Defrag virtual memory

[AVGWarhawk]

I'm posting this here because most if not all on this forum are full of computer information and such. Furthermore, I can not find a good concise answer on the web. Concerning XP and defragging the NTFS, is defragging the virtual memory a good thing and neccessary? If so, how does one defrag the virtual memory?

[sqk7744]

Hey AVGWarhawk,

Grab a trial of Diskeeper Pro Premier, a great app:
www.diskeeper.com

1. Defrag all drives
2. Enable and run I-Faast
3. Run the boot-time defragmentation

---
my tune-up list is good to do to:

SH4 PC Tune-up Checklist

For Win XP Clients

Specs Check:
1)START --> MY COMPUTER (right click -PROPERTIES)
2)General Tab à Note CPU Speed and RAM, Service Pack 1 or 2
3)Check Available Hard drive Space

Optimization:

1)START --> MY COMPUTER (right click -PROPERTIES)
2)ADVANCED TAB à Performance – Settings à Visual Effects
a) [x]Adjust for best performance
b) Advanced tab à Processor Scheduling [x]Programs
c) Advanced tab -> Memory Usage [x]Programs


*** CHECK AVAILABLE HARDDRIVE SPACE BEFORE DOING THE FOLLOWING:
d) Advanced tab -> Virtual Memory à Change, [x]custom:
Init/Max =4096 MB -> click SET button
* Note: if you can, 6000/6000 works best for SH4

3)SYSTEM RESTORE- Slows performance but a good thing, -your call.

Change IE 5/6:
1)Tools -> Options à General -> Delete Cookies, Delete Files, Clear History.
2)Tools -> Options à Advanced -> Security, [x]Empty Temp. Internet Files on Exit.
3)Tools -> Options à Advanced-> Security, [x]Don’t save encrypted pages to disk
4)Tools -> Options à Advanced-> Browsing, [x]Uncheck Reuse Windows launching shortcuts

[Clean up]

In Start-up:
1) Remove ALL non-required Applications
- MS Office Toolbar Startup
- AOL, Real Player, Etc.

Msconfig: Startup
1) Realplayer Loader
2) Download Daemon
3) Any Un-Necessary Applications

Anti-Virus:
1) Update Virus files

MS Update:
1) Critical Updates, etc
2) MSOffice Updates

Maintenance:
1)Grab a trial copy of Diskeeper from http://www.diskeeper.com
2)Install and Run Defrag
3)Then set Set-it and Forget-it feature.

[TDK1044]

There is a command-line tool which is designed to do exactly that: It's called pagedefrag. When you run it, it will force a defrag on your page file the next time your machine is rebooted.

Look here:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...ageDefrag.mspx

[Misfit138]

Originally Posted by TDK1044

There is a command-line tool which is designed to do exactly that: It's called pagedefrag. When you run it, it will force a defrag on your page file the next time your machine is rebooted.

Look here:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...ageDefrag.mspx

Yeah, everytime I try to run it I get message "Make sure that you are an administrator. Error loading PageDefrag driver."

And yes, I have tried to run it as an administrator but it's a no-go. Not compatible with Windows XP 64-bit edition..? Geez, haven't had that one before

[sqk7744]

Originally Posted by Misfit138

Yeah, everytime I try to run it I get message "Make sure that you are an administrator. Error loading PageDefrag driver."

And yes, I have tried to run it as an administrator no it's a no-go. Not compatible with Windows XP 64-bit edition..? Geez, haven't had that one before

figures...

[AVGWarhawk]

Thanks gents. I will give these a try. Does it really help at all to do this?

[sqk7744]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Thanks gents. I will give these a try. Does it really help at all to do this?

Yes! but first, at the absolute minimum, change the Virtual memory to 4096 min and 4096 max.
(Diskkeeper is a great Application -I've been using it for 3+ years to aid the tuning of my Flightsim PC)

6000 (6gb) min max if you have the space ( you can also enable this on more than one (internal) drive too.

C:\
D:\ (HD #2 not partition#2)

[AVGWarhawk]

Good deal! Thanks for the responses. I have installed a modded BIOS to do some extra tweaks and such. My computer is flying darn good now. I was wondering about this memory.

[AVGWarhawk]

I have read that disabling virtual memory, rebooting then defragging with the installed windows program will also defrag the page file. Then enable virtual memory when done, reboot. Is there any truth to this?

[sqk7744]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

I have read that disabling virtual memory, rebooting then defragging with the installed windows program will also defrag the page file. Then enable virtual memory when done, reboot. Is there any truth to this?

I leave that one up to others.

Resetting the VM to max for both keeps it from thinking about it ( only watchout for applications that have a set Scratch Disk like Adobe Premiere or Illustrator etc)

Best bet is to reset VM, reboot, then install the diskkeeper trial.

Do the defrags, and set I-Faast (optimizes frequently used applications) then do a Boot-time defrag: Paging file, Master File Table and CHKDSK util. Viewing the screen/report after defrag is optional, but might be interesting.

Cheers

[PepsiCan]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

I have read that disabling virtual memory, rebooting then defragging with the installed windows program will also defrag the page file. Then enable virtual memory when done, reboot. Is there any truth to this?

Yes.

Virtual memory is nothing more than an area on the harddrive that is reserved to 'park' software or data currently running in RAM that does not need to be used right now but has been used recently or will be used in the near future.

If you set your virtual memory to 0 then there is no page file on the disk. So, it effectively deletes it. But with NTFS formatting you shouldn't have to defrag your disks as often as with FAT anyways. I also suspect that Windows deletes the page file anyways when you shut it down.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by PepsiCan

Yes.

Virtual memory is nothing more than an area on the harddrive that is reserved to 'park' software or data currently running in RAM that does not need to be used right now but has been used recently or will be used in the near future.

If you set your virtual memory to 0 then there is no page file on the disk. So, it effectively deletes it. But with NTFS formatting you shouldn't have to defrag your disks as often as with FAT anyways. I also suspect that Windows deletes the page file anyways when you shut it down.

These are the things I'm wondering. I have it set up as a NTFS system. I defrag about once every two weeks as my daughters load up Barbie games and things off the internet etc. Sponge Bob games can slow things down At any rate, if I disable VM and defrag, effectively I clean up VM and start fresh?

I have basically the same system as you with exception of 2 gig DD400 and X1300 XGE 512mb vidcard. How does your system handle SH4?

[Canonicus]

Originally Posted by TDK1044

There is a command-line tool which is designed to do exactly that: It's called pagedefrag. When you run it, it will force a defrag on your page file the next time your machine is rebooted.

Look here:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...ageDefrag.mspx

Thanks for the heads-up on this app,mate...very handy!

It works without a hitch with Vista 32bit ,...BTW.

[Iron Budokan]

Lol, my little boys play Sponge Bob on the computer, too!

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Iron Budokan

Lol, my little boys play Sponge Bob on the computer, too!

Nothing like a few grand so you kids can play Barbie or Sponge Bob. Heck, I'm the TV Pong generation. No cable TV..did not exist. Three channels only. Cartoons only shown on Saturday morning.