Tweaking
your System Memory
Last
Updated on September 26, 2000 by Thomas
McGuire - Page 5/8
Setting
Virtual memory
Based on your results, there are 2 different methods
that should be considered when setting the Virtual memory. 1
is to create a permanent
fixed Swapfile; the other is to create a semi-permanent one. The benefit
of a Semi-permanent one is that if needed, Windows can
enlarge the size of it. This will remove any chance of Out
of memory errors occurring. Afterwards Windows will
bring the Swapfile back to its original, Minimum
size.
If you want to go the Permanent route then set the
size about 30-50MB’s larger than the value you’ve
calculated, E.g. given the values calculated earlier you’d
set both the Minimum & Maximum to
150MB. This will allow for most unforeseen circumstances
where extra Virtual memory is needed. Given the large size
of hard drives today you should have no problem allowing for
the extra space needed for this.
Once you’ve decided on which method you want to
choose, take the following steps. NOTE – Some
recommend disabling Virtual memory first. Rebooting,
then defragmenting the hard drive. Then setting the Virtual
memory options. I do not recommend this as it won’t
help you much in the sense that it won’t do anything that
defragmenting with the Swapfile enabled won’t do
(Unless you have a defragmenter that can move the swap file
to the outer edge of the hard drive that is).
1.
Right click on My computer
& select Properties.
Select the Performance
tab.
2.
Select Virtual memory. Choose
Let me specify my own
virtual memory setting. Select step A or B depending on
which path you choose to take.
A.
If you’ve chosen to use a Permanent
fixed Swapfile set it as shown below (substituting in
your own values of course). The values shown below are those
I would use.
B.
If you’ve chosen to use a Semi-Permanent
Swapfile set it as shown below (substituting in your own
values of course). For the Maximum
value however set it to whatever amount of hard disk you
have free. The values shown below are those I use.
3.
Reboot your PC for the changes to take effect.
Optional - You can also set Virtual memory via the system.ini.
Click on Start, Run. Type in system.ini
& hit Enter.
Scroll down to the [386Enh] section &
add/edit the following lines. The numeric
values (where appropriate) to be entered in are in KB’s so
to calculate the value, use MB*1024 or Bytes/1024
as the numeric value to enter in.
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