Short form: I want to use a 16GB USB flash drive memory stick as RAM, but seem to be unable to use more than 4GB, due to the system requirements, limiting what I can enter for values (size). WHY?? More detail: The computer is a desktop machine, having a 3.0GHz dual-core processor, and 4GB RAM installed. I believe the hard drive is a 1T. I have a 16GB USB flash drive memory stick, which I want to use to boost the RAM, for games, and such. There are 3 spare USB ports on the back of the tower. The flash drive is new, with NO files saved on it. When I go into the Settings; Computer; Virtual Memory, the computer is not allowing me to enter a value greater than 4096 in the field for "Initial Size" or "Maximum Size", for the Page File of the USB drive. The Value for C: that I see is: "2096-4092". Main Question: Is there some reason why I cannot allocate more of the memory stick for RAM? (Does the flash drive need to be formatted?) Does the values for C: need to be changed? I presently have "4090" entered for values "Initial Size" and "Maximum Size" in the custom size, for the Page File of the USB Drive. Screenshot provided of Virtual Memory Settings screen: (you can see the L: drive settings (selected), and the C: settings, also) http://prntscr.com/336ocy Question 2: Also, is the "4G" of RAM which I have added to the machine, being added to the 4GB which is already installed in the tower? Question 3: Does the OS wait until the system RAM is full before using the External RAM? Thanks! edit to add: What I learned from Microsoft article "How To Set Performance Options in Windows XP": http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308417/en-us To manually change the size of virtual memory, follow these steps: ... Note After you change the size of the paging file, you may be prompted to restart Windows. If you are prompted to restart, the changes will not take effect until Windows is restarted. ... To have Windows select the best paging file size, click System managed size. The recommended minimum size is the same as 1.5 times the RAM on your computer, and 3 times that figure for the maximum size. For example, if you have 256 MB of RAM, the minimum size is 384 MB, and the maximum size is 1152 MB. For best performance, do not set the initial size to less than the minimum recommended size under Total paging file size for all drives. The recommended size is the same as 1.5 times the RAM on your computer. It is good practice to leave the paging file at its recommended size as performance can decrease if a paging file is too large. However, you may increase its size if you frequently use programs that use lots of memory , such as graphics programs or games. What I am unclear of here, is that, as you can see in the screenshot, the Recommended Size under Total paging file size for all drives is 3019M. And, the values set for the Paging File in C are 2046-4092 . The tower has been rebuilt, and has 4GB RAM . I do not know if these numbers reflect an original build of 2GB, whereas 3GB (3019M) would be 1.5 times the installed RAM, perhaps. Under Virtual Memory, I see the following (shown in screenshot): Drive C Space available: 725194MB *Custom Size Initial Size: 2046 Maximum Size: 4092 Total paging file size for all Drives Minimum allowed: 2MB Recommended: 3019MB Currently Allocated: 2046MB Given that the system has 4GB RAM installed, shouldn't the minimum be 1.5 times that value, or ~6000MB ? (not 3019MB), and the maximum be 3 times ? (not 4092) "The recommended minimum size is the same as 1.5 times the RAM on your computer, and 3 times that figure for the maximum size." Can I change the values on the Virtual memory for C drive to 2046-12000MB ? That is what I am reading from the article. But, it also says to not have a paging file on the same drive as the programs. "Try to avoid having a paging file on the same drive as the system files, usually drive C." Also, why am I unable to enter values greater than 4096 for the USB drive in Initial or Maximum? I also have a question as to whether I should select "Programs" or "System Cache" in memory usage, due to the cache requirements of games, running very few programs. edit 2: I learned that the usb drive needs to be formatted in NTFS, so I did that, which isn't easy, as that isn't a selection in the choices in the Format menu, without going into Device Mgr. A friend was telling me about formatting a usb drive ex-fat for a newer application, and got me thinking. I had selected FAT32 for this one, and had noticed no change in the page file graph usage after adding the drive, like it wasn't getting any data placed on it. So, as custom settings for this USB drive, I have the Initial value at 4091 and the Maximum at 4096, with "System Cache" selected as opposed to "Programs" in Memory usage, in Performance settings. Any answers or tips would be appreciated. Am I on the right track?

I was able to see the results in the console window, and also copied both lists. When I run tasklist /svc >C:\startlist.txt nothing happens.

The > redirect operator sends the output of the command to a file or printer, if the file already exists it will be overwritten, the double redirect >> will append the output of the command if the file already exists, if the file doesn't exist it will create it. Do run the tasklist /svc >C:\startlist.txt command and post the results here so we can see the running processes on machine. The last command was for your information only, you can run the tasklist | sort /R /+58 at the command prompt and see the results at the console window. John

I get it now. The last line was also a Command Prompt, with and without the redirecter. These Windows services are started: Agere Modem Call Progress Audio Application Layer Gateway Service Automatic Updates AVG WatchDog AVGIDSAgent COM+ Event System COMODO Dragon Update Service Computer Browser Cryptographic Services DCOM Server Process Launcher DHCP Client DNS Client Event Log Fast User Switching Compatibility HID Input Service HTTP SSL IPSEC Services Java Quick Starter MBAMScheduler Network Connections Network Location Awareness (NLA) Plug and Play Pml Driver HPZ12 Print Spooler Protected Storage RealNetworks Downloader Resolver Service Remote Access Connection Manager Remote Procedure Call (RPC) SeaPort Secondary Logon Security Accounts Manager Security Center Server Shell Hardware Detection SSDP Discovery Service System Event Notification System Restore Service TeamViewer 8 Telephony Terminal Services Themes TimesUpKidz vToolbarUpdater18.0.5 Windows Audio Windows Driver Foundation - User-mode Driver Framework Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) Windows Live ID Sign-in Assistant Windows Management Instrumentation Wireless Zero Configuration Workstation The command completed successfully. Image Name PID Services ========================= ====== ============================================= System Idle Process 0 N/A System 4 N/A smss.exe 632 N/A avgrsx.exe 672 N/A avgcsrvx.exe 712 N/A csrss.exe 916 N/A winlogon.exe 940 N/A services.exe 984 Eventlog, PlugPlay lsass.exe 996 PolicyAgent, ProtectedStorage, SamSs svchost.exe 1164 DcomLaunch, TermService svchost.exe 1228 RpcSs svchost.exe 1324 AudioSrv, Browser, CryptSvc, Dhcp, EventSystem, FastUserSwitchingCompatibility, HidServ, lanmanserver, lanmanworkstation, Netman, Nla, RasMan, seclogon, SENS, SharedAccess, ShellHWDetection, srservice, TapiSrv, Themes, winmgmt, wscsvc, wuauserv, WZCSVC svchost.exe 1364 WudfSvc svchost.exe 1448 Dnscache spoolsv.exe 1560 Spooler agrsmsvc.exe 1784 AgereModemAudio avgidsagent.exe 1796 AVGIDSAgent avgwdsvc.exe 1828 avgwd dragon_updater.exe 1876 DragonUpdater jqs.exe 2016 JavaQuickStarterService mbamscheduler.exe 2044 MBAMScheduler GoogleUpdate.exe 236 N/A HPZipm12.exe 504 Pml Driver HPZ12 avgnsx.exe 516 N/A avgemcx.exe 584 N/A rndlresolversvc.exe 880 RealNetworks Downloader Resolver Service SeaPort.exe 960 SeaPort svchost.exe 2084 stisvc TeamViewer_Service.exe 2152 TeamViewer8 ToolbarUpdater.exe 2260 vToolbarUpdater18.0.5 WLIDSVC.EXE 2356 wlidsvc loggingserver.exe 2364 N/A TimesUpKidzServer.exe 2428 TimesUpKidz WLIDSVCM.EXE 2776 N/A alg.exe 2984 ALG avgcsrvx.exe 3252 N/A explorer.exe 3800 N/A igfxtray.exe 3900 N/A hkcmd.exe 3924 N/A igfxpers.exe 3952 N/A svchost.exe 3988 SSDPSRV igfxsrvc.exe 4016 N/A vprot.exe 648 N/A RTHDCPL.EXE 1128 N/A avgui.exe 1316 N/A svchost.exe 1348 HTTPFilter jusched.exe 1764 N/A FacebookUpdate.exe 2096 N/A ctfmon.exe 2832 N/A Lightshot.exe 988 N/A dragon.exe 476 N/A dragon.exe 1988 N/A dragon.exe 1856 N/A dragon.exe 2628 N/A dragon.exe 1624 N/A dragon.exe 3556 N/A dragon.exe 3700 N/A dragon.exe 1776 N/A dragon.exe 3896 N/A dragon.exe 4092 N/A cmd.exe 3812 N/A tasklist.exe 2752 N/A wmiprvse.exe 3056 N/A

Services which I disabled yesterday via services.msc: Distributed Link Tracking Client Error Reporting Service Help & Support Indexing Service Messenger Net Logon NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing Network Provisioning Service QoS RSVP Remote Desktop Help Session Manager Smart Card Task Scheduler TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Properties Util Mega Browse Web Client Windows Time edit to add: I have downloaded and installed the tasklist file, and pasted it into the SYStem 32 folder. " tasklist | sort /R /+58 >c:\Memuse.txt will sort the processes by biggest memory users and pipe the results to the indicated .txt file. Omit the redirector to see the results at the command console (tasklist | sort /R /+58)" When you sat to 'omit the redirector', are you saying to type the 3 commands again, only without the redirectors, and now that I have installed the tasklist file, the mem users will be sorted?

Contents of the startlist text file: These Windows services are started: Agere Modem Call Progress Audio Application Layer Gateway Service Automatic Updates AVG WatchDog AVGIDSAgent COM+ Event System COMODO Dragon Update Service Computer Browser Cryptographic Services DCOM Server Process Launcher DHCP Client DNS Client Event Log Fast User Switching Compatibility HID Input Service HTTP SSL IPSEC Services Java Quick Starter MBAMScheduler Network Connections Network Location Awareness (NLA) Plug and Play Pml Driver HPZ12 Print Spooler Protected Storage RealNetworks Downloader Resolver Service Remote Access Connection Manager Remote Procedure Call (RPC) SeaPort Secondary Logon Security Accounts Manager Security Center Server Shell Hardware Detection SSDP Discovery Service System Event Notification System Restore Service TeamViewer 8 Telephony Terminal Services Themes TimesUpKidz vToolbarUpdater18.0.5 Windows Audio Windows Driver Foundation - User-mode Driver Framework Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) Windows Live ID Sign-in Assistant Windows Management Instrumentation Wireless Zero Configuration Workstation The command completed successfully.

Having trouble: Adding RAM with a USB memory stick to a Windows XP desktop that has 4GB installed

Anonymous

Short form:

I want to use a 16GB USB flash drive memory stick as RAM, but seem to be unable to use more than 4GB, due to the system requirements, limiting what I can enter for values (size). WHY??

More detail:

The computer is a desktop machine, having a 3.0GHz dual-core processor, and 4GB RAM installed. I believe the hard drive is a 1T.

I have a 16GB USB flash drive memory stick, which I want to use to boost the RAM, for games, and such. There are 3 spare USB ports on the back of the tower. The flash drive is new, with NO files saved on it.

When I go into the Settings; Computer; Virtual Memory, the computer is not allowing me to enter a value greater than 4096 in the field for "Initial Size" or "Maximum Size", for the Page File of the USB drive.

The Value for C: that I see is: "2096-4092".

Main Question:

Is there some reason why I cannot allocate more of the memory stick for RAM?

(Does the flash drive need to be formatted?)

Does the values for C: need to be changed?

I presently have "4090" entered for values "Initial Size" and "Maximum Size" in the custom size, for the Page File of the USB Drive.

Screenshot provided of Virtual Memory Settings screen: (you can see the L: drive settings (selected), and the C: settings, also)

http://prntscr.com/336ocy

Question 2:

Also, is the "4G" of RAM which I have added to the machine, being added to the 4GB which is already installed in the tower?

Question 3:

Does the OS wait until the system RAM is full before using the External RAM?

Thanks!

edit to add:

What I learned from Microsoft article "How To Set Performance Options in Windows XP":

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308417/en-us

To manually change the size of virtual memory, follow these steps:

...Note After you change the size of the paging file, you may be prompted to restart Windows. If you are prompted to restart, the changes will not take effect until Windows is restarted.

...

To have Windows select the best paging file size, click System managed size. The recommended minimum size is the same as 1.5 times the RAM on your computer, and 3 times that figure for the maximum size. For example, if you have 256 MB of RAM, the minimum size is 384 MB, and the maximum size is 1152 MB.
For best performance, do not set the initial size to less than the minimum recommended size under Total paging file size for all drives. The recommended size is the same as 1.5 times the RAM on your computer. It is good practice to leave the paging file at its recommended size as performance can decrease if a paging file is too large. However, you may increase its size if you frequently use programs that use lots of memory, such as graphics programs or games.

What I am unclear of here, is that, as you can see in the screenshot, the Recommended Size under Total paging file size for all drives is 3019M.

And, the values set for the Paging File in C are 2046-4092.

The tower has been rebuilt, and has 4GB RAM.

I do not know if these numbers reflect an original build of 2GB, whereas 3GB (3019M) would be 1.5 times the installed RAM, perhaps.

Under Virtual Memory, I see the following (shown in screenshot):

Drive C

Space available: 725194MB

*Custom Size

Initial Size: 2046

Maximum Size: 4092

Total paging file size for all Drives

Minimum allowed: 2MB

Recommended: 3019MB

Currently Allocated: 2046MB

Given that the system has 4GB RAM installed, shouldn't the minimum be 1.5 times that value, or ~6000MB ? (not 3019MB), and the maximum be 3 times ? (not 4092)

"The recommended minimum size is the same as 1.5 times the RAM on your computer, and 3 times that figure for the maximum size."

Can I change the values on the Virtual memory for C drive to 2046-12000MB ?

That is what I am reading from the article. But, it also says to not have a paging file on the same drive as the programs.

"Try to avoid having a paging file on the same drive as the system files, usually drive C."

Also, why am I unable to enter values greater than 4096 for the USB drive in Initial or Maximum?

I also have a question as to whether I should select "Programs" or "System Cache" in memory usage, due to the cache requirements of games, running very few programs.

edit 2:

I learned that the usb drive needs to be formatted in NTFS, so I did that, which isn't easy, as that isn't a selection in the choices in the Format menu, without going into Device Mgr.

A friend was telling me about formatting a usb drive ex-fat for a newer application, and got me thinking. I had selected FAT32 for this one, and had noticed no change in the page file graph usage after adding the drive, like it wasn't getting any data placed on it.

So, as custom settings for this USB drive, I have the Initial value at 4091 and the Maximum at 4096, with "System Cache" selected as opposed to "Programs" in Memory usage, in Performance settings.

Any answers or tips would be appreciated.

Am I on the right track?

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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149 answers

Anonymous

2014-03-27T02:12:00+00:00

I was able to see the results in the console window, and also copied both lists.

When I run tasklist /svc >C:\startlist.txt nothing happens.
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2014-03-27T01:34:40+00:00

The > redirect operator sends the output of the command to a file or printer, if the file already exists it will be overwritten, the double redirect >> will append the output of the command if the file already exists, if the file doesn't exist it will create it.

Do run the tasklist /svc >C:\startlist.txt command and post the results here so we can see the running processes on machine.

The last command was for your information only, you can run the tasklist | sort /R /+58 at the command prompt and see the results at the console window.

John
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Anonymous

2014-03-27T01:34:08+00:00

I get it now. The last line was also a Command Prompt, with and without the redirecter.

These Windows services are started:

Agere Modem Call Progress Audio

Application Layer Gateway Service

Automatic Updates

AVG WatchDog

AVGIDSAgent

COM+ Event System

COMODO Dragon Update Service

Computer Browser

Cryptographic Services

DCOM Server Process Launcher

DHCP Client

DNS Client

Event Log

Fast User Switching Compatibility

HID Input Service

HTTP SSL

IPSEC Services

Java Quick Starter

MBAMScheduler

Network Connections

Network Location Awareness (NLA)

Plug and Play

Pml Driver HPZ12

Print Spooler

Protected Storage

RealNetworks Downloader Resolver Service

Remote Access Connection Manager

Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

SeaPort

Secondary Logon

Security Accounts Manager

Security Center

Server

Shell Hardware Detection

SSDP Discovery Service

System Event Notification

System Restore Service

TeamViewer 8

Telephony

Terminal Services

Themes

TimesUpKidz

vToolbarUpdater18.0.5

Windows Audio

Windows Driver Foundation - User-mode Driver Framework

Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)

Windows Live ID Sign-in Assistant

Windows Management Instrumentation

Wireless Zero Configuration

Workstation

The command completed successfully.

Image Name PID Services

========================= ====== =============================================

System Idle Process 0 N/A

System 4 N/A

smss.exe 632 N/A

avgrsx.exe 672 N/A

avgcsrvx.exe 712 N/A

csrss.exe 916 N/A

winlogon.exe 940 N/A

services.exe 984 Eventlog, PlugPlay

lsass.exe 996 PolicyAgent, ProtectedStorage, SamSs

svchost.exe 1164 DcomLaunch, TermService

svchost.exe 1228 RpcSs

svchost.exe 1324 AudioSrv, Browser, CryptSvc, Dhcp,

EventSystem, FastUserSwitchingCompatibility,

HidServ, lanmanserver, lanmanworkstation,

Netman, Nla, RasMan, seclogon, SENS,

SharedAccess, ShellHWDetection, srservice,

TapiSrv, Themes, winmgmt, wscsvc, wuauserv,

WZCSVC

svchost.exe 1364 WudfSvc

svchost.exe 1448 Dnscache

spoolsv.exe 1560 Spooler

agrsmsvc.exe 1784 AgereModemAudio

avgidsagent.exe 1796 AVGIDSAgent

avgwdsvc.exe 1828 avgwd

dragon_updater.exe 1876 DragonUpdater

jqs.exe 2016 JavaQuickStarterService

mbamscheduler.exe 2044 MBAMScheduler

GoogleUpdate.exe 236 N/A

HPZipm12.exe 504 Pml Driver HPZ12

avgnsx.exe 516 N/A

avgemcx.exe 584 N/A

rndlresolversvc.exe 880 RealNetworks Downloader Resolver Service

SeaPort.exe 960 SeaPort

svchost.exe 2084 stisvc

TeamViewer_Service.exe 2152 TeamViewer8

ToolbarUpdater.exe 2260 vToolbarUpdater18.0.5

WLIDSVC.EXE 2356 wlidsvc

loggingserver.exe 2364 N/A

TimesUpKidzServer.exe 2428 TimesUpKidz

WLIDSVCM.EXE 2776 N/A

alg.exe 2984 ALG

avgcsrvx.exe 3252 N/A

explorer.exe 3800 N/A

igfxtray.exe 3900 N/A

hkcmd.exe 3924 N/A

igfxpers.exe 3952 N/A

svchost.exe 3988 SSDPSRV

igfxsrvc.exe 4016 N/A

vprot.exe 648 N/A

RTHDCPL.EXE 1128 N/A

avgui.exe 1316 N/A

svchost.exe 1348 HTTPFilter

jusched.exe 1764 N/A

FacebookUpdate.exe 2096 N/A

ctfmon.exe 2832 N/A

Lightshot.exe 988 N/A

dragon.exe 476 N/A

dragon.exe 1988 N/A

dragon.exe 1856 N/A

dragon.exe 2628 N/A

dragon.exe 1624 N/A

dragon.exe 3556 N/A

dragon.exe 3700 N/A

dragon.exe 1776 N/A

dragon.exe 3896 N/A

dragon.exe 4092 N/A

cmd.exe 3812 N/A

tasklist.exe 2752 N/A

wmiprvse.exe 3056 N/A
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2014-03-27T00:26:36+00:00

Services which I disabled yesterday via services.msc:

Distributed Link Tracking Client

Error Reporting Service

Help & Support

Indexing Service

Messenger

Net Logon

NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing

Network Provisioning Service

QoS RSVP

Remote Desktop Help Session Manager

Smart Card

Task Scheduler

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Properties

Util Mega Browse

Web Client

Windows Time

edit to add:

I have downloaded and installed the tasklist file, and pasted it into the SYStem 32 folder.

"tasklist | sort /R /+58 >c:\Memuse.txt will sort the processes by biggest memory users and pipe the results to the indicated .txt file. Omit the redirector to see the results at the command console (tasklist | sort /R /+58)"

When you sat to 'omit the redirector', are you saying to type the 3 commands again, only without the redirectors, and now that I have installed the tasklist file, the mem users will be sorted?
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2014-03-27T00:06:30+00:00

Contents of the startlist text file:

These Windows services are started:

Agere Modem Call Progress Audio

Application Layer Gateway Service

Automatic Updates

AVG WatchDog

AVGIDSAgent

COM+ Event System

COMODO Dragon Update Service

Computer Browser

Cryptographic Services

DCOM Server Process Launcher

DHCP Client

DNS Client

Event Log

Fast User Switching Compatibility

HID Input Service

HTTP SSL

IPSEC Services

Java Quick Starter

MBAMScheduler

Network Connections

Network Location Awareness (NLA)

Plug and Play

Pml Driver HPZ12

Print Spooler

Protected Storage

RealNetworks Downloader Resolver Service

Remote Access Connection Manager

Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

SeaPort

Secondary Logon

Security Accounts Manager

Security Center

Server

Shell Hardware Detection

SSDP Discovery Service

System Event Notification

System Restore Service

TeamViewer 8

Telephony

Terminal Services

Themes

TimesUpKidz

vToolbarUpdater18.0.5

Windows Audio

Windows Driver Foundation - User-mode Driver Framework

Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)

Windows Live ID Sign-in Assistant

Windows Management Instrumentation

Wireless Zero Configuration

Workstation

The command completed successfully.
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