I recently ordered a VPS and began to customize it. Unfortunately, I'm not a linux expert (or geek for that matter) so some of what I needed to do didn't come natural to me.

Like altering the php.ini file. Through SSH command line. Thingy.

But through the power of Google and my sheer determination to do this myself, I managed to increase my VPS' memory limit! (Drupal just won't work well at 8M.) And here's how I did it.

(Some notes: I did this through Apple's Terminal utility, logged into ssh mode to my server as root. Plesk keeps the php.ini file in the /etc/ folder, and nano wouldn't work, so I used vi )

First, I typed this is:
cd /etc/
Then I opened up the vi editor with:
vi php.ini

At this point you're seeing half a screen of text (the top of the php.ini file.) You MUST read the Basic vi Commands Page if you don't know what you're doing. I actually found it to be extremely helpful and not too intimidating after a bit of practice. Command b and Command f will go through the pages, and the other commands are pretty intuitive.

Follow the instructions from the Basic vi Commands webpage to alter the php.ini file. (Read the sections on deleting and changing text.)

When you've made the changes type in
:w < Hit Return >
to save (write) the changes then
:q < Hit Return >
to quit.

Restart Apache
service httpd restart
and your changes should be live.

I know, this stuff is pretty basic for a lot of people, but I was just thrilled I did it! And if I can do it... well...

Sources:
I discovered the two lines to get into vi here.
The Basic vi Commands.
Restart Apache.