Paging files

  • Thread starter Thread starter John Hubbard
  • Start date Start date
J

John Hubbard

When I tried to use Acrobat Reader for a manual on the
web, I was notified that I didn't have enough room in
virtual memory to handle it. I checked in the control
panel and found that for the drive involved the existing
initial size of the paging file is 384 mg (I have 256 mg
RAM) and the maximum size is 768, both of which fit into
the recommended minimums. Should I go ahead and increase,
anyway, and -- if so -- boost both initial size and
maximum size or just one of those two? Also, how big an
increase seems sensible>
 
The problem is most likely with having a maximum size set. Some programs ask for a ridiculous amount of potential virtual memory at startup, in case they need it. Most of the time they never need that much, but the request will trigger the error message. Just set maximum to the available disk space and you will not see the message anymore.

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP·DTS

Win9x VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/
 
I wouldn't advise doing this. This will restrict the rest of the free space
to the page file, leaving no room to write anymore data. I would set the
file to 1.5 x RAM for min and max settings.

aaron
The problem is most likely with having a maximum size set. Some programs
ask for a ridiculous amount of potential virtual memory at startup, in case
they need it. Most of the time they never need that much, but the request
will trigger the error message. Just set maximum to the available disk
space and you will not see the message anymore.

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP·DTS

Win9x VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/
 
Thanks, Mr. Smith, for your fast reply. I certainly will
check to see whether I've got some unsuspected system
hogs. -John Hubbard
 
aaron said:
I wouldn't advise doing this. This will restrict the rest of the free space
to the page file, leaving no room to write anymore data. I would set the
file to 1.5 x RAM for min and max settings.
Click to expand...

That is totally backwards. Pagefile requirements are *inversely*
proportional to the amount of RAM installed in the computer.

The pagefile is used to compensate for the *lack* of sufficient
physical RAM in the computer to meet the sum total of the requested
memory allocations.

More RAM means less pagefile and less RAM means more pagefile,
provided all other factors remain constant.


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."
 
John said:
When I tried to use Acrobat Reader for a manual on the
web, I was notified that I didn't have enough room in
virtual memory to handle it. I checked in the control
panel and found that for the drive involved the existing
initial size of the paging file is 384 mg (I have 256 mg
RAM) and the maximum size is 768, both of which fit into
the recommended minimums. Should I go ahead and increase,
anyway, and -- if so -- boost both initial size and
maximum size or just one of those two? Also, how big an
increase seems sensible>
Click to expand...

I'm a little surprised that that was not enough. And for most general
purpose uses the initial size is about where I would suggest - though
need is enormously variable, depending on workload. Increase the Max
size - if you make that too big (keeping under 2GB) , no harm is done,
Have a read at www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm and use the tool linked
from there to find out how much *actual* file you use in a typical
heavyish workload *for you*. Use that as a guide for initial (and for
deciding whether to put more RAM on the Christmas list)
 
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