can you increase page file size to use more ram w/ win98?

[phecky]

After installing another 64M ram with win98 my monitoring tells me I never use more than 64 even though I have 128 available. Reading that win98 doesn't page more than 64, is there a way to increase this number? I've also added the conservative swap file=1 tweak to my sys.ini to decrease HDD activity thinking that windows will now use the extra ram instead. Although it doesn't appear to be using more than 64M ram, windows loads my apps. quicker after apllying the above tweak. thanks for the advice, I love this site. My hats off to you senior and ultimate members that are willing to spend a little time helping the "common" computer user.

[SoopaStar]

Are you refering to the Swap file siaze? You can set that up in the system applet int eh control panel. Goto performance and then virtual memory. Instead of having windows manage the swap file, I tell it to make the minimum at 200 megs and the mazimum at 500 megs. I also have it set to my d:\ drive which is a 7200 rpm 20.5 gb instead of my c:\ 5400 6.4 gb.

Paul
If thats not the same thing as the pagefile, then let me know..beucas eI have 256 megs ram and I want to use it to its fullest.

[phecky]

Soopastar
After reading a reference to the fact that Win doesn't page more that 64M ram I am assuming that this is different than swap file or virtual memory. Now as I said, it appears that Win98 isn't using more than 64M ram and I have a wasted stick of ram sitting in my box.

[Axel]

that doesn't sound quite right - win98 has a swap file - winnt and 2000 have page files - different words, same type of function.

in NT, I've set page files as high as a GB before - typically on systems that don't have enough RAM....., I think the ceiling is 4 GB for the page file - then it doesn't see any more at least in NT 4.0 server. I'm running NT 4.0 terminal server edition w/ SP5, so regular NT 4.0 might be different, but I doubt it.

[spapson]

This is how I view it:

Physical memory - the actual RAM chips

Paging file\swap file\virtual mem - hard disk area used as memory (name dependent on OS)

All forms of memory use the term "paging"
What you are asking (I think) about W98 is how much mem can it "address" or utilize.

When setting the page\swap\virtual mem settings remember the law of diminishing returns. A 1 GB swap file will probably slow your sys down rather than make it faster.

Generally W95/98/NT knows what's best - I always set my min and max size to the same number - example: min=150, max=150.

Having to continually resize causes sys overhead and I try to avoid it.
Use windows settings (RAM + 12) except for certain apps - like exchange, terminal or SQL server.

I notice that my 266 laptop with 144MB Ram runs quicker on NT (linear mem addressing)than with 98 (conventional & expanded mem).

I'm pretty sure that Win 95A could address 32 MB, Win95B was 64 (you could have more ram in the machine but the OS could only really use this amount) - does anyone know the limit for 98 - it sounds like 64.

Sorry for the ramble...

[phecky]

Spapson:
That's it, "What you are asking (I think) about W98 is how much mem can it "address" or utilize."

Yeah, it gets a little confusing when discussing memory. I tend to think of memory as actual physical chips or ram. I'm leaning towards Axel saying that it doesn't sound quite right about not paging more ram than 64M. I was always under the impression that if one had the ram than windows will use it and 128M is better than 64M. Perhaps I just don't multitask enough to notice it.

[boszot]

Win98 SE memory is dependent on the chipset. The old TX is max at 64megs, cause that was considered server class. Remember the $20per meg GOOD deals? A pair of 8meg 72pin simms for ONLY $160.

[fvay]

bzsot is right. TX chipset had problem with above 64 MB, but plecky if you are not using a TX motherboard it wouldnt matter. If you have 128MB abd windows is showing only 64MB problem is not even with the chipset, somewhere else. TX mobos did show more than 64 MB. they were even capbale to have more that 64, but just couldnt take advntage of it cauz TX chips cant cache more than 64 MB

[phecky]

I'm using a VA-503+ MB so the chipset isn't in question. Thanks for the replies. Just making sure my system is using ram to the fullest. The more multitasking I do the more ram is used. I was just surprised how little each program required when opened, of course as compared to yesteryear a "little" bit of ram is relative! As I've opened more programs I'm now seeing an increased ram usage ABOVE 64MB, although with plenty to spare.

[Unsecured Loner]

Here's a cool tip from the Microsoft Knowledge base, article #Q223294. Under the [386Enh] section of your system.ini file, add this line: ConservativeSwapfileUsage=1
Obviously, you'd want to back up your system.ini file first. I tried it, it worked like a charm, and seemed to speed up memory access on my Win98SE drive.

Thanks to Chris Pirillo at Lockergnome for this tip.

[socalgal]

http://epsilon.silicon.net.my/adrian/


Check out the "Swapfile Optimization Guide" and the "Speed Demonz Page"

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif