optimizing
performances *
> Handling Windows' Virtual Memory
What's the use of Virtual Mem?
Along the lines of limiting the disk cache, we will now proceed
to create an optimally sized, permanent swap file. By default, Windows
manages the swap file (a file on your hard drive used to simulate
RAM in the event it uses more than you have) much like the disk
cache. It expands the size of the swap file when more RAM is allocated
by programs and (supposedly) shrinks it back down when less RAM
is in demand.
Handling virtual memory this way is smart, however the problem comes
when the swap file starts to get fragmented and decreases performance
because of that. Our goal is to create a permanent, defragmented
swapfile. If you have a fast new Ultra DMA hard drive or a SCSI
setup, you probably won't need to worry about setting the Virtual
Memory settings yourself, but everyone else keep reading. Also,
if you have 16MB of RAM or less, it's probably better to let Windows
manage the memory.
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Procedure
1> The first thing to do is to disable virtual memory all
together. Right click on My Computer, select properties, go to the Performance
tab and click on "Virtual Memory ..." Click on "Let me specify my own
virtual memory settings" and then check the box marked "Disable virtual
memory (not recommended)." Restart.
2> After your system restarts into Windows, start up Disk Defragmenter.
Defragment your C drive (or whichever drive you wish to place you swap
file on to). If you are running Windows 98, be absolutely sure to uncheck
the box that says "Rearrange program files so my programs start faster"
within the "Settings..." dialog box.
3> Next, go back into the Virtual Memory settings. Uncheck the box
that says "Disable virtual memory (not recommended)." You'll want to
specify the same number for both the minimum and maximum settings
here. How much you set it to depends on how much RAM you have. A general
rule is about twice the amount of RAM you have in your system. So, if
you have 32MB RAM, set both the Minimum and Maximum to 64.
4> Restart.
If you get "Out of Memory" errors, go back into the virtual memory settings
and raise both the Minimum and Maximum values by 25% or so. Be sure to
follow steps 1-4 in doing that, as the whole purpose of a permanent swapfile
is to have one that's defragmented and doesn't cause more slowdown than
it's worth.
> Increasing Windows' stability
In order to prevent several blue screens and other "illegal operation"
error messages, you may want to install some vxd (virtual device drivers)
that are not installed originally in Windows.
Right-click on My Computer, then Properties. Select the Device Manager
tab; in this window, double-click on System peripherals. Now click on
every device and check the tab Driver\Details... If you can see C:\Windows\System\configmg.vxd,
you are using the proper driver. On the contrary C:\Windows\System\vmm32.vxd
proves that Windows uses a generic driver for that device and not a specific
driver.
To install these, use the SFC application. Click Start\Run... and type
sfc. In the window that appears, choose "Restore
a file from the installation disc" then follow the procedure below
for each vxd to be restored. There are seven of them: Vcomm.vxd
(COM ports driver); Vdd.vxd (video device
driver); Vflatd.vxd (video buffer virtual
driver); Vdmad.vxd (DMA controller driver);
Vmouse.vxd (mouse driver); Configmg.vxd
(motherboard configuration manager driver); Ntkern.vxd
(kernel driver).
1-Fill in the name of the vxd to restore.
2-Click Start and specify the source location (Cabs folder on
your hard drive or Windows CD ; CAB 50 for Windows 98 SE and CAB
45 for Windows 98 first version).
3-Put C:\Windows\System as target folder. Restart Windows and
check the Device Manager, the proper drivers are now used by Windows.
It is faster but also far more stable.
*
The Knights of Boot© disclaim any responsibility for any damage arising
as a result of the implementation of these instructions.
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