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?

Thanks! I will look into SysInternationals Process Explorer. And, the article you referenced would seem to explain all the multiple instances of Dragon running in Processes, even though there are only 2 browsers (or windows?) open, and 3 tabs in total. A initial look at the FSAutoStart program is interesting, and seems like a nice utility for stopping and then resetting or restarting services. The new RAM card arrived today. It is an identical card, in make andmodel to the 2GB card already installed. I assume i will power down the machine, open the case, plug the new card in to the open slot. then power the system on, and view the BIOS POST message to see that the additional RAM is recognised? Is that the basic first step, or all that should be necessary, as far as installing the additional RAM?

It's not very complicated, the RAM only goes in one way. Line up the slot near the middle of the memory stick with the slot in the memory socket on the board and push the stick evenly down until it "clicks" in place. Don't try to push the stick in by pressing down the middle or down one end only, push evenly at both ends. Don't force anything, it should go in smoothly but do push it firmly in place. Just be careful with static electricity, RAM is very sensitive to static electricity, touch the metal part of the computer case to ground yourself and discharge any static charge before you handle the RAM. Read more here: How to Install RAM / Memory inside your PC When you reboot the computer verify the POST information or go in the BIOS and see if the RAM is correctly reported. John

And, the article you referenced would seem to explain all the multiple instances of Dragon running in Processes, even though there are only 2 browsers (or windows?) open, and 3 tabs in total. Some of the extra processes are to isolate plugins and extensions, that way if these crash or misbehave they don't bring down the whole browser. John

A initial look at the FSAutoStart program is interesting, and seems like a nice utility for stopping and then resetting or restarting services AlacrityPC is the sequel to FSAutoStart, you might want to try this newer incarnation. Guide to Configuring AlacrityPC John

I have installed the new RAM (carefully, to avoid static, handling it by the edges, with the machine powered down, ensuring that the model number was correct, etc.). Upon a reboot, I observed the BIOS POST screen, and saw "4062MB Memory OK" and "4096MB Memory Installed". The system appeared to be 'busy', and the LED on the front of the tower would seem to indicate that the hard drive was 'doing something'. (Much more so than before, at boot up.) When I opened Dragon, as usual, it took a long time to open it, and did not load the page quickly, like before. Opening the second Dragon window caused the same result. They both seemed to lock up, and I got 'page unresponsive'. The internet connection was made, but it seemed to have problems loading the page. Task Manager Performance tab showed a peak of over 4GB, which wasn't expected, and hadn't been seen since I had 4 Dragon windows (or browsers) open some days ago. Available Memory was very low. I will show a ss of what I see, at present. The only changes I made, the night before the RAM arrived, was to look at the list of Programs in Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel. I didn't keep record of what I removed, but I do recall only a few or a couple, and definitely only when I saw that the program was accessed 'rarely', or showed the last date accessed, as 2011, 2012. edit to add: I noticed when I restarted: Program not responding: e xplorer.exe 'End Now' / 'Cancel' edit 2 to add: I tried to Restore to a (Mar-27) Restore Point created prior to my second round of stopping/setting to manual any services. **Restore Failed.** I tried the first (Mar-25) Restore Point I created before I stopped/disabled/or set to manual any services. **Restore Failed.** I picked a System Point 2 days prior to that first point, and the system failed to restore to that point, as well. I was able to see what programs I removed on 3-28, listed in the System Restore calendar, as I was looking for dates to restore. None seemed critical: Windows Live ID Sign-In Assistant Skype Click-to-Call iTunes Apple Application Support Apple Mobile Device Support Apple Software Update The system just seems like it is 'doing something' every time I click on something, and it is reacting very slowly. Everything was fine when I powered down last night, to install the new RAM. Do I simply remove the RAM, and see if the conditions change? I restarted, and after allowing the system several minutes to settle, took a screenshot of Task Mgr Performance tab, ran memuse and services, tasklist sort, prior to opening anything else I will post the results in the following post.

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

2014-03-29T21:22:54+00:00

Thanks!

I will look into SysInternationals Process Explorer.

And, the article you referenced would seem to explain all the multiple instances of Dragon running in Processes, even though there are only 2 browsers (or windows?) open, and 3 tabs in total.

A initial look at the FSAutoStart program is interesting, and seems like a nice utility for stopping and then resetting or restarting services.

The new RAM card arrived today. It is an identical card, in make andmodel to the 2GB card already installed.

I assume i will power down the machine, open the case, plug the new card in to the open slot. then power the system on, and view the BIOS POST message to see that the additional RAM is recognised?

Is that the basic first step, or all that should be necessary, as far as installing the additional RAM?
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Anonymous

2014-03-29T21:57:42+00:00

It's not very complicated, the RAM only goes in one way. Line up the slot near the middle of the memory stick with the slot in the memory socket on the board and push the stick evenly down until it "clicks" in place. Don't try to push the stick in by pressing down the middle or down one end only, push evenly at both ends. Don't force anything, it should go in smoothly but do push it firmly in place.

Just be careful with static electricity, RAM is very sensitive to static electricity, touch the metal part of the computer case to ground yourself and discharge any static charge before you handle the RAM. Read more here: How to Install RAM / Memory inside your PC

When you reboot the computer verify the POST information or go in the BIOS and see if the RAM is correctly reported.

John
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Anonymous

2014-03-29T22:02:04+00:00

And, the article you referenced would seem to explain all the multiple instances of Dragon running in Processes, even though there are only 2 browsers (or windows?) open, and 3 tabs in total.

Some of the extra processes are to isolate plugins and extensions, that way if these crash or misbehave they don't bring down the whole browser.

John
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Anonymous

2014-03-29T22:27:49+00:00

A initial look at the FSAutoStart program is interesting, and seems like a nice utility for stopping and then resetting or restarting services

AlacrityPCis the sequel to FSAutoStart, you might want to try this newer incarnation.

Guide to Configuring AlacrityPC

John
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Anonymous

2014-03-30T13:38:26+00:00

I have installed the new RAM (carefully, to avoid static, handling it by the edges, with the machine powered down, ensuring that the model number was correct, etc.).

Upon a reboot, I observed the BIOS POST screen, and saw "4062MB Memory OK" and "4096MB Memory Installed".

The system appeared to be 'busy', and the LED on the front of the tower would seem to indicate that the hard drive was 'doing something'. (Much more so than before, at boot up.)

When I opened Dragon, as usual, it took a long time to open it, and did not load the page quickly, like before. Opening the second Dragon window caused the same result. They both seemed to lock up, and I got 'page unresponsive'.

The internet connection was made, but it seemed to have problems loading the page.

Task Manager Performance tab showed a peak of over 4GB, which wasn't expected, and hadn't been seen since I had 4 Dragon windows (or browsers) open some days ago. Available Memory was very low.

I will show a ss of what I see, at present.

The only changes I made, the night before the RAM arrived, was to look at the list of Programs in Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel. I didn't keep record of what I removed, but I do recall only a few or a couple, and definitely only when I saw that the program was accessed 'rarely', or showed the last date accessed, as 2011, 2012.

edit to add:

I noticed when I restarted: Program not responding: e xplorer.exe 'End Now' / 'Cancel'

edit 2 to add:

I tried to Restore to a (Mar-27) Restore Point created prior to my second round of stopping/setting to manual any services. **Restore Failed.**

I tried the first (Mar-25) Restore Point I created before I stopped/disabled/or set to manual any services. **Restore Failed.**

I picked a System Point 2 days prior to that first point, and the system failed to restore to that point, as well.

I was able to see what programs I removed on 3-28, listed in the System Restore calendar, as I was looking for dates to restore. None seemed critical:

Windows Live ID Sign-In Assistant

Skype Click-to-Call

iTunes

Apple Application Support

Apple Mobile Device Support

Apple Software Update

The system just seems like it is 'doing something' every time I click on something, and it is reacting very slowly. Everything was fine when I powered down last night, to install the new RAM.

Do I simply remove the RAM, and see if the conditions change?

I restarted, and after allowing the system several minutes to settle, took a screenshot of Task Mgr Performance tab, ran memuse and services, tasklist sort, prior to opening anything else

I will post the results in the following post.
Was this answer helpful?

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