Question about excessive file swapping

[jimdagys]

I have a Windows xp Pentium 2G with 256k of memory. Every so often, maybe every 30 minutes when I am using the computer, I hear the hard drive chugging away swapping files at full tilt for several minutes. When this is happening, everything is slow. Just to bring up Firefox, may take a minute. I am wondering what is causing this and if anything can be done about it. I have disconnected the internet to confirm that behind the scenes downloading is not the reason. I have attached 2 pictures. the first is when the computer is running quiet. The second picture is taken when the file swapping is occurring.

[jagabo]

You need more memory, at least 512 MB. 1 or 2 GB is even better. You should be able to get a pair of 1 GB sticks for well under US$50.

[jimdagys]

Besides adding memeory, is there any adjustment in xp to reduce this problem?

[poisondeathray]

Not much you can do except add memory.

You can optimize your XP install by configuring/eliminating unnecessary services and save a few MB. Shave a few more by running fewer programs

A custom tweaked install running only bare essentials still runs ~150-200MB. From what I can recall you in particular should at least have anti virus and firewall , and that would already put you ~250-300MB

[redwudz]

It sounds like your computer is using virtual memory from your hard disk to make up for a lack of RAM. You can move your Paging File to another drive, keep the hard drive that is using the file defragged, along with leaving lots of free space on your drives. That all may give you a bit faster access and better performance.

This is a good article on virtual memory/paging files and may help you improve the situation: http://www.theeldergeek.com/paging_file.htm

[Chris K]

You need more memory, at least 512 MB. 1 or 2 GB is even better. You should be able to get a pair of 1 GB sticks for well under US$50.

This is the best advice to get !
I had a comparable setup and the same problem even when running one single app like DVDLab.
Then I upgrade memory to 1.5 Gb and wow, should have done it much earlier.

Also don't wait to long if you want to continue with this setup cause older type of memory
increasing fast in costs (here in Europe about double the price of current type).

[jimdagys]

Does anybody know about the free software called PageDefrag? It is supposed to defrag the page file. Sometimes when my computer is doing all this file swapping, there is a warning that says the virtual memory is low and Windows is now increasing the file.

[mpack]

Adding memory is certainly a good idea, but I'm not convinced this is your only problem. You might want to look at the processes tab to see if something is consuming a lot of memory. Sometimes background processes have a memory leak, and their memory consumption grows the longer the PC is switched on. You might also want to make sure that you've installed all the latest WinXP fixes.

Also, I would disable the disk indexing service.

[Nelson37]

While you may very well have something else going on, 256k is way too low for XP and seeking to improve performance elsewhere is a complete waste of time unitl you get more RAM. This has always been one of the most cost-effective speed improvements available, and with such a heavily restricted PC you will be amaxed at the performance improvement.

Depending on your slots available, target for 1GB. If you only have two slots, strongly recommend do not waste any cash on another 256 module, get two 512. If you have four slots, you could probably find a PC guy with 256 modules he is ready to simply throw away, or for very minimal cost. I have at least four right now that are damn near completely worthless.

[jimdagys]

I restored the c drive from a ghost image and now it runs much better.

[jagabo]

It's crazy not get more memory. A pair of 512 MB sticks costs as little as US$18:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000170147%201052308476&bo...nd&Order=PRICE

Even if you have to pull out your existing memory and throw it away you'll be far better off. It's not clear what type of memory your computer uses though. "Pentium 2G" is not a good description. Be sure to get the right type.