Virtual Memory

[K-Bob]

I've been reading posts attempting to see if my virtual memory on Windows XP
is set correctly as the computer seems really slow lately. It is currently
set at INITIAL SIZE: 756 and MAXIMUM SIZE: 1512. One post suggested that
virtual memory should be set at "System managed size". Don't know where
those settings initiated from. I have 516MB of RAM. Also, I have an
external harddrive connected with 320GB of storage. Should that drive have
virtual memory configured? It currently is not.

 

[Jim]

I've been reading posts attempting to see if my virtual memory on Windows
XP
is set correctly as the computer seems really slow lately. It is
currently
set at INITIAL SIZE: 756 and MAXIMUM SIZE: 1512. One post suggested that
virtual memory should be set at "System managed size". Don't know where
those settings initiated from. I have 516MB of RAM. Also, I have an
external harddrive connected with 320GB of storage. Should that drive
have
virtual memory configured? It currently is not.

The initial size on your system is 1.5 x 512MB. The maximum size is 3 x 512
MB. The usual suggestion is maximum size should be 1.5 x RAM. So, your
pagefile is amply sized. If you specify "system managed size" right now,
nothing will happen. I have never caught Windows reducing the size of the
pagefile.

No, there is no need for a pagefile on your external harddrive. Besides,
Windows might not allow creating a pagefile on a removable disk.

Jim

 

[nass]

I've been reading posts attempting to see if my virtual memory on Windows XP
is set correctly as the computer seems really slow lately. It is currently
set at INITIAL SIZE: 756 and MAXIMUM SIZE: 1512. One post suggested that
virtual memory should be set at "System managed size". Don't know where
those settings initiated from. I have 516MB of RAM. Also, I have an
external harddrive connected with 320GB of storage. Should that drive have
virtual memory configured? It currently is not.

Hi Bob,
Best if you let windows to manage it for you.
How to set performance options in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308417/

Configure virtual memory or page file size(pagefile.sys) in windows vista/xp
to improve performanc
http://techblissonline.com/configur...ys-in-windows-vistaxp-to-improve-performance/

Windows memory: A whirlwind tour
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/library/j-memusage/
Quick Guide to Monitoring Memor
http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/76098/jsi-tip-4792-evaluating-memory-and-cache-usage.html
How to speed your PC:
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/supertweaks.htm

HTH,
nass

 

[Gerry]

There is nothing wrong with your setting, although I would set the minimum
and maximum at the same figure i.e at 1,512 as it will reduce file
fragmentation. Using system manages will cause more rapid file fragmentation
across the disk..

What is more important is the extent to which the system makes use of the
pagefile. If the system uses it a lot then the slower the performance as
accessing RAM is quicker than the pagefile.

Try Ctrl+Alt+Delete to select Task Manager and click the Performance
Tab. Under Commit Charge what is the Total, the Limit and the Peak?


--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[K-Bob]

After going ahead and "tweaking" some things as suggested by nass' response,
under Task Manager, Commit Charge, Total = 735112 Limit = 2028904 Peak =
2025832.

I have a Dell desktop and I did check with their website and discovered
there is a driver update for my model computer. Not sure exactly what to do
with that after the files are downloaded and I need to open them.

 

[K-Bob]

In Gerry's response, he suggested making the INITIAL SIZE and MAXIMUM SIZE
both 1512. What is your opinion on that??

 

[Alister]

After going ahead and "tweaking" some things as suggested by nass' response,
under Task Manager, Commit Charge, Total = 735112 Limit = 2028904 Peak =
2025832.

I have a Dell desktop and I did check with their website and discovered
there is a driver update for my model computer.  Not sure exactly what to do
with that after the files are downloaded and I need to open them.

Find where you downloaded the files to and run them. Dell drivers are
normally contained in a file called R12345.exe or something similar.

When you run this file, it will (by default) create a folder in C:\DELL
\drivers\R12345 (for example) which will contain the drivers. Find
this folder and run the setup.exe in that folder.

Alister

 

[Gerry]

K-Bob

Please recheck your figures as a peak of 2,025,832 means there has at one
point been a colossal use of the pagefile. A total of 735,112 indicates more
reliance of the pagefile than I would like to see. Are you running graphics
software?

You should be able to gather more information from Task Manager. With
the Processes tab open select View, Select, Columns and check the boxes
before Peak Memory Usage and Virtual Memory size. What are the figures
for the 6 processes using the largest amounts?

What Dell model is your computer?


--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Jim]

In Gerry's response, he suggested making the INITIAL SIZE and MAXIMUM SIZE
both 1512. What is your opinion on that??

Yes, I saw that response. My systems are set to use "System Managed
Size".

I would not set maximum size = minimum size (no matter what the arbitrary
size may be) because this method boxes you into a possible hang.

Jim