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Confused about RAM and Virtual Memory

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by mcarmcpnzn

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I am getting confused where a program is stored. I have a 128 MB RAM and a 2.0 GB harddisk. I do understand that usually it is the harddisk that stores most memory when saved. Whenever I check it is my RAM that gets smaller (says 77% utilized) and harddisk hardly touched (1.7 GB free).Where does the virtual memory comes in?

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by jim7fl

RAM is random access memory that goes away whenever the computer is turned off or rebooted. Anything "stored" there is lost when the computer is off.

The operating system, and other programs and data use RAM to run in. If RAM is running low, most operating systems use "virtual memory" that is, hard disk space to store "pages" of RAM in order to keep from running out of RAM and locking up the computer.

The hard disk storage is semi-permanent. In other words, if something is "saved" to the hard disk, the next time you start up the computer it will still be there.

As far as resource allocation goes, if you check RAM when you first start the computer with very few programs loaded, you will see a lower number with RAM utilization. As you start additional programs, you will see RAM use increase. Unless you are installing new programs and/or downloading large files from the internet, you will not see much fluctuation in hard disk usage.

Hope this helps.

Jim

by mcarmcpnzn

Thanks! I'm begining to understand it now more clearly. It only confirmed that I have to increase my present memory 128MB.

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