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?

Remove the RAM disk! The memory used by the RAM disk is no longer available to the operating system! John

Okay. Will do. First, I will ensure that AVG is OFF. Yes, adding the /PAE was done before we actually realized that the machine physically had only 2GB RAM installed. I will leave the switch out of there. We explored /PAE and RAMDisk before I even looked inside the case, and learned that there was not 4GB installed, as I had mistakenly thought. (A 3GB RAMDisk is in My Computer, but is set to 'No Paging File'). Should I ensure that there are NO files or folders in the RAMDisk? I do not recall ever moving any files or folders there. In hindsight, I would have looked in the case first, and installed the second 2GB RAM stick prior to attempting 'Ready Boost' with USB flash drive (which I now know cannot be done on XP). At least we are dealing with RAM sticks from same mfr, and same model, specs, etc. I am glad that I did not get anything different there.

When you are properly booted to a clean state there are no not third party programs or service loaded (that includes your anti-virus software), there are only Microsoft services running. Run the computer in the clean boot state (keeping in mind that you have no AV protection) and see how well it works. If the computer runs well while booted to a clean state but not so well when booted to its normal state then the problem(s) are with third party applications or services that are loaded, if that is the case you will have to do your research and find out which ones of your third party applications are gumming up the computer. Do not re-enable /PAE, you don't want this in the boot.ini file. John

Booted in Clean State. edit to add: Removed /PAE switch from the boot.ini file prior to clean boot. I followed the manual instructions here: "How To Configure Windows XP in a Clean Boot State" http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353 There was a error message, something like 'incurred an error stopping a service...', but I was prompted with a 'Restart' button. On restart, the message "You have used the System Configuration Utility to make changes to the way Windows starts. The System Configuration Utility is currently in Diagnostic or Selective Startup mode..." appeared.

The RAM is fine. Remove the /PAE switch from the boot.ini file and boot the machine to a clean boot state. John Will do.

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

2014-04-03T00:29:40+00:00

Remove the RAM disk! The memory used by the RAM disk is no longer available to the operating system!

John
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Anonymous

2014-04-03T00:26:20+00:00

Okay. Will do. First, I will ensure that AVG is OFF.

Yes, adding the /PAE was done before we actually realized that the machine physically had only 2GB RAM installed. I will leave the switch out of there.

We explored /PAE and RAMDisk before I even looked inside the case, and learned that there was not 4GB installed, as I had mistakenly thought.

(A 3GB RAMDisk is in My Computer, but is set to 'No Paging File'). Should I ensure that there are NO files or folders in the RAMDisk? I do not recall ever moving any files or folders there.

In hindsight, I would have looked in the case first, and installed the second 2GB RAM stick prior to attempting 'Ready Boost' with USB flash drive (which I now know cannot be done on XP).

At least we are dealing with RAM sticks from same mfr, and same model, specs, etc. I am glad that I did not get anything different there.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2014-04-02T23:56:56+00:00

When you are properly booted to a clean state there are no not third party programs or service loaded (that includes your anti-virus software), there are only Microsoft services running. Run the computer in the clean boot state (keeping in mind that you have no AV protection) and see how well it works. If the computer runs well while booted to a clean state but not so well when booted to its normal state then the problem(s) are with third party applications or services that are loaded, if that is the case you will have to do your research and find out which ones of your third party applications are gumming up the computer. Do not re-enable /PAE, you don't want this in the boot.ini file.

John
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2014-04-02T22:45:56+00:00

Booted in Clean State.

edit to add: Removed /PAE switch from the boot.ini file prior to clean boot.

I followed the manual instructions here:

"How To Configure Windows XP in a Clean Boot State"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

There was a error message, something like 'incurred an error stopping a service...', but I was prompted with a 'Restart' button.

On restart, the message "You have used the System Configuration Utility to make changes to the way Windows starts. The System Configuration Utility is currently in Diagnostic or Selective Startup mode..." appeared.
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2014-04-02T21:54:58+00:00

The RAM is fine. Remove the /PAE switch from the boot.ini file and boot the machine to a clean boot state.

John

Will do.
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