Managing Swap File

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Fred - 29 Mar 2006 00:11 GMT

Been awhile since I had to get into the old system -- how do I limit the
size of my swap file or move it to another partition?

Thanks!

Fred

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Ron Martell - 29 Mar 2006 00:14 GMT

>Been awhile since I had to get into the old system -- how do I limit the
>size of my swap file or move it to another partition?
>
>Thanks!
>
>Fred

Never repeat never specify a maximum size limit for Virtual Memory in
Windows 9x. There is no benefit that can ever be achieved by doing
so. The only possible outcomes, in order of decreasing probability
and increasing severity, are:
- Reduced performance as your system reduces disk cache in order to
meet the total memory needs of your loaded applications and data
files.
- Applications refusing to load due to "insufficient memory" errors.
- Applications crashing due to "out of memory" errors resulting in
loss of data and possible corruption of data files.
- Total system lockups or crashes due to "out of memory" errors
resulting in loss of data and possible file corruption.

All of the benefits purportedly achieved by having a fixed or
permanent swap file can in fact be obtained by specifying a minimum
size only.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

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Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

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Fred - 29 Mar 2006 03:24 GMT

OK, thanks. (1) How do I specify a minimum swap file size? and (2) How do I
move the swap file to a different partition?

> >Been awhile since I had to get into the old system -- how do I limit the
> >size of my swap file or move it to another partition?
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

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Ron Martell - 29 Mar 2006 05:01 GMT

>OK, thanks. (1) How do I specify a minimum swap file size? and (2) How do I
>move the swap file to a different partition?

Open Control Panel - System - Performance and click on the Virtual
Memory button at the bottom of the window. In the Virtual Memory
window click on the "Let me specify....." button. You can then
choose an alternate drive location from the drop down list and enter
the value you want for the minimum swap file. The maximum line will
show a value equal to the current amount of free space on the drive,
and as I suggested previously I do not support changing this. Windows
interprets this setting as meaning "no maximum" and that is what it
will revert to after you click on the OK button.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

Signature

Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

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Fred - 30 Mar 2006 08:28 GMT

All righty! Thanks, Ron.

> >OK, thanks. (1) How do I specify a minimum swap file size? and (2) How do I
> >move the swap file to a different partition?
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

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Ron Badour - 29 Mar 2006 08:57 GMT

I too agree with Ron. However, moving the swap file to another partition
may decrease performance unless you are moving it to the first partition on
a second hard drive of equal efficiency (speed) to the primary drive and
provided the slave drive is less busy than primary drive. If you have
enough ram installed, there is no need to manage the swap file unless you
are trying to reduce the amount of fragmentation in C: drive.

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Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

> OK, thanks. (1) How do I specify a minimum swap file size? and (2) How do
> I
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
>>
>> Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

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PattyL - 29 Mar 2006 00:39 GMT

First, I agree with Ron.

But I don't see any problem with moving the swap file. You can do this by
right-clicking My Computer. Then click the Performance tab and then click
the Virtual Memory button.

Click "Let me specify my own virtual memory settings" and then use the drop
down arrow to change the disk drive. As Ron suggests, do not specify a
maximum.

PattyL

> Been awhile since I had to get into the old system -- how do I limit the
> size of my swap file or move it to another partition?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Fred

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Fred - 08 Apr 2006 17:15 GMT

Thanks.

> First, I agree with Ron.
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> >
> > Fred

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