page file or swap file

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A swap space is where XP stores data that is too big for it's internal memory (RAM) so it can get-to recently accessed information quickly. Everybody seems to have a different take on what the specs should be. Trying to balance the two is the question. If you have a lot of memory you may be able to function just fine. However, some programs (usually games or other graphic or Audio intense programs) need some swap space to run. Any changes you make to the page file will not be used until the next time you reboot.
  • changes with the default control panel
    1. Control Panel
    2. Performance and Maintenance
    3. System
    4. Advanced tab
    5. Performance
    6. Settings
    7. Advanced
    8. Virual Memory
    9. Change
    10. Adjust or select "no paging file"
    11. set (see below)
  • Classic Control Panel
    1. Control Panel
    2. System
    3. Advanced tab
    4. Performance
    5. Settings
    6. Advanced
    7. Virual Memory
    8. Change
    9. Adjust or select "no paging file"
    10. set (see below)
the initial setting When you get into the 'virtual memory' panel, there are three different settings. The first one is to allow Windows to control your swap file for you. This is the default. Next is where you define the swap file you feel you need. Last is the setting to completely disable the swap file. Static vs. Dynamic A static swap file is constantly the same size while a dynamic swap file changes as the system runs. With a dynamic swap file you enter a minimum and a maximum amount of memory to use. A static swap file is when the minimum and the maximum are the same. A static swap file is much faster than a dynamic swap file since it doesn't have to constantly recalculate the changing size. But a dynamic swap file doesn't use any more memory than necessary at that moment. best speeds This list is from fastest to slowest. The list is just a guide since a system will not always work according to the list. Many times you will need to actually benchmark the program that you can use to decide what is faster. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut feelings.
  • No swap file.
  • a static swap file on a separate hard drive
  • A dynamic swap file on a separate hard drive
  • A static swap file on a separate partition, but on the same physical hard drive as Windows.
  • A dynamic swap file on a separate partition, but on the same physical hard drive as Windows.
  • A dynamic swap file on the same partition and physical hard drive as Windows. (the default set-up)
My recommendations If you have several gigs of memory and you are doing a lot of time intensive tasks like 3D graphics or animation then select "use no swap file" in the initial settings (see above). You may also want to put 'ConserveSwapFileUsage' in your System.ini file. Most of the time you will want to put about 2 to 3 times (I go with about 2 1/2) of the amount of RAM memory you have. For example, if you have 512M of RAM then enter about 768 in both the minimum and the maximum. forensics The swap file stores a lot of information that many people forget about and can be looked at with tools such as Nortons DISKEDIT or SECTORSPY. However, there are some forensic tools that make the job a little easier. Because of the privacy issues, I feel better if I clear the swap file every now and then. I use a program CCLEANER. When a static swap file is used it is a file listed in a directory but its named differently depending on which Windows operating system you use.
Windows 3.1386SPART.PAR
Windows 9x WIN386.SWP
Windows NT/2000/XP PAGEFILE.SYS
The permanent file usually resides in the root directory but sometimes it is in the Windows/System32 directory. references SECTORSPY CCLEAN