Often when you launch a lot of programs, applications simultaneously, your PC uses more memory resources. Sometimes it can significantly influence system performance. By default, Windows XP automatically distributes resources between foreground and background programs and processors. In case you don't have enough physical memory for running of all applications, the Windows pagefile is used to extend the amount of computer memory available to applications and services so that they’re not limited by the amount of physical RAM installed on the computer.

If you are experiencing such a problem (check the physical memory usage in Task Manager), then you may try to solve it manually.

Changing the size of the virtual memory paging file manually:

1. Click [Start], [Run], type in sysdm.cpl in the Open box, press ENTER.

2. Go to the [Advanced] tab, and then under [Performance] click [Settings].

3. Navigate to [Advanced] tab, and under [Virtual memory] click [Change] button.

4. Under Drive [Volume Label], select the drive that contains the paging file that you want to change.

5. Under Paging file size for selected drive, click [Custom size], enter a new paging file size in megabytes (MB) in the Initial size (MB) or Maximum size (MB) box, and then click [Set] button. NOTE: The recommended pagefile size is 1.5 the physical RAM on PC!

6. Click OK to close the dialog box and apply changes.