Setting Paging file settings

[Juppy]

I have 2GB of RAM and 3 HDD. At the paging file settings, it says Recommended : 3069 but when I click custom size, I don't know what to put for initial size and maximum size. Can someone tell me what is the recommended initial size and maximum size?

Also, can I set paging file for all 3 HDD? Will the computer use all 3 HDD's paging files?

[SCHUMI-4-EVA]

A Paging File is simple harddrive space being used as if it were RAM....there's no need to set it for 3 harddrives....nor is it possible...it would be just plain stupid...

Also I at least generally think you should let Windows Manage it and leave it at that...because I used to set it much higher than recommended and Windows would suddenly complain about running out of Virtual Memory...so unless you get that message often (and then I am not sure what the solution would be) just let Windows deal with it.

[Phil]

Think of a paging file as virtual memory........Windows creates these files so browsing can be faster

[Juppy]

I know what is paging file. What I want to know is the OPTIMAL settings for it.

[Arick_darkangel]

Originally Posted by Juppy

I have 2GB of RAM and 3 HDD. At the paging file settings, it says Recommended : 3069 but when I click custom size, I don't know what to put for initial size and maximum size. Can someone tell me what is the recommended initial size and maximum size?

Also, can I set paging file for all 3 HDD? Will the computer use all 3 HDD's paging files?

-offcourse you can but why you wanna set it on 3 HDD as i see you had 2 GB RAM?1 is enough especially in system drive for Virtual memory.
-windows will 'use' it all if there are data need to be stored in VM but generally 1 is enough because set VM in all your drive wouldn't increase speed as long your RAM can handle it (compatibility, yes). it is recommended to set at 'let windows set VM'

[SCHUMI-4-EVA]

As I said....let Windows manage it...

[Juppy]

Originally Posted by SCHUMI-4-EVA

A Paging File is simple harddrive space being used as if it were RAM....there's no need to set it for 3 harddrives....nor is it possible...it would be just plain stupid...

Also I at least generally think you should let Windows Manage it and leave it at that...because I used to set it much higher than recommended and Windows would suddenly complain about running out of Virtual Memory...so unless you get that message often (and then I am not sure what the solution would be) just let Windows deal with it.

Originally Posted by Arick_darkangel

-offcourse you can but why you wanna set it on 3 HDD as i see you had 2 GB RAM?1 is enough especially in system drive for Virtual memory.
-windows will 'use' it all if there are data need to be stored in VM but generally 1 is enough because set VM in all your drive wouldn't increase speed as long your RAM can handle it (compatibility, yes). it is recommended to set at 'let windows set VM'

Two contradicting posts. Which to believe. :s

[Phil]

If you have more then 3 gigs of ram, there is really no need to "optimize" paging file settings

[Arick_darkangel]

Originally Posted by Juppy

Two contradicting posts. Which to believe. :s

I recommend you to believe at what mr schumi-4-eva said coz, i just have a little work in software. i also had no educational background about system operating so your best option is to ignore my post. just trying to help as i can in my experience.

and can u see 'USE' that i write? it mean windows will use it if there are really2 HEAVY data that cann't be stored in RAM.

mr.SCHUMI-4EVA said if set at high value it still need more/run out.

".because I used to set it much higher than recommended and Windows would suddenly complain about running out of Virtual Memory"

[Phil]

Look like schumi said, let windows handle it. Juppy, is your comp slowing down or something? because i doubt a paging file is the culprit...rather a memory hungry app you have runing in the backroud

[Arick_darkangel]

Originally Posted by Phil

Look like schumi said, let windows handle it. Juppy, is your comp slowing down or something? because i doubt a paging file is the culprit...rather a memory hungry app you have runing in the backroud

i also recommend to let windows manage VM as both of them recommend it coz thats the best IMO.

[Juppy]

Originally Posted by Phil

Look like schumi said, let windows handle it. Juppy, is your comp slowing down or something? because i doubt a paging file is the culprit...rather a memory hungry app you have runing in the backroud

Nah, its not slowing down or anything. As for misc applications in the background. I disabled most of them and I still run at around 700MB of memory usage. Are all Vista computers like that? :S

Anyway, thanks for the advice guys. Guess I will set it to default.

[SCHUMI-4-EVA]

Yes Vista loves chewing up memory.

[Juppy]

Oh ok, is there anyway to lower the consumption of memory by Vista?

[Phil]

Easy. Run Vista in Windows 95 mode

[Juppy]

lol. I think I rather let it stay the way it is now. :P

[P_RePTiLe]

When you are at, or above 512 MB of RAM - go with around 700 MB as paging file min and max.
Having it set that way, windows won't have to adjust it size all the time.

But if, _only if_, windows ever happen to complain about page-file-size after that (probably because you have to many processes and junk going on in your system if so) , let it go back to being controlled by windows.


- EDIT - Uhm, it was about vista i just realised *bites my own tail for missing that* - in that case my suggestion is not that certain since i won't go vista before ms forces me to in the future. - EDIT -

[Phil]

hey win 95 mode is sexy. what are you waiting for??