static Page File Size not working

[corymk]

I am running a computer with one 1024 MB of PC333 Memory. I have
always been told and been in the habit of setting up the page file
size as twice what the memory is for the Initial and the Maximum
settings. I statically setup the Initial and the Maximum to 2048 and
clicked set. The computer notifies me that it will need to reboot in
order to make the setting change stay. I reboot the computer and it
makes absolutely no difference. The Microsoft Recommended Page File
Size is 1533 and it somehow allocates 1534 every time no matter what
you set in the Initial and Maximum sizes. I have set the size smaller
than 1534 and bigger than 1534 and it always defaults to that size.
The XP default limit is like 4092 unless you over-ride that setting.
There is over 18GB of free space on that partition so I know that is
not the problem. This computer was freshly setup about a month or two
ago so it is not scar tissue from a corrupted operating system. The
machine is also a dual-boot of XP Professional and Vista Ultimate for
testing purposes. There are three partitions on the hard drive, one
for each operating system and one for backup ghost images of the
setups. I am wondering what to think of this situation now.

 

[Rich Barry]

Did you remember to click Apply, Ok ,after Setting the page file.

 

[Zilbandy]

Did you remember to click Apply, Ok ,after Setting the page file.

You don't need to click both Apply and Ok. Clicking Ok will apply the
setting and close the window. Clicking Apply will apply the setting
but leave the window open. In either case, the setting will (should)
be applied.

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM]

I am running a computer with one 1024 MB of PC333 Memory. I have
always been told and been in the habit of setting up the page file
size as twice what the memory is for the Initial and the Maximum
settings. I statically setup the Initial and the Maximum to 2048 and
clicked set. The computer notifies me that it will need to reboot in
order to make the setting change stay. I reboot the computer and it
makes absolutely no difference. The Microsoft Recommended Page File
Size is 1533 and it somehow allocates 1534 every time no matter what
you set in the Initial and Maximum sizes. I have set the size smaller
than 1534 and bigger than 1534 and it always defaults to that size.
The XP default limit is like 4092 unless you over-ride that setting.
There is over 18GB of free space on that partition so I know that is
not the problem. This computer was freshly setup about a month or two
ago so it is not scar tissue from a corrupted operating system. The
machine is also a dual-boot of XP Professional and Vista Ultimate for
testing purposes. There are three partitions on the hard drive, one
for each operating system and one for backup ghost images of the
setups. I am wondering what to think of this situation now.

You're better off just letting Windows handle it. This isn't Win98 anymore.

 

[Ron Martell]

I am running a computer with one 1024 MB of PC333 Memory. I have
always been told and been in the habit of setting up the page file
size as twice what the memory is for the Initial and the Maximum
settings.

You have been told wrong and are doing things completely backwards.

The page file exists so as to compensate for the *lack* of sufficient
physical memory (RAM) to meet the total memory requirements of the
computer. Page file requirements are *inversely* related to the
amount of physical RAM installed - more RAM means less page file and
less RAM means less page file, provided all other factors remain
constant.

I statically setup the Initial and the Maximum to 2048 and
clicked set. The computer notifies me that it will need to reboot in
order to make the setting change stay. I reboot the computer and it
makes absolutely no difference. The Microsoft Recommended Page File
Size is 1533 and it somehow allocates 1534 every time no matter what
you set in the Initial and Maximum sizes. I have set the size smaller
than 1534 and bigger than 1534 and it always defaults to that size.
The XP default limit is like 4092 unless you over-ride that setting.
There is over 18GB of free space on that partition so I know that is
not the problem. This computer was freshly setup about a month or two
ago so it is not scar tissue from a corrupted operating system. The
machine is also a dual-boot of XP Professional and Vista Ultimate for
testing purposes. There are three partitions on the hard drive, one
for each operating system and one for backup ghost images of the
setups. I am wondering what to think of this situation now.

Is the computer infested with any Norton/Symantec products? At least
some versions of that unmitigated crapware are known to override user
settings in this way.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2008)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[R. McCarty]

Also some versions (7.x) of eTrust Anti-Virus software will get in
the way of Pagefile settings.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

You have been told wrong and are doing things completely backwards.

The page file exists so as to compensate for the *lack* of sufficient
physical memory (RAM) to meet the total memory requirements of the
computer. Page file requirements are *inversely* related to the
amount of physical RAM installed - more RAM means less page file and
less RAM means less page file, provided all other factors remain
constant.

I don't usually make "me too" posts, but it's important that corymk
understand that what Ron says here is absolutely correct, so I want to
add my voice to his.

 

[Rich Barry]

If you are not satisfied with the responses you have received you can
try this
http://www.snapfiles.com/opinions/FreeRAM_XP/FreeRAM_XP.html

 

[Curt Christianson]

OUCH! <vbg>

--
HTH,
Curt

Windows Support Center
www.aumha.org
Practically Nerded,...
http://dundats.mvps.org/Index.htm

| If you are not satisfied with the responses you have received you can
| try this
| http://www.snapfiles.com/opinions/FreeRAM_XP/FreeRAM_XP.html
|

 

[Lil' Dave]

I am running a computer with one 1024 MB of PC333 Memory. I have
always been told and been in the habit of setting up the page file
size as twice what the memory is for the Initial and the Maximum
settings. I statically setup the Initial and the Maximum to 2048 and
clicked set. The computer notifies me that it will need to reboot in
order to make the setting change stay. I reboot the computer and it
makes absolutely no difference. The Microsoft Recommended Page File
Size is 1533 and it somehow allocates 1534 every time no matter what
you set in the Initial and Maximum sizes. I have set the size smaller
than 1534 and bigger than 1534 and it always defaults to that size.
The XP default limit is like 4092 unless you over-ride that setting.
There is over 18GB of free space on that partition so I know that is
not the problem. This computer was freshly setup about a month or two
ago so it is not scar tissue from a corrupted operating system. The
machine is also a dual-boot of XP Professional and Vista Ultimate for
testing purposes. There are three partitions on the hard drive, one
for each operating system and one for backup ghost images of the
setups. I am wondering what to think of this situation now.

While I don't agree with your logic of such a large and static swapfile, I
don't see a reply addressing your question. Just replies regarding the
swapfile size etc. which isn't a genuine issue, just unjustified use of the
hard disk for such a swapfile. I don't personally have an answer for the
question you asked.

For a more interesting look at the XP swapfile, see this conversation at
toward bottom of the page:
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/WinXP/Q_20903319.html
Dave