Phish2420 Posted June 22, 2007 Report Share Posted June 22, 2007 Ok, I'm running Windows XP Pro SP2, and I also dual-boot to Linux. However, my issue is with Windows.I've got 2GB of RAMI was running Bittorrent for about a day and got a message that my page file had to be increasedI looked at the task manager, and in fact my Page File had been increased to 2.5GBNOW HERE IS MY PROBLEM:I've got 2 GB of RAM and Taskman is telling me I've got 1GB of that FREE!WHY WILL WINDOWS NOT USE ALL AVAILABLE RAM BEFORE PAGING (LINUX DOES!!!!!!!!)And is there any way to FORCE Windows to use ALL available RAM BEFORE it starts to PAGE SO MUCH???I have 2 GB of RAM for a reason...TO BE USED!! And Windows won't ever come CLOSE to using it all......Thanks so much in advance for anyone who can help out! Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason.b.c Posted June 22, 2007 Report Share Posted June 22, 2007 Ok, I'm running Windows XP Pro SP2, and I also dual-boot to Linux. However, my issue is with Windows.I've got 2GB of RAMI was running Bittorrent for about a day and got a message that my page file had to be increasedI looked at the task manager, and in fact my Page File had been increased to 2.5GBNOW HERE IS MY PROBLEM:I've got 2 GB of RAM and Taskman is telling me I've got 1GB of that FREE!WHY WILL WINDOWS NOT USE ALL AVAILABLE RAM BEFORE PAGING (LINUX DOES!!!!!!!!)And is there any way to FORCE Windows to use ALL available RAM BEFORE it starts to PAGE SO MUCH???I have 2 GB of RAM for a reason...TO BE USED!! And Windows won't ever come CLOSE to using it all......Thanks so much in advance for anyone who can help out! Thanks!!Ok , i'll take a stab at this one... :D@ 1GB free - well..? , if windows dosen't need to use all available ram , then it isn't gonna use it ..@ Linux Does - no it dosen't...! not the way you think it does , Linux ram usage is far better than that of winblows...@ Force winblows to use it - ah ..! , you mean a ram drive...? ( info ) ( possible downloads ) ( some other info ) ( Virtual Memory ) ( check out this page ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaz Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 This sounds like something I came across except I was using 4gb... In your case, it could be that the heatshields on the memory aren't doing their job so the memory "shuts" down, preventing the usage of that. How many DIMM slots are open, and how sticks of memory are you using? 2x 1GB? 4x 512mb?Have you tested each memory stick to see if they are working correctly? If your BIOS has the capability to show you the temp. of the memory modules check it.One stick at a time :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcb2001 Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 Well, to be honest, the RAM is kept free for high-level threads, which means, that all OS subrutines, programs that sets their thread-level as low or lowest, certain inactive drivers - as printer drivers, and alot more - is kept in the page file, to keep the RAM free for higher level threads.This means, try and run a new game like WOW the BC (which uses alot of RAM) and see how all your RAM is consumed instantly...So windows dont keep from using your RAM, it just saves it for the programs that actually would benefit in using it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raddy Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 Also be sure that your RAM pairs (if thats what youre using) are in the correct slots in the motherboard...many motherboards require you to skip a slot when only installing two sticks:Slot 1: UsedSlot 2: OpenSlot 3: UsedSlot 4: OpenOr some configuration like that. If, for example, you have the first and second slots occupied, the computer will only recognize the first stick. Check your motherboard to make sure that they are set up correctly. Most mobos color code their RAM slots to make sure you install them correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phish2420 Posted June 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2007 Thanks for all your replies. I've been building computers for over 15 years. I'm running Dual-Channel - Corsair XMS-3200C2TP RAM. And the RAM is in the proper slots and are being actively being cooled. Both sticks are also testing fine on a 24-hour MEMTEST86.There is no problem with the RAM, it's config, or it's temp. This is a Windows Problem....The way I see it, I've got 2GB of RAM.....and I WANT THAT 2GB to be USED....BEFORE WINDOWS EVER PAGES.....That is what RAM is for...........I'm not playing games at the moment. I'm running Bittorent. And I don't like seeing a 4GB PAGE FILE when I've got a GIG or more FREE RAM!! There CANNOT be THAT many system processes that would require that 1GB be reserved...JUST IN CASE Windows MIGHT need it. As I said before, Linux will use EVERY OUNCE of my RAM before it pages.......WHY WILL WINDOWS NOT?????? I WANT TO FORCE IT TO USE THIS RAM. I bought it for a reason.....TO BE USED!! If Windows is just going to page regardless....then why the hell would anyone buy more than a GIG or RAM with the exception of gaming and a few other exceptions???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaz Posted June 27, 2007 Report Share Posted June 27, 2007 I see, well I would say to turn off virtual / paging and give that a shot. Not sure if you've done that. Because now that you mention Linux using all memory and making sure by going into lilo, Windows has a different way of allocating and managing memory (which sucks?). If the hardware pass'd all tests. Another thing one could do is reinstall the OS, or create a partition and boot from it to make sure your System isnt corrupt.The page file is possible corrupt, possibly at a bad shutdown. In the Virtual Memory settings, set “No page file,” then exit System Properties, shut down the machine, and reboot. Delete PAGEFILE.SYS (on each drive, if more than just C:), set the page file up again and reboot to bring it into use.ehh... trying to work with ya here buddy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcb2001 Posted June 27, 2007 Report Share Posted June 27, 2007 ...There CANNOT be THAT many system processes that would require that 1GB be reserved...JUST IN CASE Windows MIGHT need it. ...It isn't reserved for windows - its reserved for programs, other then windows, ie games and like... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phish2420 Posted June 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2007 Agreed. It is reserved for crap that I'm not even running!!! So WHY WILL WINDOWS NOT USE IT FOR THE THINGS I AM RUNNING??? This is my 7th post on this thread and STILL nobody can answer this question properly, technically and logically. Yet I DO still appreciate each and every reply. Bittorrent NEEDS this gig of RAM I have just sitting here free......WHY WON'T WINDOWS USE IT!?!?!?!?! If I run Bittorrent on Linux....Linux will use ALL 2 GB...and THEN it will start paging. And no, please no suggestions that I just use Linux. I WANT Windows to work as it SHOULD..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted June 28, 2007 Report Share Posted June 28, 2007 ......WHY WON'T WINDOWS USE IT!?!?!?!?!Because Windows doesn't need it - that's why. It is the applications that decide if memory should become pageable, or remain fixed in memory. I have applications that remain fixed in memory, even if inactive - I have specified it that way.If Bittorrent doesn't keep its allocated storage in memory, then don't blame Windows for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phish2420 Posted June 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2007 I understand that...........But can I FORCE it somehow?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted June 28, 2007 Report Share Posted June 28, 2007 Yes; as Spaz suggested earlier, turn off the Virtual Memory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcb2001 Posted June 28, 2007 Report Share Posted June 28, 2007 I understand that...........But can I FORCE it somehow??Or when its running, go to the task-manager (CTRL+SHIFT+ESC) and right click the process (bitTorrent.exe) in the process tap, then select "set priority" to the highest your allowed to set it - this might force windows to move it to the RAM instead of the virtual memory because of the heavier CPU load.BUT! i dont think you will gain anything, programs are usually designed to be running the most efficient way, and forcing it to run differently might not help - or just slow the rest of the system down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raddy Posted June 28, 2007 Report Share Posted June 28, 2007 I'll be honest, I cannot think of a single reason other than the ones mentioned here why windows isn't recognizing your RAM. I have two gigs installed with Windows XP, and it recognizes it without a problem. Unless you have a crazy video card setup that involves 3 gigs of RAM, I really don't know what else to say. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phish2420 Posted June 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2007 Oh no....Windows recognizes it all....It just refuses to use it all when it SHOULD be using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted June 28, 2007 Report Share Posted June 28, 2007 How do you know it is not using it when you are not checking it? i.e. when your back is turned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phish2420 Posted June 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2007 I have literally sat and watched it for HOURS....and I just keep getting the message that Windows is Running LOW on Virtual Memory and needs to increase my page file.When I get this message, my page file is ALREADY sitting at 4+ GB!! And yet there is a GIG of RAM just sitting there doing NOTHING........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted June 29, 2007 Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 I have to admit - that is a bit strange. However, I have never experienced such a situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcb2001 Posted June 29, 2007 Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 I have literally sat and watched it for HOURS....and I just keep getting the message that Windows is Running LOW on Virtual Memory and needs to increase my page file.When I get this message, my page file is ALREADY sitting at 4+ GB!! And yet there is a GIG of RAM just sitting there doing NOTHING...........Like i told, the program has set is thread-cpu-level to lower then normal, therefore windows reconizes it as a background program, and puts it in the page file, instead of the RAM - and when the hash'ing of files starts starts using alot of memory (which in this case is the page file)So go to the taskmanager, and set the thread-cpu-level to the highest suggested, and see if it doesn't help you out...I know for a fact, that i can do this on java, when i run high demanding programs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auto98 Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 Sorry to gravedig, just saw this and wanted to answerto the OP - a torrent program will never use that much ram (at least shouldn't) - the data from a p2p app will ALWAYS be written to hard disk (whether page file or its own temp files) due to the risk of data loss (if you think about it it doesn't make much sense to "download to ram" - why use ram for something that no processing is going to take place on)However your situation sounds wrong still - either your p2p is trying to complete the d/l before writing any of it to disk (outside the pagefile i mean), or you are trying to d/l about 1.000E+09 files at onceI know it can be annoying - i play Football Manager a lot, and it only uses half my RAM, cos it store everything as temp files on the HDOf course, if you really want to use all your ram, the only thing to do is create a ramdrive ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted October 23, 2007 Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 It is really the application developer that decides how to use RAM vs. disk. Nothing that you - or Windows - can do about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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