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Max performace settings (swap/cache) with 256/512 mb ram?



 
 
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  #21  
Old October 24th 04, 05:52 PM
Buffalo
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"98 Guy" wrote in message ...
"Richard G. Harper" wrote:

The default Windows settings, unless you experience problems.


I find it hard to believe that the default settings are the most
efficient when you have 256 or 512 mb ram.

I say this because when 98 came out, the typical pc had 16mb of ram
and 32 or 64 mb of ram was seen as the outer limits.

So my perception is that given 10 to 20 times the amount of ram, there
must be optimizations that can be made over the default settings.


Here are some very informative and useful links:
These are from a post by Jim Eschelman:

" I have a series of optimization articles that
might be a good start. May I recommend these?

Computer Health
http://aumha.org/win4/a/health.htm

Win98 & Win ME Memory Management
http://aumha.org/win4/a/memmgmt.htm

Startup Program Loading
http://aumha.org/win4/a/loads.htm

Partition Planning
http://aumha.org/win4/a/parts.htm

Do You Have Parasites?
http://aumha.org/a/noads.htm

System Resources FAQ
http://aumha.org/win4/a/resource.htm


--
Jim Eshelman
MS-MVP, Windows Shell/User
http://aumha.org/
http://WinSupportCenter.com/ "

I hope these links help clear things up for you.
Buffalo


  #22  
Old October 24th 04, 05:59 PM
Ron Badour
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Because some programs will not run without a swap file. There is no need to
tinker with it--there is no performance hit unless actual paging occurs and
for most users with 512 mb, the swap file will not be used even though it
exists. The performance tweaks that have existed for years are really
somewhat useless as they were developed when computers were under powered
(ram and CPU).

There are some tweaks required when 768 mb or more of ram is being used.
Here's some info on ram you might find helpful:

768 mb or more of ram:

"Out of Memory" Errors with Large Amounts of RAM Installed 253912
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=253912

This article contains instructions which basically say: add this line in
system.ini, under [vcache]: MaxFileCache=512000
***************************

1 gb or more of ram:

Error Message: Insufficient Memory to Initialize Windows 184447
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=184447
***************************

1.5 gb or more of ram:

Computer May Reboot Continuously with More Than 1.5 GB of RAM 304943
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=304943

--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

"98 Guy" wrote in message ...
98 Guy wrote:

I say this because when 98 came out, the typical pc had 16mb of
ram and 32 or 64 mb of ram was seen as the outer limits.

So my perception is that given 10 to 20 times the amount of ram,
there must be optimizations that can be made over the default
settings.


For example, if I have 512 mb of ram, why do I want *ANY* swap file?

Don't I instead want to increase my vcache size?



  #23  
Old October 24th 04, 06:15 PM
98 Guy
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Buffalo wrote:

1) In your System.ini file put in MaxFileCache= 70% of physical
ram under the [vcache] header.
ie: 256MB x 70% = 179200 so MaxFileCache=179200
ie: 512MB x 70% = 469763 so MaxFileCache=469763


Vcache - this is a hard drive virtual cache - right?

Which means data that is written to or read from the drive is cached
transiently by Vcache.

Tell me - is the single largest cache-able item the swap file?

If you were limited to caching only 1 item - would the swap file be
it?

What is the purpose of the swap file anyways? Is the swap file the
place where virtual memory is stored?

If so, then if I have 512 mb of ram, why on earth do I STILL want
virtual memory? Don't I have enough freeking REAL memory?

And if I DON'T need or want virtual memory, then I don't have so much
hammering of the Vcache because (presumably) there is NO swap file
(?!).

Again, back in the "old days" when I might have had a PC with 32 mb of
ram (maybe 4 of that used by vcache?) and maybe 128 mb virtual memory
(all of which is stored _AS_ the swap file - yes?) then, what - I
theoretically have a PC with 32+128=160 mb of memory?

So now if I have 512 mb of REAL memory, then why on earth do I still
need virtual memory (and the swap file that goes with it) ???

Wouldn't win-98 run faster if it didn't have to manage virtual memory
and the swap file???

The other items you mentioned are not even modified unless you
run pure DOS games or pure DOS programs.
Windows98 does not need an AutoExec.bat or Config.sys file to
run Windows.


But doesn't win-98 still load (or need) himem.sys even if you don't
have an actual config.sys?

What about emm386?

My current emm386 line is:

DEVICE=C:\WIN98\EMM386.exe NOEMS D=64 A=15 VERBOSE

Are you saying that EMM386 is irrelavent to the operation of Windows
98, regardless of the command-line options used?

PS:

What about the use of WinAlign to "align" all executable code
(microsoft and non-microsoft) that can be aligned safely as a way to
increase performance? I don't hear too much about that. Is there a
master list of third-party software that has been shown to be
"align-able"?
  #24  
Old October 24th 04, 06:15 PM posted to microsoft.public.win98.performance,microsoft.public.win98.setup,alt.windows98
98 Guy
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 2,951
Default Max performace settings (swap/cache) with 256/512 mb ram?

Buffalo wrote:

1) In your System.ini file put in MaxFileCache= 70% of physical
ram under the [vcache] header.
ie: 256MB x 70% = 179200 so MaxFileCache=179200
ie: 512MB x 70% = 469763 so MaxFileCache=469763


Vcache - this is a hard drive virtual cache - right?

Which means data that is written to or read from the drive is cached
transiently by Vcache.

Tell me - is the single largest cache-able item the swap file?

If you were limited to caching only 1 item - would the swap file be
it?

What is the purpose of the swap file anyways? Is the swap file the
place where virtual memory is stored?

If so, then if I have 512 mb of ram, why on earth do I STILL want
virtual memory? Don't I have enough freeking REAL memory?

And if I DON'T need or want virtual memory, then I don't have so much
hammering of the Vcache because (presumably) there is NO swap file
(?!).

Again, back in the "old days" when I might have had a PC with 32 mb of
ram (maybe 4 of that used by vcache?) and maybe 128 mb virtual memory
(all of which is stored _AS_ the swap file - yes?) then, what - I
theoretically have a PC with 32+128=160 mb of memory?

So now if I have 512 mb of REAL memory, then why on earth do I still
need virtual memory (and the swap file that goes with it) ???

Wouldn't win-98 run faster if it didn't have to manage virtual memory
and the swap file???

The other items you mentioned are not even modified unless you
run pure DOS games or pure DOS programs.
Windows98 does not need an AutoExec.bat or Config.sys file to
run Windows.


But doesn't win-98 still load (or need) himem.sys even if you don't
have an actual config.sys?

What about emm386?

My current emm386 line is:

DEVICE=C:\WIN98\EMM386.exe NOEMS D=64 A=15 VERBOSE

Are you saying that EMM386 is irrelavent to the operation of Windows
98, regardless of the command-line options used?

PS:

What about the use of WinAlign to "align" all executable code
(microsoft and non-microsoft) that can be aligned safely as a way to
increase performance? I don't hear too much about that. Is there a
master list of third-party software that has been shown to be
"align-able"?
  #25  
Old October 24th 04, 07:27 PM
Shep©
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Sun, 24 Oct 2004 01:37:58 -0400 There I was minding my own business
and then 98 Guy wrote :


What are the optimal swap and cache settings given a pc with either
256 or 215 mb ram with a Celeron 2.6 Ghz CPU?

What about other stuff like himem.sys, emm386 (and it's various
settings), smartdrv, buffers=, files=, etc?


Click here,
http://www.geocities.com/sheppola/easy.html

HTH



--
Free Windows/PC help,
http://www.geocities.com/sheppola/trouble.html
remove obvious to reply
email
Free original songs to download and,"BURN" :O)
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/8/nomessiahsmusic.htm
  #26  
Old October 24th 04, 08:34 PM
Ron Martell
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"Anorack Ted" wrote:

Check out :- http://www.outertech.com/index.php?_charisma_page=index


Cacheman is pure unadulterated crapware that is totally incapable of
performing any beneficial function for any computer under any
circumstances.


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."
  #27  
Old October 24th 04, 08:34 PM posted to microsoft.public.win98.performance,microsoft.public.win98.setup,alt.windows98
Ron Martell
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 240
Default Max performace settings (swap/cache) with 256/512 mb ram?

"Anorack Ted" wrote:

Check out :- http://www.outertech.com/index.php?_charisma_page=index


Cacheman is pure unadulterated crapware that is totally incapable of
performing any beneficial function for any computer under any
circumstances.


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."
  #28  
Old October 24th 04, 08:38 PM
Richard G. Harper
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Windows uses a virtual memory system that adjusts to the amount of memory
present and the use of the system. When more memory is available it will
use it in preference to the swapfile/pagefile. It will cache more data from
the hard drive (VCACHE) to speed hard drive performance.

But if you load a large program or a large data set, Windows will
re-allocate memory from VCACHE to the system pool, and if necessary, use
swapfile/pagefile to expand physical memory.

All this is done automatically, and works best if left alone.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ...
http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"98 Guy" wrote in message ...
"Richard G. Harper" wrote:

The default Windows settings, unless you experience problems.


I find it hard to believe that the default settings are the most
efficient when you have 256 or 512 mb ram.

I say this because when 98 came out, the typical pc had 16mb of ram
and 32 or 64 mb of ram was seen as the outer limits.

So my perception is that given 10 to 20 times the amount of ram, there
must be optimizations that can be made over the default settings.



  #29  
Old October 24th 04, 08:38 PM posted to microsoft.public.win98.performance,microsoft.public.win98.setup
Richard G. Harper
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 396
Default Max performace settings (swap/cache) with 256/512 mb ram?

Windows uses a virtual memory system that adjusts to the amount of memory
present and the use of the system. When more memory is available it will
use it in preference to the swapfile/pagefile. It will cache more data from
the hard drive (VCACHE) to speed hard drive performance.

But if you load a large program or a large data set, Windows will
re-allocate memory from VCACHE to the system pool, and if necessary, use
swapfile/pagefile to expand physical memory.

All this is done automatically, and works best if left alone.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ...
http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"98 Guy" wrote in message ...
"Richard G. Harper" wrote:

The default Windows settings, unless you experience problems.


I find it hard to believe that the default settings are the most
efficient when you have 256 or 512 mb ram.

I say this because when 98 came out, the typical pc had 16mb of ram
and 32 or 64 mb of ram was seen as the outer limits.

So my perception is that given 10 to 20 times the amount of ram, there
must be optimizations that can be made over the default settings.



  #30  
Old October 24th 04, 08:54 PM
Bert Kinney
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Hi 98 Guy,

Ron Martell MS-MVP has an article that will answer most of
you questions concerning memory management.
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca/tips.htm#virtual

--
Regards,
Bert Kinney [MS-MVP DTS]
http://dts-l.org/
How to Configure Outlook Express for Internet News:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=171164

"98 Guy" wrote
Buffalo wrote:

1) In your System.ini file put in MaxFileCache= 70% of physical
ram under the [vcache] header.
ie: 256MB x 70% = 179200 so MaxFileCache=179200
ie: 512MB x 70% = 469763 so MaxFileCache=469763


Vcache - this is a hard drive virtual cache - right?

Which means data that is written to or read from the drive is cached
transiently by Vcache.

Tell me - is the single largest cache-able item the swap file?

If you were limited to caching only 1 item - would the swap file be
it?

What is the purpose of the swap file anyways? Is the swap file the
place where virtual memory is stored?

If so, then if I have 512 mb of ram, why on earth do I STILL want
virtual memory? Don't I have enough freeking REAL memory?

And if I DON'T need or want virtual memory, then I don't have so much
hammering of the Vcache because (presumably) there is NO swap file
(?!).

Again, back in the "old days" when I might have had a PC with 32 mb of
ram (maybe 4 of that used by vcache?) and maybe 128 mb virtual memory
(all of which is stored _AS_ the swap file - yes?) then, what - I
theoretically have a PC with 32+128=160 mb of memory?

So now if I have 512 mb of REAL memory, then why on earth do I still
need virtual memory (and the swap file that goes with it) ???

Wouldn't win-98 run faster if it didn't have to manage virtual memory
and the swap file???

The other items you mentioned are not even modified unless you
run pure DOS games or pure DOS programs.
Windows98 does not need an AutoExec.bat or Config.sys file to
run Windows.


But doesn't win-98 still load (or need) himem.sys even if you don't
have an actual config.sys?

What about emm386?

My current emm386 line is:

DEVICE=C:\WIN98\EMM386.exe NOEMS D=64 A=15 VERBOSE

Are you saying that EMM386 is irrelavent to the operation of Windows
98, regardless of the command-line options used?

PS:

What about the use of WinAlign to "align" all executable code
(microsoft and non-microsoft) that can be aligned safely as a way to
increase performance? I don't hear too much about that. Is there a
master list of third-party software that has been shown to be
"align-able"?



 




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