Page file size

[Gonzo Ruler of the Universe]

For I have two 80 gig HD set up as one on a performance RAID controller. I
have 512mb ddr233 RAM. My page file size is currently set to zero. Should I
change this? If so, what to? And what does it do?

[Robert Michon]

You should set the pagefile to be managed by windows.

There has been a great deal of discussion concerning pagefile size and
location and the general consensus is that a Windows managed page file is a
happy pagefile, making a happy computer, and a happy user.

--
Bob Michon
Associate Expert
Expert Zone---http://microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/default.asp
___
"Gonzo Ruler of the Universe" <chic...@seasame.street> wrote in message
news:jrV6a.104692$zL6....@news2.central.cox.net...

[Gonzo Ruler of the Universe]

How so? What does it do?
"Robert Michon" <rob_m...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:eBx6cxU3...@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

[Robert Michon]

The pagefile, also referred to as virtual memory, is frequently used to
"stash" data that is not frequently used by a program, but should be
available more quickly than if it had to reprocess it all over again from
its native files. This leaves more actual memory, which is much faster,
available for actual processing of information rather than storage of data,
thus increasing performance.

I personally have performed some testing on various systems and found the
best performance is to let Windows manage the pagefile. In fact, I had one
system with 256MB of RAM, I set the page file to 1.5 times the amount of
actual memory and actually saw that system take a SERIOUS performance hit.
This setting was used because it was the optimum recommended size for the 9x
series of OSs.

Eventually even with 512 MB of ram, you will see the pagefile in use. If
you leave it set at 0. You may find your self in the middle of something
and the system will make a pagefile to use.

Good Luck!!

--
Bob Michon
Associate Expert
Expert Zone---http://microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/default.asp
___
"Gonzo Ruler of the Universe" <chic...@seasame.street> wrote in message

news:i667a.108991$zL6....@news2.central.cox.net...

[Gonzo Ruler of the Universe]

Ok... the simple of it is that it uses your hard drive to A:*preheat the
oven* so to speak by creating a virtual RAM area that makes additional
reference to your existing files so that it has a jump on the startup of
your frequently used programs. B: Doesn't slow things down, but does speed
them up.
Am I with it so far?
Next question- will enough RAM eliminate the need for Page File system?

"Robert Michon" <rob_m...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:OvVo9Ei3...@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...

[Robert Michon]

Yes.. You are understanding the concept of it.

In theory...Yes, but in practice...No. Enough ram should negate the need
for a pagefile, but there is not a system I have ever seen that does not use
a pagefile in some way. .

For example.. At this very minute, my system has 512 MB RAM with 270 MB of
it available and is currently using a 165MB pagefile.

Good Luck!

--
Bob Michon
Associate Expert
Expert Zone---http://microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/default.asp
___
"Gonzo Ruler of the Universe" <chic...@seasame.street> wrote in message

news:tTs7a.118395$zL6.1...@news2.central.cox.net...

[Gonzo Ruler of the Universe]

Thank you for your help. I will take your advice to let windows manage
it(even tho I HATE letting MS control ANY aspect of my computers) And I will
see if adding a second gig of RAM is going to help. Thanx again.

"Robert Michon" <rob_m...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:ujQeezr3...@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

[Lemon Jelly]

Gonzo Ruler of the Universe pulled the chain then typed:

> Thank you for your help. I will take your advice to let windows manage
> it(even tho I HATE letting MS control ANY aspect of my computers) And
> I will see if adding a second gig of RAM is going to help. Thanx

I don't think anyone is going to screw anything up following Robert's advice
but I don't agree that leaving XP to its own devices is necessarily always
the best option. The min size set by XP will be 1.5x the total RAM is only
really needed if you want to do a complete memory dump for diagnostic
purposes only. The number of people doing this dump is miniscule. You may
wish to look at what Alex Nichol has said on the subject here:-

http://www.aumha.org/a/xpvm.htm

IMO, this is the most complete info for XP specifically I seen.