BleepingComputer.com: Specifying my own virtual memory

Hi:

I am having trouble getting Windows to let me specify my own virtual memory settings, something I have done in the past without problems. I know the mechanics of 'how' to do this, but after I specify a minimum and no maximum, and get the obligatory "Do you really want to do this?" nag, I can't get the new settings to stick. After a reboot, it's back to "Let Windows handle it".

I tried it in safe mode- same result. I have 640 RAM installed, but have limited it to 512 in msconfig>advanced.

I am aware of the problems with having more than 512 RAM in W98SE, and have edited my System.ini>vcache>MaxFilecache=262144

I am not getting any out of memory errors- just trying to tweak.

Any suggestions welcomed.

Its been a while...but are you setting a maximum size file ? And are you setting your page file to be 2-2.5 times your memory?

These settings in system.ini may help as well:

[386Enh]
MaxPhysPage=28000
ConservativeSwapfileUsage=1

Hi Grinler- thanks for responding:

I have not set a maximum file size. I have been following the advice from aumha's Memory Managment page at aumha.org/win4/a/memmgmt.htm.

I have already tried adding the ConservativeSwapfileUsage=1 you mention, without luck. I will try your other suggestion, and let you know.

Yikes!

I added that MaxPhysPage entry you suggested, and got a 'Windows Protection Error' after rebooting that forced me into safe mode. Another reboot got me a BSOD.

Heck, if Windows wants to control my virtual memory that badly, it's welcome to it. Serves me right for trying to tweak this 6 year old system, when it wasn't really giving me any problems. But I thank you for your help regardless.

Damn...that should have helped limited 98 from using the further memory. Remove the ConservativeSwapfileUsage=1 line and keep the other and tell me if its back to running ok?

I did as you suggested, and it is running okay, but I still can't get Windows to let me specify my own virtual memory: the settings just won't stick.

I mentioned before that even though I had 640 Ram, I had limited this for Windows to 512 in msconfig>advanced troubleshooting, based on suggestions from Microsoft's site. I just checked this setting out- and it is back to 640. I'm bginning to think maybe I should remove that 128 RAM stick- perhaps all this system can handle is 512. Then again, I've used 640 RAM for almost a year now w/o problems. It is all very confusing.

I've had the same experiences with 98 and trying to set the virtual memory and mine won't stick either. I have been able to move my swap file to another drive with more space successfully.

With the settings in that you have in system.ini you should be limiting it to 512mb of ram so the extra memory should not be a problem

In myexp

Try setting the mins and max the same . This forces pages out of Ram and frees up quite a bit when setting to 1.5 of your Ram capacity