Re: Hard drive space slowly shrinking :(

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From: Vernon Wankerl (wankerl_at_attglobal.net)
Date: Fri Apr 06 2001 - 10:33:18 EDT

If you let Windows control the Virtual Memory, you can count on the SWP
file to be somewhat uncontrolled. If you allow disk space to be used up
so Windows doesn't have enough for its Virtual Memory when it wants it,
strange behavior occurs. What I did was to setup a separate partition
of sized about 2x my RAM size and then configure Windows to use this
space for its Virtual Memory. This allows Windows to have its memory
and I don't have to be concerned about using up disk space that Windows
wants. The configuring of Windows is done in the System Properties
under the Performance Tab. Click on the Virtual Memory button. Select
"Let me specify my own virtual memory settings." Then specify the Hard
Disk letter, minimum and maximum sizes.
I set minimum and maximum to 2x my RAM size. This will allocate all the
partition to Windows and reduce the work Windows does in allocating
Virtual Memory. Some have noted performance gains by doing this. I
haven't measured the effects other than the elimination of problems when
I run out of disk space but Windows needs more for Virtual Memory.

Doug Martell wrote:
>
> Good morning,
>
> I have a i1452 Thinkpad / win98 / with a 4.5 Gig drive split into C: of
> 2 Gigs and D: having the remaining 2.5 Gigs. I have tried to keep at
> least 100 Megs of free space on the C drive to keep the system from
> bogging down. Over the last several months its been shrinking in spite
> of my cleanup attempts ... to the point that there is only 38 Megs
> available post startup. I've noticed there is a very sizable win386.swp
> file which is growing in size. About a month ago it was around 49 Megs
> and today it's at 70 Megs.
>
> Does this sound like its could be virus related and if so what should I
> do to salvage the thinkpad?
>
> Is there a way to reduce the size of this swp file without compromising
> the stability or ability of the computer?
>
> Doug - Laidback We "R" Inc.
>
> **************************************************************
>
> Douglas Martell - Laidback We "R" Inc.
> PO Box 271----151 Lochside Rd
> Arichat NS B0E 1A0 Canada
> Phone: (902)-226-3092 , Fax. 226-0066
> e-mail: doug_at_laptop-laidback.com
> http://www.laptop-laidback.com
>
> **************************************************************

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