Most of the games I have bought recently have such long loading times between location changes or in Art of Murder 3 even while looking at inventory items, and the sound is stuttering whilst I am waiting to move on.. I know it is a problem with my computer, but what? I Keep getting a message telling me my "virtual memory is low and is being increased". Is that it? or Is it a driver thing? I am not very knowledgeable able the technical side of computers, so feel free to patronize me!

Ha, I'm having the exact same problem, cris. I was thinking it might have something to do with my having recently switched to using an external disc drive - as my main one is just about on its last legs and refuses to register most game discs now.

I'd be interested to learn if there's a quick fix for this problem.

If the game disk wants to tweak your DirectX,let it.
If you havent updated video drivers in over a year,try that also.

I think it's the game itself, because I suffer from it too

Your virtual memory paging file should be roughly 1.5 times your RAM. Adjust Paging File Size

Sorry Draclvr, Still not patronizing enough. I have 4 options...Let Windows choose, best for appearance, best for performance and custom. I don't know how many RAM I have, so couldn't calculate even if I knew what to do with the information. I have recently had a new drive fitted because I was running on empty because of all the downloaded full size games I have kept, but it was running slowly before that.

Alrighty, which version of Windows are you using? XP, Vista? The easiest way to find out how much ram you have, is to find your 'My Computer' icon, which is probably on the desktop. Right-click it, and select properties. The window that pops up should tell you how much ram you have.

Windows XP home. 512mb ram. Getting there! Next?

You need more RAM; 512mb of RAM just isn't going to cut it for many if not most games now. Even some casual games are going to be slow.

I'm running Windows XP and I have 2 gigs of RAM, and I wouldn't want anything less than that. You might be able to add more RAM to your existing system, but I will let the techies here expand on how you look into that possibility.

I agree with Marian - at least 2 GB of RAM if possible. But in the meantime, will the instructions in the link in the post above work for you?

What have I just expanded having a new drive fitted? That isn't RAM then? Virtual memory is 768MB.

All you increased was the amount of storage on your new hard drive. RAM is your Random Access Memory and is completely separate from your hard drive storage. That virtual memory is actually what it is supposed to be. Someone who knows more than I do will have to explain, but I suspect your problems are with not having enough RAM.

Cris,
When Windows doesn't have enough real RAM (for a game or other program), it uses "virtual memory" on the hard drive. Virtual memory is a lot slower than real RAM.

512 MB is very low for most current games -- even if you're using XP. The best thing you could do to speed up your games is buy more RAM for your computer.

Crucial has a calculator for RAM which will tell you which type of RAM is compatible with your computer.
http://www.crucial.com/index.aspx

They have both a scanner and a "memory advisor" that you can use to find out what type of RAM is compatible, but for the memory advisor you need to know something about your computer.

Here's a Youtube video showing how to install RAM.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=CA&hl=en&v=u2oXQuIlh1w

I (and not being a techie or a practical man at all) did buy more RAM for my computer. I now have 2GB (2 a 1GB RAM sticks). And I did put into the computer myself. It looks very hard to do; it is not. The importing thing to do (if you're weary about it) is to use a good screwdriver as well as maybe wearing thin rubber gloves - to prevent static electriticity. You can also do so by touching a radiator, I think?

If you can, try to get 1GB RAM sticks, or 2GB Ram sticks.

Chris, do you now how much power your processor has? in terms of Ghz, I mean...

2.01Ghz. Does that seem right?

Yes, it does. Try the Crucial calculator and see what it says...

I don't feel brave enough to have a go myself, so I'll just put up with it for now. Thanks for your input chaps (& chapess). At least I know why now.