Windows 2000 Paging File optimization

The memory configuration of the mainstream computer has now been upgraded to 128MB, but 128MB is far from enough for a large Windows operating system and more powerful software that consumes more and more of the system's memory resources. The paging file that Windows uses (the equivalent of what we often say about virtual memory) can be useful. It sets a portion of the hard disk space to virtual memory, thereby expanding the computer's available "memory" space to meet the operational requirements of the program. Although due to hard disk reading, transmission rate and so much less than the rate of memory, it is easy to reduce the system efficiency and system response delay, but compared to spend a lot of money to buy hardware to improve system performance, this time and efficiency in exchange for performance is very good.

From Windows 3. X to Windows 9X, the use of virtual memory technology is becoming more sophisticated, often using Win386 in the Windows installation directory. SWP this swap file to create virtual memory. Today's Windows 2000 uses a paging file to create virtual memory, which is the pagefile of the installation logical packing directory. SYS file. It works roughly the same as the swap file under Windows 9X, which is used to create virtual memory when the program is running out of storage space. In general, we use the system by default to let the Windows operating system to manage virtual memory, although this is convenient, but Microsoft in order to compatible with the vast number of computer configuration, the management of its own settings are often conservative, so its efficiency is often not satisfactory. Advanced users typically optimize the virtual memory management of Windows (such as the size, location, etc. of the swap file themselves) to maximize productivity. It has been proved that the proper implementation of virtual memory management optimization can improve the performance of the system, Windows 9X is the case, Windows 2000. The key to optimization is the important "part" of virtual memory management-the paging file (the swap file). Next, let's explore some of the optimizations for the Windows 2000 paging file.

Administrative items about the paging file in Windows 2000 in Control Panel, select the System icon after you go to Control Panel, and then select Change in Advanced/performance options to enter the settings page for virtual memory as shown. The page shows the current system settings of the paging file size, location, disk free space and Microsoft's recommended settings, and so on, we combine the page file properties to talk about the specific settings of optimization.

One, the size of the paging file

For the size of the paging file set in the system, Microsoft's proposal is the minimum page file (the initial size in the above), should be the current system memory capacity plus 12MB (RAM+12MB), if the computer system has 256MB memory, the paging file minimum value is set to 268MB, This allows the operating system to copy all of the content in memory to the hard disk before it crashes or freezes. For those users with a system memory size of less than 256MB, it is recommended that the minimum value for the paging file be larger and greater than the amount of memory plus 12MB: ① Those computer users who use 128MB or less memory should have 1 of the current system memory capacity. 75 times times the minimum value set to the paging file; ② those with memory capacity between 128MB and 256MB can have 1 of the current system capacity. 5 times times the minimum value set to the paging file. Of course, setting the minimum page file size to be larger than these theoretical values will have little effect on the entire system's operation, and should be better, and the only loss may be the corresponding reduction in the available space on the hard disk. The author's suggestion is that the general user usually does not need to follow Microsoft's recommended values to set, because after all, Windows 2000 system crashes are significantly less than the Windows 9X, and even if the system crashes, the general work is not important to the extent of the total preservation, Therefore, when the paging file is set, as long as the size is not less than 3/4 of the system memory, you can ensure that the system is relatively stable and fast operation. But if the user's hard disk space is really very tight, then the paging file minimum value should also be at least as much as your memory capacity of 1/2, less than this number, it will be possible to regularly cause system crashes (panic) phenomenon occurs.

As for the maximum size of the paging file, it should be set as large as possible, and it is usually recommended to set it to 2 to 3 times times the minimum value. The user does not have to care about its specific set value. Windows 2000 is "smarter" than the Win9x system's paging file management, and its paging files can be set dynamically. It automatically expands the size of the page only when the system needs it, so that the paging file takes up too much hard disk space and ensures that errors are avoided in complex operations due to insufficient memory. (Programming Entry Network)

Second, the page file storage location

Windows 2000 allows the user to improve the performance of the system by distributing the paging file to different physical hard disks (note the hard disk rather than the partition). Theoretically it is feasible to do so, but note that due to the various hard drives may exist in the search time, transmission speed and other aspects of the difference between the performance of the system, so should try to choose the fastest hard disk, as the page file storage. Also note that while Windows 2000 also supports the creation of paging files on multiple partitions on the same hard disk, this does not improve the performance of the system, but will significantly reduce the efficiency of the entire system, because when the operating system needs to read and write the paging file, If the content that needs to be read is not in the same partition's paging file, the hard disk head will frequently move between the partitions, which will greatly reduce the system's operational efficiency. From the actual use of the effect, it would be better to put the paging file into a partition only to the good, therefore, the author suggests that users with multiple hard disks should consider some of the following: ① the speed difference between the hard disk is not large, you can distribute the paging file to the hard drive; ② the speed difference between multiple hard drives, The paging file should be stored as much as possible to another fast (or multiple) hard drive. For a single hard drive user, if the hard disk free space is allowed, you should try to set the location of the paging file in the same partition.

Third, the continuity of the page file

The continuity of the paging file does not show up in the relevant settings of Windows 2000, but I think it is necessary to "carry" it out and talk about it alone. The continuous paging file is much more productive than the discontinuity, the reasons for this and the above mentioned not to set the page file on the same hard disk multiple partitions of the truth is the same, but also in the hard disk head movement problem, the discontinuous paging file will also lead to the system in the use of virtual memory hard disk head frequently in the discontinuous fan range " Jump "move, so should try to ensure that the paging file continuously. You can run the Disk Defragmenter from Windows 2000 and select the Analysis feature to view the page file's location on your hard disk, where the "green" area (the System file) is the location of the paging file. Some users may be skeptical about the discontinuity of the paging file, so try the following: If the user is a dual operating system, you can go to Windows 9X and pagefile the Windows 2000 paging file. SYS cut to another partition or hard disk, and then paste it back in immediately, reboot the system to Windows 2000, run Disk Defragmenter "analysis, the green area will be divided into a large and small number of different areas, the paging file at this time is fragmented."

Although Windows 2000 provides Disk Defragmenter that is much easier to use than Windows 9X, it cannot be collated for discrete paging files. To defragment a page file, you need third-party tools such as Perfect Disk 2000 and Norton SystemWorks 2001 (Norton) Speed disk. In addition, if the user does not have these tools and the paging file partition or hard disk is not NTFS format, you can refer to the test page file is not continuous operation method. First from the dual operating system into the Windows 9X, and then cut the paging file to other partitions or hard disk, and then use the disk finishing tools under Windows 9X to the appropriate partition or hard disk collation, and so on after finishing the page file pasted back again, you can guarantee the continuity of the page file.