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Moving Pagefile. Your Opinion pls!!

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by Maco88, 2002/12/11.

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  1. 2002/12/11
    Maco88

    Maco88 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Been runninf XP now for a month or so, and I noticed 2 very large files. Pagefile.sys (768mg) & Hiberfil.sys(512mg).

    I'm running a dual boot on a PIII-1GMhz, 512 RAM, 40 gig HD with Win 98 on C:\ & Win XP on D:\ & E:\ is used for storage of programs, files etc. I also have another 40gig HD installed fromatted in 3 extra partitions (F:\,G:\,H:\) which i use as extra storage for MP3,JPEGS etc.

    All drives are FAT32 except for D:\ which I have XP on NTFS.

    My questions are:

    1. Is 768mg for PAGEFILE enough or can I reduce that??

    2. Am I able to move the PAGEFILE to my secondary drive on say G:\ which has about 15 gig free??? or does it have to remain on the same HD as the OS. IF so would it be better off being on another partiton??? not forgetting C:\ is used for Win 98 OS.

    3. Would moving it out of D:\ where XP live, increase the system performance, as currently I am having no problems, just enquiring on a better option.

    4. Since I have never used Hibernation, I decided to disable this option. Is this ok, or is it better to leave in 'enabled;???

    Many thanx in advance.

    Cheers
     
    Last edited: 2002/12/11
  2. 2002/12/11
    Zephyr

    Zephyr Inactive

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    Here's what I recommend:

    Place your pagefile on the other physical drive. It does not have to be on the same drive as the OS. It is in fact better not to be.

    Reset it to custom size and select a minimum of 334 megs and a maximum of 500 megs. This high minimum will reduce the thrashing effect from constant resizing the file by Windows.

    There are ways to monitor the damand put upon the pagefile, one method is to check the Task Manager (ctrl+alt+del) performance tab and you will see its present usage demand. Check it a few times during which you are doing some intense graphic program or the likes to make sure it doesn't hit the maximum you have selected, if not, then forget about it. Mine usually stays around 160 but your milage may vary. If you keep hitting the max, bump it up incrementally by 100 meg steps until it has breathing room. That demand figure isn't representative of the pagefile size, it just shows what it is being asked to do. The actual size of mine is always right on the 334 meg setting, so I'm confident I have plenty on the high side.

    You'll not be able to detect the small speed increase it makes by this move but it will help you in some other areas such as CheckDisk since boot drive writes will be lessened.

    In that same vein, I suggest placing your TIF's on the other drive as well.

    I do not use Hibernation and always recommend disabling it. It is perfectly acceptable to do so and pick up some disk space. I don't trust it hibernating with my data.

    The above has worked well for me. No doubt others have different methods but the basics are the same.

    Cheers. :)
    ps, If you do move your Pagefile, check to see that the old one gets deleted. Sometime Windows leaves more than one Pagefile hanging around. Manually delete any except the active one. You'll know, since it won't let you delete the active one. :)
     
    Last edited: 2002/12/11

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  4. 2002/12/11
    Maco88

    Maco88 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanx Zeph,

    While on the subject of Task Manager fro some reason all I get when I activate 'Task Manager' is a simple 'Task' screen, with the current applications running and 3 buttons at the botton labelled -
    'End Task' - 'Switch To' - 'New Task...'

    I dont seen anything else, but I know there is more option like the Performance Tab, CPU Usage, etc etc, but I cant seem to find the option on how to access them.

    Any suggestions??
     
  5. 2002/12/11
    Zephyr

    Zephyr Inactive

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    Try typing taskmgr.exe in the Start > Run box and see if you get a different screen. :confused: I'm at a loss to explain why you don't have all the tabs. :confused:
     
  6. 2002/12/11
    Zephyr

    Zephyr Inactive

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    Wow, look here. Perhaps it's not all that uncommon after all! :D

    If that isn't helpful, try Ctrl+Shift+Esc to actuate it.
     
    Last edited: 2002/12/11
  7. 2002/12/11
    Maco88

    Maco88 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Well I'll be..............

    A double click did the trick..

    I now see my CPU Usage fluctuating between 1 - 6 %

    And my Pagefie usage at 178mg.

    I think I will monitor this over the next few days and set a limit close to what you recommended and see how I go from there

    Thanks again Zeph.
     
  8. 2002/12/11
    Zephyr

    Zephyr Inactive

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    Good 'nuff. Actually the maximum setting on mine (I just checked) is 4,096 megs but that setting has little effect on anything since it will never be reached. Consequently, don't be afraid to raise your higher than 500 megs. There's no real benefit to be had by clipping the top too short. The only real benefit is setting the minimum to a value slightly larger than you'll normally need. I hope I didn't muddy the water too much for you.

    Cheers! :)
     
    Last edited: 2002/12/11
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