Adding RAM? Be Sure To Tell Windows!
Microsoft Windows systems typically automatically begin making use of new memory when additional RAM is installed in a PC. However, Windows does NOT automatically adjust its configuration settings to optimize performance as a result of the new memory.
Say that again?
When you install new memory in a Windows PC, the operating system recognizes the new resources and begins utilizing the additional RAM. However, Windows does not adjust its performance settings to maximize use of the additional memory. This is because Windows does not automatically adjust the size of its page file, which is he space on the hard disk Windows uses to store RAM overflow.
Here’s how Wikipedia defines the paging process: “Paging is an important part of virtual memory implementation in most contemporary general-purpose operating systems, allowing them to easily use disk storage for data that does not fit into physical RAM.”
Windows doesn’t automatically make adjustments when memory is added to a system, however.
Fortunately, the problem is easy to fix.
Windows XP users can follow these steps:
1. Right-click My Computer.
2. Select Properties.
3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. Click the Performance Settings button.
5. Click the Advanced tab.
6. Click the Virtual Memory Change button.
7. Set the Initial Size (MB) setting to 1.5 times the amount of physical RAM.
8. Set the Maximum Size (MB) setting to 3 times the amount of physical RAM.
9. Click the Set button.
10. Click the OK button (to close the Virtual Memory window).
11. Click the OK button (to close the Advanced tab).
12. Click the OK button (to close the System Properties box).
Have questions? Contact Louisville Geek at 502-897-7577.
