!