Hb_Kai Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 I've recently been coming across RAM defrag software, I can't see the point in it. If anything it would free up as much RAM as it's using effectively wasting time and possibly money, and RAM.Is there much point to them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dencandy Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 Before I got extra RAM installed I found one of these useful if I was running several programs simultaneously or moving from one program to another without shutting down. Also if RAM gets full then Windows starts to use the paging file on the HDD for data that should be in RAM, thus also slowing things down a bit & putting wear & tear on the HDD. If you have ample RAM and a capacious HDD with the correctly sized paging file, I agree there's probably no need for a RAM defragger.I have Cacheman (http://www.outertech.com/index.php?_charis...roduct&id=2) which is available for unlimited trial (i.e. free), but I rarely have to use it. It also has a handy tweaking tool which seems to slightly improve access speed. But I'd suggest reading some reviews first before trying it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 My paging file is 2046MB, how does that sound? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 Sounds kind of unrelated to the topic's subject. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dencandy Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 My paging file is 2046MB, how does that sound? :DOh, you have got a big one, haven't you. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 My paging file is 2046MB, how does that sound? :DOh, you have got a big one, haven't you. ;) I don't know, that's why I mentioned it. I did not set it that way. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dencandy Posted November 28, 2008 Report Share Posted November 28, 2008 The size of the paging file should be related to the size of the computer's RAM (See MS Help & Support HERE). In its default mode Windows automatically sets the paging file size as follows:- Less than 1 GB RAM: Initial size - 1.5 x RAM Maximum size - 3.0 x RAM- 1 GB or more RAM: Initial size - 1.0 x RAM Maximum size - 3.0 x RAMThe wise view seems to be that unless you use your computer as a server it's best to leave these default settings as they are. You can check that you have the default settings by opening Control Panel> Performance & Maintenance> System> Advanced> Performance (Settings)> Advanced> Virtual Memory > Change. Then check that Performance Managed Size is set. Any change will take effect on re-boot.If you've installed additional RAM, Windows will adjust the page file accordingly, so long as you have Performance Managed Size set. If it's not set, set it, or change the sizes manually using Custom.I understand that no harm can be done by having the maximum size paging file higher than 3 x RAM, so long as you have ample HDD space.I hope this isn't too off-topic Admin, newbies especially might find it useful as there are many mistaken views about "optimizing" the paging file. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted November 28, 2008 Report Share Posted November 28, 2008 I have 2 GB RAM on a 250GB hard drive with a 160 GB D drive. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dencandy Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 I have 2 GB RAM on a 250GB hard drive with a 160 GB D drive. :DSo the 2046 MB you mentioned presumably refers to the Initial (or minimum) size. Have you had a look at the virtual memory item to make sure that System Managed Size is set (not Performance Managed Size as I wrote in my previous post)? If someone else set up the computer for you he/she may have set Custom sizes. Maybe that's OK, but if they've set something different from the MS default settings you might want to ask them why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 A couple of screen shots. Is this OK? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dencandy Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 Yes that seems to be in order. You have System Managed Paging File set, in line with MS recommendations. However, I see that the recommended Initial size is 3070 MB while the currently allocated is 2047 MB. I can't see why there should be a difference if you're using the System Managed option - unless you changed something & haven't yet re-booted.Even so, I wouldn't worry about it as both your RAM & Paging File are way in excess of anything your ever likely to need - unless you're thinking of setting up a server. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 Yes that seems to be in order. You have System Managed Paging File set, in line with MS recommendations. However, I see that the recommended Initial size is 3070 MB while the currently allocated is 2047 MB. I can't see why there should be a difference if you're using the System Managed option - unless you changed something & haven't yet re-booted.Even so, I wouldn't worry about it as both your RAM & Paging File are way in excess of anything your ever likely to need - unless you're thinking of setting up a server. No chance of that. Thanks for the info. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hb_Kai Posted December 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Could anybody recommend me a good RAM Defrag please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rong Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Could anybody recommend me a good RAM Defrag please?About a 100 ewes ;) sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hb_Kai Posted December 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Could anybody recommend me a good RAM Defrag please?About a 100 ewes ;) sorryewes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rong Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hb_Kai Posted December 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2008 Sheep? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted December 2, 2008 Report Share Posted December 2, 2008 Could anybody recommend me a good RAM Defrag please?There is really (really!) no need to defrag your RAM; since RAM access is almost instantaneous, what could possibly be gained from a defragged RAM? Nanoseconds? (This is pretty much what you wrote in your original post.)Now if you are talking about the Page File, that is a (slightly) different matter. There are programs that can defrag the Page File, but since it is recreated with each Windows start, there is also not much point of doing that. Especially since you have to restart Windows to defrag the Page File. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dencandy Posted December 2, 2008 Report Share Posted December 2, 2008 On my first laptop which only had a 256MB RAM I did find that de-fragging the RAM would make a difference if I had been going from one program to another without shutting down. Now that large inexpensive RAM cards are readily available I never need to de-frag it.There'e a discussion on Tech Support Guy about the topic (HERE) which supports what PW writes. Some RAM de-fraggers are mentioned there. I used to use a RAM de-fragger that came with an earlier free version of System Mechanic; but that utility has other drawbacks & I eventually ditched it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hb_Kai Posted December 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2008 The laptop which I'm using has only got 192MB RAM, which is why I'm considering giving it a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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