There are several things that can cause this to occur such as spyware running in the background, too many applications running at once, not enough system RAM (I recommend at least 512 MB), hard drive nearly full as well as a few other things that I probably overlooked.

 

You can check the spyware problem by downloading, updating and running these two free anti spyware utilities listed below that are both popular here on the forums. I run a scan with each several times per month.  Sometimes one finds something the other one doesn't.

 

Lavasoft Ad-Aware Personal

 

Spybot - Search & Destroy

 

What type of antivirus protection are you using?  Norton AV, in particular, is known to be a resource hog.  Some free and great AV programs are listed below.  I personally use Avast. You should only have one resident AV program running at a time to avoid conflicts.

 

Avast! Home Edition

 

AVG Antivirus

 

From the Start>Run command type msconfig to see what applications and services are being loaded at startup (startup tab) and uncheck the ones you do not need. Check the "Hide all Microsoft services" first.  You can do a Google search for the names of the remaining ones to see what they are for and to determine if you need them or not. You'll get a warning message that your system was changed the next time you boot up but just check the "do not show me this again" box.

 

 

If you still get the low virtual memory message after all that try an advanced search at the bottom of this window for low virtual memory.  There are over 1,200 messages dealing with this problem.

I have already cleaned the system of spyware/malware thanks to other friends on this board. So I'm set there! :smileyhappy:

And I don't use Norton AV anymore.........too much of a memory pig!!

 

I have already altered the virtual memory settings.

 

I guess that leaves me with disabling unnecessary start up programs and services OR upgrading from 256MB to 512MB+ RAM.

 

Can anyone point me to a page to help identify the unnecessary services.......there's over 70 services on my msconfig to choose from? :smileyvery-happy:

 

D

 

 

there's over 70 services on my msconfig to choose from?

 

In the startup tab??? There shouldn't be.