Apple 145 manual Using hard disk space as memory

Using hard disk space as memory

Your computer can use space on a hard disk to increase the memory available for opening programs. The disk space, called virtual memory, is not available for storing files.

Your computer should contain enough built-in memory for your regular needs—that is, for the programs you frequently have open simultaneously. You can use virtual memory when you want to open additional programs or work with extremely large documents.

Virtual memory is most effective when you are using several small programs simultaneously. It slows the computer’s performance if you’re using one very large program.

You adjust the use of virtual memory in the Memory control panel.

1.Choose Control Panels from the Apple (K) menu and open the Memory control panel.

2.Click the On button to turn on virtual memory.

3.Press the pop-up menu and drag to choose a hard disk to use for virtual memory.

4.Click the up and down arrows to set the amount of disk space to be used as virtual memory.

Pop-up menu of hard disks in use

Space available on the disk

Macintosh HD

Total memory (includes virtual memory)

The preset amount is equal to the amount of RAM installed in your computer. Choosing a larger amount of virtual memory is likely to slow the computer’s performance, so it is recommended that you accept the preset size.

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Chapter 10: Adapting Your Computer to Your Own Use 157