Page file is fragmented

[Laurel]

The defrag utility says that my page file is fragmented into 14 pieces, and
it can't do anything about it. I'm thinking this may be the cause of
mysterious slowdowns on a system that now has 14 free gigabytes out of 37
and almost no fragmented files or folders. Is there a way to defrag the
page file?

 

[John John]

Try PageDefrag by Sysinternals
http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/PageDefrag.html

John

 

[John John]

Also, you can defrag the pagefile by deleting it (Set it to zero size)
then reboot and set it again to an appropriate size. One reason that
the pagefile might become fragmented is because it is dynamic, it is
allowed to grow and shrink as needed. You can avoid that by giving the
pagefile an adequate static (fixed) size.

John

 

[Yves Leclerc]

Not directly with XP. You need a third party defragmenter or do the following:

1) Set XP to not use a page file. Reboot. Page file should be deleted

2) Set XP to use a page file. Reboot. Page file should not be set and not be
fragmented.

 

[Laurel]

Where do I set the pagefile size?
More basic - where do I get to Windows HELP? I have no such thing in my
start menu. People refer to it, but I can't figure out how to get there.

 

[Laurel]

Where do I set XP to use or not use a page file? I looked around in various
places under "control panel." Couldn't find it.

More basic - where do I get to Windows HELP? I have no such thing in my
start menu. People refer to it, but I can't figure out how to get there.

 

[George Valkov]

press WinKey+Break, Advanced\Performance\Settings button\Advanced\Virtual
memory\Change button

 

[George]

Laurel,

It is called "Help and Support" on my start menu. If you find it just type
in pagefile and the first one that came up on my PC is what you are looking
for.

George

 

[Jim]

More basic - where do I get to Windows HELP? I have no such thing in my
start menu. People refer to it, but I can't figure out how to get there.

You get to Windows Help by accessing Help and Support in the start menu. At
least that is where I access it on my computers.
You can also get help under the help tab in the control panel. (To name
just one example).
Jim

 

[John John]

How to set performance options in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308417

or here:

http://www.petri.co.il/pagefile_optimization.htm

The help menu thing I'm not sure, maybe here:
Policy settings for the Start menu in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q292504

You might want to start a new thread for this different issue, others
might know how to get it back in a simpler manner.

John

 

[charli b]

You can also get help under the help tab in the control panel. (To name
just one example).
Jim

also from the help tab at the top of a open folder.

 

[Rock]

Where do I set XP to use or not use a page file? I looked around in
various places under "control panel." Couldn't find it.

More basic - where do I get to Windows HELP? I have no such thing in my
start menu. People refer to it, but I can't figure out how to get there.

"Yves Leclerc" wrote

How much memory is installed? A fragmented page file may not be the cause
of the problems. Here is an excellent article on Virtual Memory and setting
the page file in XP by the late Alex Nichol, MVP.

http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm

Slow Computer
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/slowcom.htm

 

[Joe Wright]

Where do I set the pagefile size?
More basic - where do I get to Windows HELP? I have no such thing in my
start menu. People refer to it, but I can't figure out how to get there.

Just show the desktop and press F1. The Help and Support Center will load.

 

[PowerUser]

There are numerous ways. But it's a marketing gimmick. PF is virtual
memory. It's contents change frequently, especially if you have less RAM.
Look elsewhere for speed up avenues.

 

[PowerUser]

The below should read "Its", not "It's".

There are numerous ways. But it's a marketing gimmick. PF is virtual
memory. It's contents change frequently, especially if you have less
RAM. Look elsewhere for speed up avenues.

 

[Bob I]

?? "It's" is a contraction of "it is", "Its" would be incorrect.

 

[PowerUser]

I need to clarify- I was referring to the second "It's", not the first one
Sorry, didn't realize there were two of them.

Here's the correct version:

There are numerous ways. But it's a marketing gimmick. PF is virtual
memory. *Its* contents change frequently, especially if you have less RAM.
Look elsewhere for speed up avenues.

 

[Bob I]

Oh, sorry, didn't catch that part, not to worry, small fish in a big sea!