A virtual mode virtual memory manager method and apparatus are provided. Mechanisms are provided for allowing a virtual memory manager to operate in virtual mode utilizing virtual addresses for all of its own data structures, allowing for physical discontinuity of the physical memory backing those data structures. First order virtual memory manager metadata is included for resolving system wide virtual memory page faults. Second order virtual memory manager metadata is provided to resolve faults on the first order virtual memory manager metadata. The second order virtual memory manager metadata is associated with pinned entries in a page table and thus, faults on the second order virtual memory manager metadata cannot occur.