Managing Swap File

[Fred]

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

[Ron Martell]

"Fred" > wrote:

>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
--
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."

[PattyL]

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


"Fred" > wrote in message
news:DojWf.5431$qm2.1453@trnddc03...
> 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
>
>

[Fred]

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?

"Ron Martell" > wrote in message
...
> "Fred" > wrote:
>
> >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
> --
> 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."

[Ron Martell]

"Fred" > wrote:

>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
--
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."

[Ron Badour]

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.

--
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



"Fred" > wrote in message
news:SdmWf.19873$6%2.1787@trnddc08...
> 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?
>
> "Ron Martell" > wrote in message
> ...
>> "Fred" > wrote:
>>
>> >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
>> --
>> 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."
>
>

[Fred]

All righty! Thanks, Ron.

"Ron Martell" > wrote in message
...
> "Fred" > wrote:
>
> >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
> --
> 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."

[Fred]

Thanks.

"PattyL" > wrote in message
...
> 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
>
>
> "Fred" > wrote in message
> news:DojWf.5431$qm2.1453@trnddc03...
> > 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
> >
> >
>
>