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Windows XP: Working with Virtual Memory When it comes to virtual memory, big is not necessarily best. Dave Cook explains…
When a Windows XP computer runs low on RAM, it begins a process called paging - or memory swapping if you’re used to using a Windows 9*/Me based operating system. The paging process involves moving blocks (or pages) of data out of physical memory and onto disk. A small amount of paging is perfectly normal on most computers, but unnecessary paging should be avoided at all cost. Excessive paging, sometimes called thrashing, becomes a problem when the hard disk goes into overdrive as it tries to shuffle data to and from RAM. Hence, the best way to avoid thrashing of the disk is to install plenty of RAM. Fine-tuning your virtual memory settings is also a good way to boost system performance and we’ll show you how to do just that in a moment. First, though, let’s cover the basics in a little more detail. On Show By default, Windows XP creates the page file in the root folder of the same drive that holds the system files. The size of this file depends on the amount of physical RAM installed. To be able to see this file you need to ensure Windows XP has been configured to show hidden and system files. You can do this by opening Windows Explorer, clicking Tools, and then Folder Options. Then, from the View tab in the Advanced Settings windows, go to the Hidden Files And Folders folder and checkmark the Show Hidden Files And Folders option. Now open Windows Explorer and in the left pane click your root drive, which is normally drive C:. You’ll be able to see the size of the page file by looking in the right pane of Windows Explorer for the file, PAGEFILE.SYS. Times Table Left to its own devices, Windows XP sets the minimum size of the page file to 1.5 times the amount of physical RAM installed in your system. The maximum size is, by default, set at 3 times that value. Hence, with 128MB of RAM installed, Windows XP will configure a page file of between 192MB and 384MB. Those default values are about right for a computer installed with only 128MB of RAM. With 256MB of RAM installed on you system, the default settings of between 384MB and 768MB are probably a little high. Unless you’re a power user, you may be able to lower the first and almost certainly the second of the two figures without producing the thrashing syndrome we mentioned earlier. Furthermore, if you have 512MB of RAM installed then the size of the page file reserved for your system - between 768MB and 1536MB – is almost certainly a waste of disk space.
Right! Here’s how to change the size of your page file to something a little more practical, while managing to reclaim some lost disk space into the bargain. Using administrator privileges (if you’re the only account holder, that’s you!), open System in the Control Panel, choose the Advanced tab, and then click the Settings button in the Performance section. In the Performance Options dialog box, click the Advanced tab. Then click the Change button to display the Virtual Memory dialog box. Ensure the root drive is highlighted at the top of the dialog box and then in the Custom Size section enter a value in the Initial Size box to specify the starting size of the page file. Then enter a value in the Maximum Size box, which should be at least as large as the Initial Size you’ve just entered, but smaller than the default Maximum Size value we mentioned earlier. The Maximum Size value you choose will ultimately depend on your own individual circumstances. There are no hard and fast rules here, so use your discretion. And Finally… Click the Set button to record your new settings. Finally, click OK, and then restart the computer for the changes to take effect.
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To
maintain peak performance, Windows XP is much like its predecessors
in that it pays to slam in the RAM. Indeed, running low on physical
RAM is one of the most common reasons why Windows computers crawl
rather than operate to their full potential.
How
It’s Done