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

Anonymous
2014-03-22T21:13:11+00:00

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?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-03-27T20:01:18+00:00

    This screenshot was taken after a reboot, allowing a few minutes for the system to settle. Nothing was opened but Task Manager, and FN/Print Scrn

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-03-27T20:19:43+00:00

    executing the commands produces this in the startlist text doc:

    (immediately after taking the screenshot of the Task Mgr window), without opening anything other than Start Menu, and Command Prompt

    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                 1160 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                 1440 Dnscache                                     

    spoolsv.exe                 1572 Spooler                                      

    agrsmsvc.exe                1792 AgereModemAudio                              

    avgidsagent.exe             1804 AVGIDSAgent                                  

    avgwdsvc.exe                1836 avgwd                                        

    dragon_updater.exe          1884 DragonUpdater                                

    jqs.exe                     2016 JavaQuickStarterService                      

    GoogleUpdate.exe             136 N/A                                          

    mbamscheduler.exe            168 MBAMScheduler                                

    avgnsx.exe                   260 N/A                                          

    avgemcx.exe                  428 N/A                                          

    HPZipm12.exe                 920 Pml Driver HPZ12                             

    rndlresolversvc.exe         1276 RealNetworks Downloader Resolver Service     

    SeaPort.exe                 1452 SeaPort                                      

    svchost.exe                  668 stisvc                                       

    TeamViewer_Service.exe      1000 TeamViewer8                                  

    ToolbarUpdater.exe          1352 vToolbarUpdater18.0.5                        

    WLIDSVC.EXE                 1632 wlidsvc                                      

    loggingserver.exe           1648 N/A                                          

    TimesUpKidzServer.exe       1980 TimesUpKidz                                  

    WLIDSVCM.EXE                2272 N/A                                          

    alg.exe                     2592 ALG                                          

    avgcsrvx.exe                2840 N/A                                          

    explorer.exe                3180 N/A                                          

    igfxtray.exe                3304 N/A                                          

    hkcmd.exe                   3312 N/A                                          

    igfxpers.exe                3336 N/A                                          

    svchost.exe                 3372 SSDPSRV                                      

    igfxsrvc.exe                3392 N/A                                          

    vprot.exe                   3672 N/A                                          

    RTHDCPL.EXE                 3684 N/A                                          

    svchost.exe                 3724 HTTPFilter                                   

    avgui.exe                   3828 N/A                                          

    jusched.exe                 3892 N/A                                          

    FacebookUpdate.exe          3948 N/A                                          

    Lightshot.exe                660 N/A                                          

    ctfmon.exe                   528 N/A                                          

    taskmgr.exe                 3072 N/A                                          

    cmd.exe                     1692 N/A                                          

    tasklist.exe                3268 N/A                                          

    wmiprvse.exe                2720 N/A

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-03-27T21:13:03+00:00

    Can you run these commands and paste the results here?

    tasklist | sort /R /+58 >c:\Memuse.txt

    c:\memuse.txt

    You can copy and paste to the command console.

    John

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-03-27T21:17:45+00:00

    dragon.exe                  2660 Console                 0    584,996 K

    dragon.exe                  1716 Console                 0    246,692 K

    dragon.exe                  3320 Console                 0    116,836 K

    dragon.exe                  4020 Console                 0     49,684 K

    avgcsrvx.exe                2840 Console                 0     34,996 K

    avgcsrvx.exe                 712 Console                 0     32,248 K

    dragon.exe                  3244 Console                 0     27,432 K

    explorer.exe                3180 Console                 0     24,200 K

    svchost.exe                 1324 Console                 0     23,788 K

    RTHDCPL.EXE                 3684 Console                 0     23,340 K

    TimesUpKidzServer.exe       1980 Console                 0     22,924 K

    dragon.exe                   564 Console                 0     21,228 K

    dragon.exe                  4044 Console                 0     21,104 K

    avgrsx.exe                   672 Console                 0     20,532 K

    dragon.exe                  2332 Console                 0     20,524 K

    dragon.exe                  1548 Console                 0     20,408 K

    vprot.exe                   3672 Console                 0     15,280 K

    avgwdsvc.exe                1836 Console                 0     14,804 K

    avgui.exe                   3828 Console                 0     13,928 K

    avgnsx.exe                   260 Console                 0     10,880 K

    TeamViewer_Service.exe      1000 Console                 0      9,912 K

    SeaPort.exe                 1452 Console                 0      9,572 K

    Lightshot.exe                660 Console                 0      8,764 K

    WLIDSVC.EXE                 1632 Console                 0      8,540 K

    svchost.exe                 3372 Console                 0      6,860 K

    avgemcx.exe                  428 Console                 0      6,836 K

    dragon_updater.exe          1884 Console                 0      6,504 K

    avgidsagent.exe             1804 Console                 0      6,496 K

    wmiprvse.exe                 348 Console                 0      5,888 K

    spoolsv.exe                 1572 Console                 0      5,780 K

    mbamscheduler.exe            168 Console                 0      5,540 K

    ToolbarUpdater.exe          1352 Console                 0      5,352 K

    svchost.exe                 1160 Console                 0      5,032 K

    csrss.exe                    916 Console                 0      4,864 K

    tasklist.exe                1692 Console                 0      4,608 K

    svchost.exe                 1228 Console                 0      4,524 K

    svchost.exe                  668 Console                 0      4,232 K

    igfxtray.exe                3304 Console                 0      3,724 K

    alg.exe                     2592 Console                 0      3,660 K

    hkcmd.exe                   3312 Console                 0      3,656 K

    svchost.exe                 1440 Console                 0      3,644 K

    services.exe                 984 Console                 0      3,608 K

    svchost.exe                 3724 Console                 0      3,556 K

    svchost.exe                 1364 Console                 0      3,472 K

    ctfmon.exe                   528 Console                 0      3,360 K

    igfxsrvc.exe                3392 Console                 0      3,224 K

    igfxpers.exe                3336 Console                 0      3,012 K

    jusched.exe                 3892 Console                 0      2,948 K

    winlogon.exe                 940 Console                 0      2,880 K

    cmd.exe                     3480 Console                 0      2,784 K

    rndlresolversvc.exe         1276 Console                 0      2,404 K

    loggingserver.exe           1648 Console                 0      2,376 K

    sort.exe                    1120 Console                 0      2,344 K

    WLIDSVCM.EXE                2272 Console                 0      2,068 K

    HPZipm12.exe                 920 Console                 0      1,836 K

    FacebookUpdate.exe          3948 Console                 0      1,756 K

    lsass.exe                    996 Console                 0      1,692 K

    GoogleUpdate.exe             136 Console                 0      1,624 K

    taskmgr.exe                 3072 Console                 0      1,612 K

    jqs.exe                     2016 Console                 0      1,452 K

    agrsmsvc.exe                1792 Console                 0      1,408 K

    smss.exe                     632 Console                 0        436 K

    System                         4 Console                 0        408 K

    System Idle Process            0 Console                 0         28 K

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

    Image Name                   PID Session Name     Session#    Mem Usage

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-03-27T21:21:57+00:00

    There are two Dragon browsers open, one has one tab open. The other has two tabs open. The only other thing "open" was Task Manager, and the Command Console.

    (aside from AVG and Lightshot, which I realize sit in the system tray, among a couple other things; Realtek HD Audio Manager, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator Driver)

    edit to add:

    I have created another restore point, and stopped the following services via their Properties window(s) in services.msc :

    All have been stopped and set to manual, except two, as noted with (*), which were not started.

    I will run the previous Command Prompt commands after another reboot and pause with no programs open.

    (I wanted to be sure I could restart, and access the internet before going further).

    Agere Modem Call Progress Audio

    Computer Browser

    *Google Update Service (gupdate)

    HID Input Service

    RealNetworks Downloader Resolver Service

    *Skype Updater

    System Event Notification

    Team Viewer 8

    vToolbaUpdater 18.0.5

    Windows Live ID Sign-In Assistant

    Workstation

    Skype and Team Viewer tasks should probably have been handles through, or from, their own program consoles, I realize. 

    However, I am trying to weed through the things which were listed as 'automatic' on the list in services.msc

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