Dear Craig,
The Windows works like this:
There is a base memory installed phisically in Your computer, it used to be 128/256/512/1GB/2GB/4GB and so on.
But, sometimes Windows needs more memory. Always more memory. And more memory. And so on, and on, and on ;)
Therefore, they've "invented" the "virtual memory", which is nothing else but a file on the Hard Disk, which can be used as an "external" memory. In this case Windows can have "any memory" up to the Hard Disk free capacity.
First it sounds good, but HD is much slower then the real memory, so it will dramatically reduce the performance.
So, first, You need to figure out, why Windows asks for more memory:
- If You use a large program, or large pictures/movies, than You must add some more phisical memory to Your configuration
- If not, than maybe Windows is incorrectly configured.
You can check it like this:
You can check "System properties" which can be found by right clicking on the "System icon" on the bottom of the list. Choose the "Advanced" tab, and in the "performance" section press "Settings".
There You need to check the "Advanced" tab again, and in the "Virtual Memory" section press "Change"
So, here is the "Virtual memory" section.
Check the "System managed size" option, and check if there is enough free space on the HD to handle the recommended size - I think, the problem is here:
- there will be the "No paging file" option checked,
- or the "Custom size" option allocates to small size.
In the first case, allow to use it, in the second case, increase the size - and that's all :)
If there will be any other case, You need to check the system by an IT, because even a virus can take this kind of problems.
I hope it can solve the problem :)
AT