The rule of thumb I've seen most is 1 1/2 times your real memory and to make min and max the same so windows doesn't spend time resizing it. But this is mostly with lower amounts of real memory. I think I've read 98/Me can't use more than 512mb virtual and with 512mb real you can't and don't need to follow the rule. I've got 256mb real and what I did is set it to let windows handle it. Then I opened and used a bunch of applications I normally use and watched the size of the swap file over time in windows explorer. Finally settled on 256mb max and min with 256mb real. 128mb may be low even with 512mb real. Are you having any particular problems? It largely depends on what you use your system for. Graphics apps are particularly memory hungry. The only relation to disk space is that you have it available.

The best rule of thumb is to let windows handle it. The more ram you have the less virtual memory you need.

http://www.aumha.org/a/memmgmt.htm

Jerry

Thanks Spike,

Your prompt response is very comprehensive and appreciated. I did not realize these settings could vary with Windows versions. I am using 98SE and perhaps my adjustment may be different than ME and other applications.

What got me interested in my VM setting was seeing an article about system cleaning with special emphasis on defragging. It mentioned disabling Virtual Memory before defrag so there is no swap file to ontend with and system defrag will be much quicker. Haven't tried it yet though.

This is when I noticed the 128 min and max settings and wondered if it was correct for my situation. I've had no real problems to speak of and recall someone mentioning that 128 is what it should. You're right, I do use graphic intensive programs, but this present setting was made back when I had less RAM. I have doubled that now from 256 to 512mb and thought this might might require a change in VM settings.

I am not in a desparate need to change but you know how one likes to tweak for best perfomance. I guess I've finally gotten hit by that bug too. I do appreciate your comments and perhaps it might be best to experiment then check it out on my actual programs to see if I can make a difference one way or the other. I'll try your 1 1/2 formula first.

Thanks again for taking time to respond,

Flyer

Dimension 4100 XPS-Z
P-III 933mhz
512MB PC133 RAM
Windows 98SE
Radeon VE 32
Sony CD-RW CRX140e
Samsung DVD-ROM SD-612
SB Live!

jwilljr

You must have posted while I was replying to Spike66 above and could not answer sooner. What you mentioned makes sense to me. I recall reading somewhere that back in the 32 and 64mb RAM days it was much more critical to adjust the VM settings properly if you chose not to allow Windows to handle it.

I checked out the link you provided and perused it rapidly before responding. Wow, it appears to contain everything anyone ever wanted to know about VM and feel sure I will find the answers contained in those pages. I will certainly save this to my favorites and perhaps help someone else should they have similar questions regarding Virtual Memory

I've learned some new things today from those more experienced, and want to thank you both for taking the time to do so. I don't visit the Dell forum often as I rarely have problems, but I know when I do, I shall find the answers needed. Today is no exception. Again, many thanks.

Flyer

Dimension 4100 XPS-Z
P-III 933mhz
512MB PC133 RAM
Windows 98SE
Radeon VE 32
Sony CD-RW CRX140e
Samsung DVD-ROM SD-612
SB Live!


Message Edited on 03/24/02 02:06PM by flyer09

I had just been about to post a new message when I read this thread. Today I got a message saying that Windows was about to increase the size of the virtual memory page file. I presume that this is OK (60GB hard disk), but I didn't think I was running that much at once. The message came up as my boyfriend was trying to open internet explorer while Windows was still loading everything up (antivirus, firewall etc.) and I thought it was maybe to do with that as it's the only time the computer doesn't work properly.