Pagefile and virtual memory

[Guest]

Hi,

1. Are virtual memory and pagefile the same? If not what is the
difference? As I understand it all programs/processes in a 32-bit OS get
allotted a 32 bit (4 GB ) Virtual memory space. Then how does pagefile fit
in here, especially if it is only 512MB in size? Any of you hardware wizards
help me out with this??

2. If I have a win2k server as a terminal server with 4GB of RAM, how do I
go about setting the pagefile size?

3. Long time ago I read that it is best to set the max and min pagefile
size the same, so as to avoid wasting CPU cycles at busy times and also to
ensure that the pagefile remains un-fragmented. Does this still hold true
today??

Thanks in advance for your time and help.

David.

 

[Dan Seur]

1. Yes, they're the same. As one task encounters a wait, it may be
swapped out and another swapped in, maximizing real CPU work done.

2. Start with the size the system recommends. Place the pagefile on a
volume(s) where it(they) are least likely to encounter read/write
contention. Observe performance, then experiment.

3. MIN=MAX is still a good idea AFAIK.

HTH

 

[George Hester]

I can answer two of these. Your second one not. Yes Virtual Memory and
Pagefile are the same. Virtual memory is allocating diskspace as a memory
repository and pagefile.sys is the name of that file. Your third question
no. The max and min it was suggested to be the same to keep the
pagefile.sys from fragmenting because you cannot defrag the pagefile.sys.
Thereby effecting CPU. But in fact the less YOU try to effect the
pagefile.sys the happier camper you will be. pagefile.sys size depends on
your installed Memory..

 

[Dan Seur]

Pagefile.sys (and other locked system files) can be defragged by various
OEM defraggers like PerfectDisk, at boot time.

 

[Rob Stow]

George Hester wrote:
[SNIP]

... because you cannot defrag the pagefile.sys ...

Absolutely incorrect.

You should avoid putting yourself in a situation where your page
file /needs/ to be defragged, but it if does then any half decent
defragger can do the job for you. It can't be done while Windows
is running: you will have to tell the defragging software to do
it at the next boot.

 

[George Hester]

Yes so I have heard. It is better to move the pagefile.sys to a different
partition not the root then defrag the root then move it back.

 

[George Hester]

Which the native defragger cannot do. I try to make suggestions that do not
require 3rd party applications. So yes it is correct with what Windows 2000
comes with.

--
George Hester
_________________________________

George Hester wrote:
[SNIP]

... because you cannot defrag the pagefile.sys ...

Absolutely incorrect.

You should avoid putting yourself in a situation where your page
file /needs/ to be defragged, but it if does then any half decent
defragger can do the job for you. It can't be done while Windows
is running: you will have to tell the defragging software to do
it at the next boot.

 

[Rob Stow]

Which the native defragger cannot do. I try to make suggestions that do not
require 3rd party applications. So yes it is correct with what Windows 2000
comes with.

Given that the OP was talking about a server there is no excuse
for not acquiring the proper software tools to maintain the server.

--
George Hester
_________________________________

George Hester wrote:
[SNIP]

... because you cannot defrag the pagefile.sys ...

Absolutely incorrect.

You should avoid putting yourself in a situation where your page
file /needs/ to be defragged, but it if does then any half decent
defragger can do the job for you. It can't be done while Windows
is running: you will have to tell the defragging software to do
it at the next boot.

 

[George Hester]

$$$ maybe? There are all knids of reasons for not installing 3rd party
applications $$$ being one of them. I assume the Native tools are "proper
software tools." If they aren't well then my bad.

--
George Hester
_________________________________

Which the native defragger cannot do. I try to make suggestions that do not
require 3rd party applications. So yes it is correct with what Windows 2000
comes with.

Given that the OP was talking about a server there is no excuse
for not acquiring the proper software tools to maintain the server.

--
George Hester
_________________________________

George Hester wrote:
[SNIP]


... because you cannot defrag the pagefile.sys ...

Absolutely incorrect.

You should avoid putting yourself in a situation where your page
file /needs/ to be defragged, but it if does then any half decent
defragger can do the job for you. It can't be done while Windows
is running: you will have to tell the defragging software to do
it at the next boot.

 

[Dan Seur]

Please pee downwind. No point in splattering the NG.

$$$ maybe? There are all knids of reasons for not installing 3rd party
applications $$$ being one of them. I assume the Native tools are "proper
software tools." If they aren't well then my bad.

--
George Hester
_________________________________

Which the native defragger cannot do. I try to make suggestions that do

not

require 3rd party applications. So yes it is correct with what Windows

2000

comes with.

Given that the OP was talking about a server there is no excuse
for not acquiring the proper software tools to maintain the server.

--
George Hester
_________________________________


George Hester wrote:
[SNIP]



... because you cannot defrag the pagefile.sys ...

Absolutely incorrect.

You should avoid putting yourself in a situation where your page
file /needs/ to be defragged, but it if does then any half decent
defragger can do the job for you. It can't be done while Windows
is running: you will have to tell the defragging software to do
it at the next boot.

 

[George Hester]

Well I hope you are there for a deserved washing. No need to degenerate
into name calling Dan but I guess we can oblige you.

--
George Hester
_________________________________

Please pee downwind. No point in splattering the NG.

$$$ maybe? There are all knids of reasons for not installing 3rd party
applications $$$ being one of them. I assume the Native tools are "proper
software tools." If they aren't well then my bad.

--
George Hester
_________________________________

George Hester wrote:

Which the native defragger cannot do. I try to make suggestions that

do

not

require 3rd party applications. So yes it is correct with what Windows
2000

comes with.

Given that the OP was talking about a server there is no excuse
for not acquiring the proper software tools to maintain the server.



--
George Hester
_________________________________


George Hester wrote:
[SNIP]



... because you cannot defrag the pagefile.sys ...

Absolutely incorrect.

You should avoid putting yourself in a situation where your page
file /needs/ to be defragged, but it if does then any half decent
defragger can do the job for you. It can't be done while Windows
is running: you will have to tell the defragging software to do
it at the next boot.

 

[Rob Stow]

Please pee downwind. No point in splattering the NG.

George Hester wrote:

The "native tool" in this case is a crippleware version of
Diskeeper. Not quite what adequate for the job at hand.

If the OP (or his boss) has no money, he has my sympathies -
I've worked at places where lack of proper software and hardware
tools significantly reduced my ability to do my job well and I
wouldn't wish that on anyone.

--
George Hester
_________________________________

George Hester wrote:


Which the native defragger cannot do. I try to make suggestions that do
not


require 3rd party applications. So yes it is correct with what Windows
2000


comes with.

Given that the OP was talking about a server there is no excuse
for not acquiring the proper software tools to maintain the server.




--
George Hester
_________________________________



George Hester wrote:
[SNIP]




... because you cannot defrag the pagefile.sys ...

Absolutely incorrect.

You should avoid putting yourself in a situation where your page
file /needs/ to be defragged, but it if does then any half decent
defragger can do the job for you. It can't be done while Windows
is running: you will have to tell the defragging software to do
it at the next boot.