Force memory use first

[Orion]

I read in an issue of a computer magazine (I don't remember if it was CPU or Maximum PC) about a registry hack that you could use to force the computer to use your memory to load the system and system files before it uses the page file. does anyone remember this? it was an issue that had an article with 50 or so (maybe more) hacks and things you could to to speed up your computer. I can't find the issue in my archives, so I must have misplaced it, and I can't find information on it in google or msn search.

Anyone know where I can find this hack? or have the issue and can tell me which one so I can reorder it? I know I have enough memory that it would most likely be ok, and I'd kind of like to test it out...not to mention there were several other hacks in that issue that I'm interested in.
Orion

[malcore]

Don't know about the magazine, but there are two tweaks you can try.

One is a registry value:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\Session Manager\Memory Management and set the following value DisablePagingExecutive=1

This supposedly will load the kernel into memory and not page it.


The other is adding a line to the system.ini file. Just below the [386enh] line add ConservativeSwapfileUsage=1

This supposedly forces windows to use more RAM before it uses the swapfile, but I find XP will always use the pagefile to some extent.

[pentachris]

I've heard the conservativeswapfileusage=1 tweak before. But I'm not sure it's all that it's cracked up to be.

What I mean to say is, I don't know if "[writing] out page file (swap file) buffers during periods of time when VFAT file system activity is not busy" equates to using the swap file before the RAM is full.

Here (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=223294).

[Orion]

well, I tried the pagefilexecutive one, and I currently am using NO pagefile. nice. of course, I may want to do a little trimming on my services and running apps, because I currently have 200 MB of memory left only, but hey, it's fast, I'll guarantee that. and no more hard drive clicking...it's almost silent, unless I access it directly...amazing...

thanks. I finally struck paydirt on the web site search, at winguides.com/registry. they have this and many more. if I can't find my mag, I guess I'll just use this site...
thanks!
Orion

[malcore]

Interesting link pentachris.

It may be true for win98 that this setting may not have a desired effect, but I can certainly attest to it having a dramatic effect in WinME. My pagefile is VERY rarely used anymore, and never goes above about 20MB when it is used. Has improved performance noticably.

I forgot to mention, the registry hack is for WinXP, and the system.ini edit is for win9X/ME systems.

[malcore]

Originally posted by Orion
of course, I may want to do a little trimming on my services and running apps, because I currently have 200 MB of memory left only

Yes, you may want to. If you have a Gig of ram and only have 200MB free, you definitely need to do some trimming.

I have a Gig in my XP Pro machine, have disabled the Paging Executive and use the Themes service to customize my desktop( mind you, all the extras are turned off in system properties>advanced>performance settings>visual effects except use visual styles).I only have about 12 services running in Task Manager. I still have about 820 MB to 850MB free physical memory.