Virtual Memory. What is it?

[sprockchick]

I installed Sims2 Bon Voyage last night on my computer, and halfway through my game a box popped up saying Windows Virtual Memory is running out. What does it mean?
Can you please help me?
Thanks in advance
Lex

[kjn2]

Computers have what is called memory in them and they only have so much of this, each time you install something it takes up some of this memory, Sims 2 Bon Voyage is probably a large programme and has taken up most if not nearly all of the memory left on your computer. All is not lost though you can usually add memory to a computer, also not too costly these days.Ask someone who knows what they are doing to have a look to see if you can add more memory to your computer. Trust this helps have tried to keep it simple seems the best way when explaining about computers.

[redmug100]

Virtual memory is space on your hard disk that windows uses as if it were ram. If your hard disk is nearly full then the amount of virtual memory is reduced. Virtual memory is usually used to store data that is not used all the time - it is MUCH slower than real memory.

[vehelpfulguy]

I am not sure kjn2 understands what virtual memory is (or he is keeping his answer very simple), but the answer from redmug100 is correct.

A computer has real memory (or RAM). This is what is meant when it say 256Mb or 512Mb or 1Gb.

To run any program on a computer it has to be loaded into RAM.

When you start up your computer then programs are loaded in to this RAM (Windows is loaded in there for example).

Each program you start it is loaded into RAM (a word processor, each game, a web browser and so on).

But you only have so much RAM, so if it get filled up there is no room for any other programs (or parts of programs).

So what Windows does is create an area on your hard disk which is called Virtual Memory.

When your REAL memory gets filled up then Windows copies programs that are in Real memory into your VIRTUAL memory (on hard disk).

When Windows needs the program again it copies it from VIRTUAL memory back into REAL memory.

So Windows can be constantly copying programs from real memory to virtual memory and back again. This can slow your PC down.

Getting virtual memory errors probably means you do not have enough RAM (or real memory). Look to add more memory to your PC.

So if you have 256Mb then take it up to 512Mb or more. If you already have 512Mb take it up to 1Gb.

As redmug100 says, it could also mean there is not enough space on your hard disk for Windows to create the virtual memory.

Have a look at how much space you have on your hard disk and if it is low see if you can delete some file to create more space.

But I would say that you probably need more RAM (real memory) as this will cut down the need for so much virtual memory.

[sprockchick]

Thanks, those answers are really helpful, i'll ask my dad to help out.