Re: Paging File on Second HDD

SC Tom

You need a type of knowledge which most users do not have to be able to
go forward in the way you have indicated.


--



Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SC Tom wrote:
"Gerry" <gerry@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%23xwc3vrgJHA.504@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Peter

With an older computer adding RAM can be non-productive. The
determining factor is what is the bottleneck holding back
improvements to system performance. Commonly it is the CPU and if
this is so adding RAM makes no material difference. To replace the
CPU involves replacing the motherboard and the cost starts to
approach that of a new computer. That RAM can be fairly inexpensive,
if you can get suitable RAM, ceases to be a consideration.


Not necessarily- plenty of MB's support faster CPU's than what the
system came with. And with it being an older PC, a new or used CPU
could be picked up cheap (comparatively speaking).

SC Tom


--



Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


peter wrote:
I would like to add that adding RAM is fairly inexpensive nowadays
and that would
help improve the speed of the system
peter


"ReadyFreddie" <ReadyFreddie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
message news:BAFF0F02-7D10-4155-B024-89899008D80E@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Wow, what a nice bunch of responses! Thanks, all of you. I'll read
your suggestions at greater length tomorrow. I had triple heart
bypass surgery about 5 weeks ago so I'm gaining strength back
slowly. But I caught a cold yesterday and feel terrible. What's
next? But again, thank you all for your
help.
--
ReadyFreddie


"Leonard Grey" wrote:

My 6.5 year old PC is not significantly more impressive than
yours, and it plays Windows XP like a fiddle. (It's quick.)

You /can/ install a second hard drive and move your page file
there. If the second drive is accessed less frequently than the
main drive, you will attain some improvement in performance. But
you're likely to need sophisticated electronic equipment to
measure the improvement, because you won't notice any difference.
I did the very same thing when I bought a second hard drive, and
I didn't perceive a damn bit of difference. I always let Windows
manage virtual memory. It's the best way,
unless you have a particular need.

FWIW: Here's how I keep my baby running fast (and smooth):

First, I run a lean configuration. Most people would laugh if they
saw how little I have starting with Windows. Also, I eschew eye
candy. (I can't wait to turn off that glass-y interface in the
next version of Windows.)

Second, I keep my PC devoid of malware.

Third, I don't screw around. At least, not with my computer. I
only run my software in the manner it is supported. And I prepare
carefully before I make changes or add updates.

And that's it. I don't make extraordinary efforts to maintain my
computer, like daily defragging or surgical cache cleaning.

Naturally, my PC doesn't run like it has an i7 in it. But I can go
from pushing the power button to the Welcome Screen in less than
30 seconds, and from there to a ready-to-work desktop is less
than 30 seconds, and with one exception, applications start
inside of a second. The exception is my video editing software
(Pinnacle Studio 12 Plus), which takes a few seconds to open. But
then, my config just barely meets its recommended requirements so
I should
consider myself lucky that it works at all.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

ReadyFreddie wrote:
Because of the economy, I'm forced to keep using a vintage PC -
1.8GHz P4,
512MB RAM, 40GB HDD, and Windows XP Home Edition. The HDD is only
about half
full.

It is an old workhorse and I'd like to try improving its
performance a bit
if possible. Would I gain anything at all by installing a second
hard drive
(surplus from another PC) and moving the paging file from the C:
drive to the
second one? If yes, would it be best to I let Windows continue to
manage
virtual memory, or could I specify a paging file size myself and
squeeze a
little more out of this poor old nag?

Is there anything else I could move to the second drive to get
even a smidgen improvement in performance? -Thanks!


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