Low Virtual Memory Error?

[Fleaflicker]

I've just started getting this error. I try to save what I'm working on and I get a 'disk is full' error! My harddrive is a 40gig 7200rpm WD that is only 20% full. My system is a PIV 2.4 on a MSI 865 board with 256mb of RAM. I set my virtual memory to 512 on a recommendation I read somewhere. I've searched the forum and found a couple threads regarding this issue, but I haven't seen an answer to the problem. Has anyone figured this out? Local computer stores have told me that adding more RAM wouldn't do anything. Anybody? Beuller?

Thanks,
Bill

PS-Give a listen to a song I did with Sonar on my website-- www.fleaflickerband.com --let me know what you think--it hasn't been mastered because I can't afford the software!

[moskus]

Originally posted by Fleaflicker
Local computer stores have told me that adding more RAM wouldn't do anything.

I would say the oposite. Adding more RAM would help Sonar alot. Why have only 256 MB RAM with a P4 2.4 GHz?

I consider 512 MB as a minimum.



I'm not sure why, but most computer stores really don't know anything abour recording and what it needs...

[kgirl72]

Okay, I'm no expert by any means, but adding more ram should definitely help you, but you should always listen to everyone else before me.

And, Bueller's sick today...I heard he might be dying! The news is everywhere!

Actually, I've read something about this in the last couple of days, but I can't remember where, I'll try and find out for you.
Have you done all the other tweaks recommended? One thing that can help is to make sure no other programs are running in the background if you can do that easily.

Maybe some people will say something about your disk size, but I don't know. I'm using a laptop with lower specs than you, but with 512 ram (I have a desktop too though) and I've NEVER had this error. It's also just a 40 gig drive, and only 5400rpm. So, I can see no reason whatsoever why you shouldn't be able to use Sonar better than I can on that laptop.

I tried to hit your website, but it didn't want to load...I'll try again in a bit! Good luck with your problem.
-Kirstin

[kgirl72]

Moskus, you BEAT ME.

Oh well.

[BloodShark]

I don't think that 'disk full' has anything to do with RAM. I have 256 too and I've never had this problem with Sonar. This is more likely a HD problem, but you've said you have free space.

Which OS are you using? Some folders can be space limited, so when they reach certain space you won't be able to add other files. Also you could check if the audio and wrk files you're using are set as read-only (this would give you this error message)


BS

[Bulls Hit]

I've had this message in GT Pro. After doing a Compress Audio Data and a Clean Audio Disk, it went away.

I'm assuming these options are also available in Sonar

[BloodHound]

Your problem has nothing to do with your disk size if it says "virtual" memory. You obviously have anough space according to your description. More RAM will always help. Do you have large soundbanks loaded in the project? Soundbanks often take up much more memory than disk space. So, if you have 256MB RAM and try to load a large soundbank you will surely get a memory problem. Some tweaks recommend a limited virtual memory size (like 2x your RAM), but I would suggest try to increase the virtual memory and make sure that the minimum VM and maximum VM is the same. This will make sure that Windows does not run around in the background trying to find extra space while you are happily recording your audio.

If this happens while recording audio it might be a problem with buffers. What speed is your disk? If it is less than 7200 you might run into buffer overflows while recording, especially while recording 2 or more tracks simultaniously.

It might also help to get a memory manager program e.g. TweakXP. Windows often just keep on loading dll's into memory and never unload them after you close it down. A memory manager will ensure that windows make that space available again.

[Fleaflicker]

Thanks for your responses, I do appreciate it. To answer a few questions, I'm using windows XP and I have done most of the tweaks from musicxp.net. I'll add another 256 or 512 and see what that does for me. I knew that more RAM would help but didn't want to spend the cash if I didn't have to! Also, I defrag, 'clean audio disc' and compress often. Thanks kgirl for trying to checkout the site and how dare you talk about my disk size! Just kidding.

Thanks,
Bill

[Porter]

Fleaflicker,

What do you have your swap files size set to? Are you letting the computer manage it or have you set a hard limit?

Porter

[Fleaflicker]

Is that the same as virtual memory setting? If so, I've got it set to 640 for both which is 2.5 times my RAM size.

Bill

[Porter]

Change that to ley my computer manage my Virtual memory and give it a go then... worth a try.

Porter

[moskus]

Originally posted by kgirl72
Moskus, you BEAT ME.

Oh well.

Shhh! Don't say that out loud. My wife would kill me!


I don't trust Windows for handling my virtual memory. It always screwes it up when I don't want it to! I had huge problems with the DFH (yes, it's a large sample-pack!) and they all went away when I set it to 768 MB.

[Porter]

Originally posted by moskus
I don't trust Windows for handling my virtual memory. It always screwes it up when I don't want it to! I had huge problems with the DFH (yes, it's a large sample-pack!) and they all went away when I set it to 768 MB.

Well, if you have the HDD space... set it to a GB or so. I've got mind set to Initial size = 768 and Maximum size =1536... and that is running 912MB RAM.

Porter