Virtual Memory Error Message on Shutdown

O.K. - this is freaky. I am having the EXACT same problem as you describe. This problem has also only shown up for me in the last few days. I bought my system (Dimension 8200 with WinXP Home Edition) last October. For the record this is the error message:

"Your system is low on virtual memory. Windows is increasing the size of your virtual memory paging file. During this process, memory requests for some applications may be denied."


I never get this message while working on the computer - only at shutdown.

I have gone in and manually set the virtual memory settings and still get the message - also get it when letting Windows manage the virtual memory. Did the old trick of setting the virtual memory max/min to zero and defragging the hardrive as well as setting the memory to 'no paging file' and defragging. Still get the error.

I have 256MB of memory in my system and never run that big of applications - so my virtual memory should never even be touched. NOTHING has been added (hardware or software) to the hardware and no settings were messed with. Error just popped up a few days ago.

Anyone??

Hi there. No kidding this is "freaky". I too have a Dell Dimension 8200 running Windows XP. Thanks for the exact wording of the error message; I hadn't managed to note the exact wording. That's certainly the message I was getting. It's comforting to see I'm not the only one that's experiencing that! Sounds like you've tried the logical steps already. I've not dabbled with virtual memory before, so am wary of trying anything like that. It seems that doing that wouldn't have much affect anyway. Since I posted my last message I tried shutting down and then booting up again. Also tried "re-starting". Strangely, the message didn't show. (Just when I go to 'test' for the error, it doesn't happen!) I'm not yet convinced the problem has gone away. If you find a cure, please let me know.

Has the problem come back for you?

Mine did this same thing - message would show up every once in awhile, but in the past few days shows up everytime I shut the computer down. System doesn't seem to be affected, but it is annoying and wasn't like this until a few days ago - so I want it fixed.

Hi there! Since my last message (fingers crossed), it hasn't reappeared. I'm hoping I can find out a cause for this...and from that (hopefully) a cure. Have you heard anything from anyone on this?

Yes, I checked out the Forums on Microsoft's site and see others with Dell Systems like ours that are having the same problem.

One solution (which stopped the errors on mine) was to change the min/max virtual memory setting to 512MB and 1024MB.

Several others said to go to Intel's website and download their Application Accelerator:

www.intel.com/support/chipsets/iaa/

Looks like their might be some compatibility issues with that program, so I downloaded it, but am going to investigate it a bit further before I install the Accelerator.

I e-mailed Dell yesterday - but so far have heard nothing.

Hi there Aztarac! Hmm....thanks for your input on this. Since I first made a post on this issue, this error message has mysteriously disappeared. I'm still a little concerned about what caused it in the first place. I've never 'dabbled' with the virtual memory setting, so (at the moment anyway) I don't know where to find it (in my Windows XP Home). That's an interesting 'trick' though....nice to know it worked for you. And also...comforting to know there are other Dell users experiencing similar problems. Let me know how you get on with the compatability issues with that Accelerator program, eh? I'd be interested to hear what Dell have to say about this! :-)