Optimal XP Pro Swap File Size?

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Optimal XP Pro Swap File Size?

 

No, it applies post W2k as well.

 

"jorgen" <na@invalid> wrote in message

news:OUUjT1acIHA.1168@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> R. McCarty wrote:

>

>> Even if you turn off the pagefile, XP will create a temporary one in

>> C:\Windows\System32 as TempPF.Sys

>

> I think that only goes for Windows 2000 and earlier

>

> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/257758

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Optimal XP Pro Swap File Size?

 

Large data bases come to mind.

 

"Uncle Grumpy" <unclegrumpy@comcast.net> wrote in message

news:33chr3daelsefj79cu0ar5o8lic404u52e@4ax.com...

> "Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote:

>

>>The proper setting for Virtual Memory in Windows XP - in my opinion - is

>>"System Managed"...

>

> Then why is the alternative method offered?

[Guest Uncle Grumpy]

Re: Optimal XP Pro Swap File Size?

 

"Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote:

>Tom wrote:

>> Hi, what is the recommended swap file size for PCs running XP pro,

>> 70GB- 80GB HDD, when one PC has 512MB RAM installed and the other

>> has 2GB RAM installed? Shoud XP determine the swap file size?

>

>Shenan Stanley wrote:

>> The proper setting for Virtual Memory in Windows XP - in my

>> opinion - is "System Managed"...

>

>Uncle Grumpy wrote:

>> Then why is the alternative method offered?

>

>How is your question relevant to my given answer?

 

WHO CARES?

 

I was trying to get you to expand on your pompous "in my opinion"

reply.

[Guest Uncle Grumpy]

Re: Optimal XP Pro Swap File Size?

 

"Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote:

>Large data bases come to mind.

 

Ever hear of the advantages to NOT being a top poster?

[Guest Uncle Grumpy]

Re: Optimal XP Pro Swap File Size?

 

"R. McCarty" <PcEngWork-NoSpam_@mindspring.com> wrote:

>Not everybody has technical understanding of computers. The

>link was just so anyone interested could get a little background

>info. 2nd only to "Registry Cleaners", Pagefile questions usually

>startup a long running thread. With the kinds of RAM that PCs

>have installed these days it's no longer a major concern.

>

>Here's a better explanation ( MS KB article ):

>http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;555223&SD=tech

>

>"Uncle Grumpy" <unclegrumpy@comcast.net> wrote in message

>news:d0chr3dmt1h83h5q2nom7it1ruocp9m7ob@4ax.com...

>> "R. McCarty" <PcEngWork-NoSpam_@mindspring.com> wrote:

>>

>>>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_memory

>>

>> wikipedia is a shaky source for authoritative techy (or any other)

>> info.

>

 

Stop top posting, idjut

[Guest Shenan Stanley]

Re: Optimal XP Pro Swap File Size?

 

Tom wrote:

> Hi, what is the recommended swap file size for PCs running XP pro,

> 70GB- 80GB HDD, when one PC has 512MB RAM installed and the other

> has 2GB RAM installed? Shoud XP determine the swap file size?

 

Shenan Stanley wrote:

> The proper setting for Virtual Memory in Windows XP - in my

> opinion - is "System Managed"...

 

Uncle Grumpy wrote:

> Then why is the alternative method offered?

 

Shenan Stanley wrote:

> How is your question relevant to my given answer?

>

> When I stated "in my opinion", that means that is what _I think_

> the OP should do, what _I think_ is the best setting/option. I did

> not say, "There should be no other choice." I stated what I

> believed to be the best answer for the majority of the people, the

> OP included given the information we have at hand.

>

> To answer your question - I think it is there because it was always

> there and so that tweakers have something to do and perhaps - just

> perhaps - in certain settings/situations one might need to change

> it.

 

Uncle Grumpy wrote:

> WHO CARES?

>

> I was trying to get you to expand on your pompous "in my opinion"

> reply.

 

Please - expand on why it was pompous to state my opinion?

 

Also note - I have included everything you chose to leave out of my reply -

although you claim to have been trying to get me to expand on my reply...

You must have cared - or you were forced to reply... ;-)

 

--

Shenan Stanley

MS-MVP

--

How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

[Guest jorgen]

Re: Optimal XP Pro Swap File Size?

 

Colin Barnhorst wrote:

> No, it applies post W2k as well.

>

 

So where is it? I don't have any temppf on my xp, as i can see. The

article also says it "may" be created. I'm guessing it is creating a

temporary one to make sure there is enough memory for the user to go in

and setup a correct configuration

[Guest Shenan Stanley]

Re: Optimal XP Pro Swap File Size?

 

<snipped>

See entire conversation:

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/browse_frm/thread/a0982c7479aad54e/952234921ab9b600#952234921ab9b600

 

 

 

R. McCarty wrote:

<snipped>

> Even if you turn off the pagefile, XP will create a temporary one

> in C:\Windows\System32 as TempPF.Sys

<snipped>

 

jorgen wrote:

> I think that only goes for Windows 2000 and earlier

>

> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/257758

 

Colin Barnhorst wrote:

> No, it applies post W2k as well.

 

jorgen wrote:

> So where is it? I don't have any temppf on my xp, as i can see. The

> article also says it "may" be created. I'm guessing it is creating a

> temporary one to make sure there is enough memory for the user to

> go in and setup a correct configuration

 

 

No reason to 'guess". ;-)

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/257758

The article in question - as you began to deduce - states:

 

"... a temporary paging file (Temppf.sys) may be created, and you may

receive the following error message after you log on:

Limited Virtual Memory

Your system is running without a properly sized paging file. Please use the

virtual memory option of the System applet in the Control Panel to create a

paging file, or to increase the initial size of your paging file."

 

If you have not seen that message, you won't have a "Temppf.sys" file...

 

The "More Information" part of the article explains this whole process in

better detail...

 

"The error message listed earlier in this article can occur when the initial

paging file size is reduced to an amount considerably smaller than the

recommended amount. Windows recognizes that the paging file size is

insufficient and creates a temporary paging file of up to 20 megabytes in

the Winnt\System32 folder. The System dialog box in Control Panel is then

displayed, forcing you to address the paging file problem.

 

When the free hard disk space on your computer is 30 megabytes or less,

issues can occur when you try to correct the insufficient paging file size.

The combination of the insufficient paging file size and the temporary

paging file size can easily use all of the available free hard disk space.

This does not leave enough free space to create a paging file large enough

to eliminate the need for the temporary paging file.

 

The only way to free the disk space that is used by the temporary paging

file is to create an appropriately-sized paging file. When it is no longer

needed, the temporary paging file is deleted the next time you start your

computer, and the disk space is then freed."

 

--

Shenan Stanley

MS-MVP

--

How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

[Guest Uncle Grumpy]

Re: Optimal XP Pro Swap File Size?

 

"Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote:

>Uncle Grumpy wrote:

>> WHO CARES?

>>

>> I was trying to get you to expand on your pompous "in my opinion"

>> reply.

>

>Please - expand on why it was pompous to state my opinion?

 

It's "pompous" (and I am guilty of posting pompous IMO replies) when

you don't tell folks WHY you hold such an opinion.

 

It's as if you expect them to come back and query the "oracle".

[Guest Shenan Stanley]

Re: Optimal XP Pro Swap File Size?

 

Tom wrote:

> Hi, what is the recommended swap file size for PCs running XP pro,

> 70GB- 80GB HDD, when one PC has 512MB RAM installed and the other

> has 2GB RAM installed? Shoud XP determine the swap file size?

 

Shenan Stanley wrote:

> The proper setting for Virtual Memory in Windows XP - in my

> opinion - is "System Managed"...

 

Uncle Grumpy wrote:

> Then why is the alternative method offered?

 

Shenan Stanley wrote:

> How is your question relevant to my given answer?

>

> When I stated "in my opinion", that means that is what _I think_

> the OP should do, what _I think_ is the best setting/option. I did

> not say, "There should be no other choice." I stated what I

> believed to be the best answer for the majority of the people, the

> OP included given the information we have at hand.

>

> To answer your question - I think it is there because it was always

> there and so that tweakers have something to do and perhaps - just

> perhaps - in certain settings/situations one might need to change

> it.

 

Uncle Grumpy wrote:

> WHO CARES?

>

> I was trying to get you to expand on your pompous "in my opinion"

> reply.

 

Shenan Stanley wrote:

> Please - expand on why it was pompous to state my opinion?

>

> Also note - I have included everything you chose to leave out of my

> reply - although you claim to have been trying to get me to expand

> on my reply... You must have cared - or you were forced to reply...

> ;-)

 

Uncle Grumpy wrote:

> It's "pompous" (and I am guilty of posting pompous IMO replies) when

> you don't tell folks WHY you hold such an opinion.

>

> It's as if you expect them to come back and query the "oracle".

 

 

If I had stated, "The best setting is, without a doubt, System Managed." <-

that would be pompous. I stated that what I was saying was merely my

opinion. I didn't expect a return answer, I was just stating *my opinion*

on the matter at hand which has been discussed extensively in the thread

already. I saw no need to heighten the discussion which pretty well covered

the different possibilities...

 

See entire conversation:

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/browse_frm/thread/a0982c7479aad54e/952234921ab9b600#952234921ab9b600

 

The OP asked, "Should XP determine the swap file size?" and I answered by

giving my opinion. If the OP had asked, "Should XP determine the swap file

size and why?", I would have given more.

 

If you consider my answer pompous - well - I guess that is *your opinion*.

;-)

 

--

Shenan Stanley

MS-MVP

--

How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

[Guest Tom]

Re: Optimal XP Pro Swap File Size?

 

 

"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

news:oougr3djekamsv7u3h0ght08ekaj4ek689@4ax.com...

> On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 14:13:48 GMT, "Tom" <yahoo@earthlink.com> wrote:

>

>> Hi, what is the recommended swap file size for PCs running XP pro, 70GB-

>> 80GB HDD, when one PC has 512MB RAM installed and the other has 2GB RAM

>> installed?

>

>

> This is *not* the same for everyone with the same amount of RAM. The

> most significant criteria for determining the page file size needed

> are what apps you run, and how much you run simultaneously. The more

> you have running, the more total virtual memory (RAM plus page file)

> you need to accommodate it.

> Windows default accomplishes nothing but saving a small amount of disk

> space. Although that used to be a valuable thing to do, in these days

> of very inexpensive large disk drives, the value of doing that is

> insignificant, and most people should just accept the Windows default.

 

I typically keep thirty IE6 windows open, excel w/at least one 500k

spreadsheet, Outlook, maybe Word, maybe SmarTerm.

 

Tom

[Guest Tom]

Re: Optimal XP Pro Swap File Size?

 

 

"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

news:oougr3djekamsv7u3h0ght08ekaj4ek689@4ax.com...

> On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 14:13:48 GMT, "Tom" <yahoo@earthlink.com> wrote:

>

>> Hi, what is the recommended swap file size for PCs running XP pro, 70GB-

>> 80GB HDD, when one PC has 512MB RAM installed and the other has 2GB RAM

>> installed?

>

>

> This is *not* the same for everyone with the same amount of RAM. The

> most significant criteria for determining the page file size needed

> are what apps you run, and how much you run simultaneously. The more

> you have running, the more total virtual memory (RAM plus page file)

> you need to accommodate it.

>

> Beware of advice to make it some factor of the amount of RAM you have;

> that's only significant with respect to dumps, and most people have no

> need of dumps.

 

At least temporarily I need to open a 5GB file occasionally until we can get

the file sixe reduced.

[Guest olfart]

Re: Optimal XP Pro Swap File Size?

 

 

"Tom" <yahoo@earthlink.com> wrote in message

news:67huj.24122$s33.115@trndny06...

>

> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

> news:oougr3djekamsv7u3h0ght08ekaj4ek689@4ax.com...

>> On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 14:13:48 GMT, "Tom" <yahoo@earthlink.com> wrote:

>>

>>> Hi, what is the recommended swap file size for PCs running XP pro, 70GB-

>>> 80GB HDD, when one PC has 512MB RAM installed and the other has 2GB RAM

>>> installed?

>>

>>

>> This is *not* the same for everyone with the same amount of RAM. The

>> most significant criteria for determining the page file size needed

>> are what apps you run, and how much you run simultaneously. The more

>> you have running, the more total virtual memory (RAM plus page file)

>> you need to accommodate it.

>>

>> Beware of advice to make it some factor of the amount of RAM you have;

>> that's only significant with respect to dumps, and most people have no

>> need of dumps.

>

> At least temporarily I need to open a 5GB file occasionally until we can

> get the file sixe reduced.

>

>

5 GB is ALOT of porn. Trying breaking it down into folders like:

18-30

31-50

50-75

over 75

etc

[Guest Karl Snooks]

Re: Optimal XP Pro Swap File Size?

 

Gumpy,

I write this because I too was once and for many years truly just as much a

smart alec as you. I made others angry, brought dislike and disdain upon

myself needlessly. In my case, a traumatic and dramatic event helped me to

rejoin and become a friend rather than a fighting foe of the human race. By

sticking to the facts and avoiding expressing opinions (as I'm now doing),

you will make your glide through life and the life of others much more

pleasant. This is my one and only message addressed to you on this matter.

I will not become involved in a diatribe.

 

Sincerely written from a once "Grumpy Uncle",

karl snooks

 

"Uncle Grumpy" <unclegrumpy@comcast.net> wrote in message

news:gcehr35bqeh3ic0ej3srtn1abpfev3gp7p@4ax.com...

> "Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote:

>

>>Tom wrote:

>>> Hi, what is the recommended swap file size for PCs running XP pro,

>>> 70GB- 80GB HDD, when one PC has 512MB RAM installed and the other

>>> has 2GB RAM installed? Shoud XP determine the swap file size?

>>

>>Shenan Stanley wrote:

>>> The proper setting for Virtual Memory in Windows XP - in my

>>> opinion - is "System Managed"...

>>

>>Uncle Grumpy wrote:

>>> Then why is the alternative method offered?

>>

>>How is your question relevant to my given answer?

>

> WHO CARES?

>

> I was trying to get you to expand on your pompous "in my opinion"

> reply.

[Guest Tom]

Re: Optimal XP Pro Swap File Size?

 

 

"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

news:oougr3djekamsv7u3h0ght08ekaj4ek689@4ax.com...

> On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 14:13:48 GMT, "Tom" <yahoo@earthlink.com> wrote:

>

>> Hi, what is the recommended swap file size for PCs running XP pro, 70GB-

>> 80GB HDD, when one PC has 512MB RAM installed and the other has 2GB RAM

>> installed?

>

>

> This is *not* the same for everyone with the same amount of RAM. The

> most significant criteria for determining the page file size needed

> are what apps you run, and how much you run simultaneously. The more

> you have running, the more total virtual memory (RAM plus page file)

> you need to accommodate it.

>

> Beware of advice to make it some factor of the amount of RAM you have;

> that's only significant with respect to dumps, and most people have no

> need of dumps.

>

> Contrary to the usual advice, the more RAM you have, the *less* page

> file you need (since the page file substitutes for RAM when you don't

> have enough).

>

>

>> Shoud XP determine the swap file size?

>

>

> Despite everything I said above, making the page file smaller than the

> Windows default accomplishes nothing but saving a small amount of disk

> space. Although that used to be a valuable thing to do, in these days

> of very inexpensive large disk drives, the value of doing that is

> insignificant, and most people should just accept the Windows default.

>

> --

> Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

> Please Reply to the Newsgroup

 

I keep a lot open eg, 40+ web pages, excel spreadsheet(s), SmarTerm session,

word doc(s) and even need to open, at times, a 5GB file which I'm reducing

in size. I do remeber from WFWGRPS that making the swap too large wasn't a

good idea because it'll cause the HDD drive spend a lot of time searching,

but that was the era of slow HDDs.