Swap file steal harddisk space

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Yanto - 25 Feb 2004 22:49 GMT

When I start my computer, and no program run, the swap file size is around
65 MB, this is double than last week. I still can't figure out what makes
the swap file grow up. During that period I just used Microsoft Access
programming, no new software installation even no additional automatic
starting program (webserver, antivirus program, real player). That's why I
wonder, I have lost my space quite big. When I reduce the maximum size of
swap file (by modifying virtual memory), few automatic starting program get
some error. I like to find the real source problem.
Pls give any comment.
TIA

Yanto

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Jeff Richards - 26 Feb 2004 01:21 GMT

Run fewer programs, run smaller or less complicated programs, use smaller or
less complicated files (such as documents without images) or install more
RAM. You should not limit the size of virtual memory as this will create
errors, as you have discovered. 65Mb is not large for a swap file - two or
three times that size is not unusual. If a swap file of this size is causing
disk free space problems then you need to clean out the hard disk or install
a larger one.

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Jeff Richards
MS MVP W95/W98

> When I start my computer, and no program run, the swap file size is around
> 65 MB, this is double than last week. I still can't figure out what makes
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Yanto

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Gerry Voras - 26 Feb 2004 07:47 GMT

You have small, variable-type swap file. As programs run out of space in
the conventrional, upper, and XMS memory areas, they start calling on hex
addresses starting at the 4gig mark.. This is the place where swapfiles kick
in. As more and more programs do the, the variable swap file adjsuts size.

Depending on your exact memory config, I would say that the 100 open files
that Access requires, plus your TSRs in the systray, plus command system and
required files for operations, probably filled the conv, upper, and xms
blocks fairly quickly.

> When I start my computer, and no program run, the swap file size is around
> 65 MB, this is double than last week. I still can't figure out what makes
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Yanto

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Jeff Richards - 26 Feb 2004 20:59 GMT

See here for information about the swap file.
http://aumha.org/win4/a/memmgmt.htm
Windows 98 & WinME Memory Management

Conventional, upper and XMS memory are DOS concerns and have nothing to do
with the swap file. The Intel microprocessor cannot generate addresses
'starting at the 4gig mark'.

Signature

Jeff Richards
MS MVP W95/W98

> You have small, variable-type swap file. As programs run out of space in
> the conventrional, upper, and XMS memory areas, they start calling on hex
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> >
> > Yanto

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