Virtual Memory Question

[krackers01]

Hello,

I have a quick question here.

Under Virtual Memory, does the Initial Size just mean the amount of memory windows will start to take when it hits that amount? The max size is obviously self explanitory.

I have a heavy duty program here which mentions that I should increase the virtual memory. Windows isn't doing it automatically.

Do I just edit the Maximum Size field to resolve this issue? Do I ever have to change the initial size field?

Thanks

 

[cdogg]

You set the minimum size to be the smallest you want the Virtual Memory to get. So if your program for some reason wants you to have more, put the number in that field.

Generally, Windows will set the initial size as 1.5 times the amount of RAM installed in your system. This is enough to cover crashes with system dumps. Rarely does Windows every expand it beyond that.

You would be better served by increasing the amount of RAM you have to say 2 gigs, and Windows will automatically reserve more Virtual Memory in the process.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Einstein
[tab][navy]For posting policies, click [/navy]here.

 

[krackers01]

thanks for the response

So if I want to bump it up a bit, I add the numbers in the initial size and not in the maximum size?

 

[SirBlack]

Before experimenting with Virtual Memory, you might want to back up all important files in case things go haywire.
You may also need to free up space. CCleaner is very good app for this and available at

http://www.download.com.

You might want to try that first before toying with VM. After cleaning out all the junk, run chkdsk and then defrag your HD and see if that helps.

Virtural Memory isused by your OS to store physical memory (RAM) content when Windows needs to make room for more content. Hence, it's sensitive to available space on your disk (if your HD is almost full, Windows won't be able to expand that file to the size it needs).

To change your VM settings, right click on My Computer > left click on Properties > Advanced > Settings in the Performance area > Advanced. Under Virtual Memory, left click on Change. Left click on your HD that your OS is installed (usually C. Select the radio button labeled: Custom size:
A rule of thumb is to set the size to 2.5 times your real RAM. Setting the Initial & Max. values to the VM (and doing after a disk defrag), will reserve that space for the file (even if your drive fills up, your OS will have enough space for it) and minimise fragmentation of the file. You may notice a speedup of startup and shutdown times.
You might want to play it safe and increase your VM incrementally. After setting the new page file size left click on OK > OK > OK. Then restart the computer.

Another option is to add more RAM or a install a 2nd HD (doesn't have to be large, 4-10GB's should do) and put the swap file & IE cache on the slaved HD. If your current HD is small, you may want to consider investing in a larger HD & using the old one as the slave.

Hope this helps!

Bob

Remember, if you can't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them.

 

[SirBlack]

Forgot to mention, max. size allowed by XP is 4.0GB's. So even if you have 2GB of RAM, you can only increase your VM to 4.0.

Bob

Remember, if you can't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them.

 

[ArizonaGeek]

I was just gonna say what Bob said Microsoft has a maximum on your virtual memory.

But he beat me to it. To be sure, real RAM is always going to be better (ie faster) than virtual memory. Also, if you are going to be using your virtual memory quite a bit you'll need to defrag your hard drive more often or as Bob mentioned getting a second hard drive and setting it up as a swap drive.

Cheers
Rob

The answer is always "PEBKAC!

 

[cdogg]

krackers,
Yeah, I meant to specify that the initial size is the same as the minimum size. If you just increase the maximum setting, Windows may never look at it.

Also, what program are we talking about? Chances are that making sure you have plenty of RAM is more important than messing with the Virtual Memory settings.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Einstein
[tab][navy]For posting policies, click [/navy]here.

 

[linney]

RAM, Virtual Memory, PageFile and all that stuff.

http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/WindowsGeneralWeb/RAMVirtualMemoryPageFileEtc.htm

 

[krackers01]

Thanks a lot for the help everyone. I decided to just install a 512MB stick in the PC.