Thanks folks for all your input.  Bottom line from you folks-512MBytes of RAM will work.  However even with increasing virtual memory-which I did, now doubled, both VUE and Poser 6 and 7 love RAM so a new computer is probably what I need, I'll need to think about what I'm going to do with the one I have now- maybe set it aside for long renders.

It's the same as buying a new car when the old one is working perfectly (after replacing the fuel pump, power steering unit assembly, and  rear driver's side window motor assembly). 
Anyway gang enjoy the rest of the holiday season.  Plutom