There are a number of settings that cane be done in the virtual memory section that will affect how Windows XP performs. Virtual memory is an area on the disk that Windows uses as it if were RAM. Windows requires this type of system in the event that it runs out of physical RAM. The virtual memory space is used as a swap space where information residing in RAM is written to the virtual memory space (also called the page file or swap file) in order to free RAM up for other processes.
When the system needs the information in the swap file, Windows puts it back into RAM and writes something else out to the disk in its place.
Step to fix low virtual memory
For Windows 95, 98 & ME
Right-click My Computer and select Properties from the resulting menu.
See figure:1
Next, click the Performance tab and click the Virtual Memory button.
By default, Windows manages your virtual memory. Select "Let me specify my own virtual memory settings".
From the "Hard Disk" drop box, select the drive you want to use.
For Windows XP home and Pro
Right-click My Computer and select Properties (or hold down the Alt key and double-click "My Computer")
See figure: 1
Click the Advanced tab then under Performance , click "Settings".
See figure: 2
Figure 1
Figure 2
There will be another Advanced tab to select in the "Performance Options" window. Down where it says "Virtual Memory" click Change .
See figure: 3
Figure 3
Finally, we get to the screen we're looking for.
See figue: 4
Figure 4
You will see a window with available drives where you can select the drive you want (if you have more than one). Notice that it also shows how much space you have available on that drive.
We want to specify a Custom size to 2.5 time your physical memory install. After you've made your selection, click Set and OK
Now it is a good idea to defrag your disk to finish performance setting.
