Post by thread:] XP virtual memory setting to zero ???

Just did 2 tests with and without VM. Both did not generate the "pagefile.sys" file, VM at 0 or at 748MB. For searching the file, I am doing a plain view on the root directory with hidden files shown, as well as searching through all hard-disks. SM > Easy to work out. The "virtual memory" is a file called pagefile.sys in the {Quote hidden}> root directory of the corresponding drive. It's system-hidden. See how big > it is/ if it's actually there, and then your question is answered. > > > > > Trying to put together a flash based XP system. So I am > > doing some testings on a harddisk system first before > > commiting cash on the flash. > > > > The advanced setting allow the virtual memory to set to zero > > when I disabled the drive for virtual memory purpose. But > > there is minimum allowed for virtual memory at 2MB. The > > system still work fine, this is a 256MB RAM system. > > > > I am not sure is the test useful, or the system required 2MB > > for virtual memory is forced even if the setting seems to set to zero. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

Further to my tests, I had found several references to "pagefile.sys", but so far I could not find it in the system under test nor in another w2k laptop I have accessed. Something interesting came out from the search: 1. A utility for checking the page file (not tested) - http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_pagefilemon.htm 2. Other info about virtual memory a. http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.php 3. usoft brief on virtual memory a. www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winntas/training/ntarchitectovi ew/ntarc_7.mspx b. msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dngenlib/ht ml/msdn_virtmm.asp c. www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.asp?url= /WINDOWSXP/home/using/productdoc/en/sysdm_advancd_perform_change_vmpagefile. asp In 3c, Microsoft strongly recommends that you do not disable or delete the paging file. As my test is no way going to be extensive, and providing the min. 2MB virtual memory also would not good to the flash. I would have to stick with harddisk. SM > Just did 2 tests with and without VM. Both did not generate the > "pagefile.sys" file, VM at 0 or at 748MB. For searching the file, I am > doing a plain view on the root directory with hidden files shown, as well as > searching through all hard-disks. > > SM > > > Easy to work out. The "virtual memory" is a file called pagefile.sys in > the > > root directory of the corresponding drive. It's system-hidden. See how big {Quote hidden}> > it is/ if it's actually there, and then your question is answered. > > > > > > > > Trying to put together a flash based XP system. So I am > > > doing some testings on a harddisk system first before > > > commiting cash on the flash. > > > > > > The advanced setting allow the virtual memory to set to zero > > > when I disabled the drive for virtual memory purpose. But > > > there is minimum allowed for virtual memory at 2MB. The > > > system still work fine, this is a 256MB RAM system. > > > > > > I am not sure is the test useful, or the system required 2MB > > > for virtual memory is forced even if the setting seems to set to zero. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

I have to step in and point out that Virtual Memory is exactly that, Virtual Ram. There is no magic about it. So you absolutely can calculate your memory budget when the O/S and all apps are loaded, configure your system to have that much RAM (plus a bit!), then disable the pagefile completely. Creating a ram disk to host a pagefile is not a good idea, since the system will incur unnecessary VM activity resolving page faults, and slow 'disk-IO' operations to the ramdisk. If you just give the Ramdisk-ram directly to the O/S, performance will be better. Of course embedded-XP is best, and a demo is freely downloadable. {Original Message removed}

Thanks. For this one, I am only offering harddisk which I think the client though wanting but would eventually choose to save for harddisk. From earlier tests, I still can't conclude on if the 2MB VM a hard imposition or not. SM Ling {Quote hidden}> I have to step in and point out that Virtual Memory is exactly that, > Virtual Ram. There is no magic about it. So you absolutely can calculate > your memory budget when the O/S and all apps are loaded, configure your > system to have that much RAM (plus a bit!), then disable the pagefile > completely. > > Creating a ram disk to host a pagefile is not a good idea, since the > system will incur unnecessary VM activity resolving page faults, and > slow 'disk-IO' operations to the ramdisk. If you just give the > Ramdisk-ram directly to the O/S, performance will be better. > > Of course embedded-XP is best, and a demo is freely downloadable. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList spam_OUTpiclist-unsubscribe-requestTakeThisOuTmitvma.mit.edu