Windows 95/98 Tip

[dan3223]

Here's a Windows 95/98 tips for you guys:)

The swap files or what windows term as "Virtual Memory" is actually using the hard drive space when the actual RAM runs out. You don't usually have to bother with since Windows can handle the Virtual Memory by itself. However, tuning up the swap files might speed up things a little. Double-click the System icon in Control Panel. Click on the Performance tab and on the Virtual Memory button. Select Let me specify my own virtual memory settings. By default, the drive selected will be where you install Windows. Select the fastest drive or partition you got. If you have a faster but smaller partition, you may use that as well. Defrag the drive first. Now, set Both Maximum and Minimum values to 2 1/2 of your actual RAM available. If you have 16 RAM, set both to 40. If you have 32 RAM, set both to 80. You need to restart to take effect.

[reboot]

An oldie, but a goodie, however...
In todays systems with 128 meg or more, the 2 1/2 x RAM rule is ludicrous.
NOBODY needs a swap file that's over 300 megabytes!
So...this "rule of thumb" gets slightly rewritten.

If you've got less than 64 meg, then 2 1/2 x RAM is a fairly good idea. If you've got 64 meg or more, then set your swap to 128 meg max and min, and THAT'S PLENTY!
Empty about 15 of those icons out of the taskbar (You know, the crap that Compaq, Dell, et al put in there by default), and windows will rarely ever even USE the swap file.

[resetor]

I was just thinking, if i switched the swap file to 128 MIN/MAX, and there's nothing to swap? Would Windows just fill it with numbers to 1 - 19999, or something else?

[Omletteboy]

Setting 128 meg max/min mean you have a permanent swap. It will not fluctuate above or below the parameters and windows does not put any arbitrary numbers in it. Once you use up all your physical memory then it use your swap but will be limited to 128 meg.

[BRVB]

Hi Reboot!...and to all,just for the record, I've read from many 'authorities', you should NOT put a MAX limit on the swap file, however your correct in the minimum, I think, of 128mb...
I have Norton Utilities "SpeedDisk" do it automatically(set and defrag it at 128mb, with no MAX).

Bruce