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?

Saving the image to the cd doesn't create a 'bootable cd', automatically, though. In 'Data cd/dvd', there is a setting to create bootable cd, but when I select the file from the folder, it is telling me that it is the incorrect format. Using 'Image to Disc', it saved the image to disc, but the disc is not in bootable format, like this. Strange..

"Yes, put the CD in the drive and reboot the machine, to boot the CD you may have to press a key when the computer is starting, you might see a message on the screen telling you to press a certain key to boot the CD." Thanks! That helps! I did get the image file to burn to cd, but the cd is not bootable. Yet. edit to add: (in Toshiba disc Creator) To Select ' Create Bootable CD ', I have to go to ' Data CD/DVD ', and not ' Image to CD '. It's confusing as H*ll. But, when selecting the file in 'create bootable cd, it is from the drop list, not the picture. And, it is telling me that the file is not the correct format, yet I know that it is .iso disk image from the website where we get the Windows Memory Diagnostic utility. I selected ' Save CD Image to Disk ' (to save the bootable cd image). That IS what we are doing... My other laptop with Windows 7 is a Samsung. Maybe I can use that.

I was unable to get that other software to even download. (ImgBurn) "Error downloading File Not Found: (404)" But, I did get some Mobogenie app or toolbar which I had to remove You selected a wrong link. You have to be careful on these sites as they get some of their revenues from ads to support their web site and the freeware they kindly make available to the rest of us. They have no control over the ad content, someone just pays them to manage and place the ads so unfortunately the ads and popups are often from crooks and unscrupulous scam artists trying to get "victims" to click on their pop-up or download links so they can deliver their unwanted payload. The download page is here , but even there you have to be careful because there is yet another very prominent green "Download Now" button designed to fool users to download an unwanted pest! Select your download from one of the mirrors. But even there you have to be careful because some of the mirrors are also filed with ads and misleading pop-ups designed to fool and get you to download more pests! This is a direct download link to the download provided by the ImgBurn mirror. John

The terms may be subtle but you don't want to create a bootable as such, you want to burn an image. You would use the "create a bootable disc" to extract a boot sector from a disk (like a Windows XP CD) and then use it to create an ISO image of the whole CD, the ISO image can then be burned to a CD and it will be bootable. You already have the .iso file, you don't need to create a new one you only need to burn it to CD, the CD burner software has to know how to handle the file, it has to have a "Burn ISO image" function. As I said in another post, this is easy as pie with Windows 7, just put a blank CD in the drive and right click on the .iso image and select burn... that's it. John

It was the ImgBurn download which I selected, but for some reason, the install would not finish. But, I also notice that there are many 'Download' buttons on the web pages. I will be very careful. Well, I should be good then, because I saved the image to drive, then saved the image to cd using Toshiba cd Creator, as we saw in the tutorial link you had. I put the created cd in the machine with the XP OS, and nothing happened. I opened My Computer, and could see a file on the cd. I'll try it on the machine where I created it. I am about ready to pull the old RAM card out of the machine, and boot up with the new card to observe its behavior, but I also want to have this memory diagn. cd to use, as well.

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

2014-03-31T03:43:23+00:00

Saving the image to the cd doesn't create a 'bootable cd', automatically, though. In 'Data cd/dvd', there is a setting to create bootable cd, but when I select the file from the folder, it is telling me that it is the incorrect format.

Using 'Image to Disc', it saved the image to disc, but the disc is not in bootable format, like this. Strange..
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2014-03-31T03:46:27+00:00

"Yes, put the CD in the drive and reboot the machine, to boot the CD you may have to press a key when the computer is starting, you might see a message on the screen telling you to press a certain key to boot the CD."

Thanks! That helps!

I did get the image file to burn to cd, but the cd is not bootable. Yet.

edit to add: (in Toshiba disc Creator)

To Select 'Create Bootable CD', I have to go to 'Data CD/DVD', and not 'Image to CD'.

It's confusing as H*ll. But, when selecting the file in 'create bootable cd, it is from the drop list, not the picture.

And, it is telling me that the file is not the correct format, yet I know that it is .iso disk image from the website where we get the Windows Memory Diagnostic utility. I selected 'Save CD Image to Disk' (to save the bootable cd image). That IS what we are doing...

My other laptop with Windows 7 is a Samsung. Maybe I can use that.
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2014-03-31T12:08:55+00:00

I was unable to get that other software to even download. (ImgBurn)

"Error downloading File Not Found: (404)"

But, I did get some Mobogenie app or toolbar which I had to remove

You selected a wrong link. You have to be careful on these sites as they get some of their revenues from ads to support their web site and the freeware they kindly make available to the rest of us. They have no control over the ad content, someone just pays them to manage and place the ads so unfortunately the ads and popups are often from crooks and unscrupulous scam artists trying to get "victims" to click on their pop-up or download links so they can deliver their unwanted payload.

The download page is here , but even there you have to be careful because there is yet another very prominent green "Download Now" button designed to fool users to download an unwanted pest! Select your download from one of the mirrors. But even there you have to be careful because some of the mirrors are also filed with ads and misleading pop-ups designed to fool and get you to download more pests!

This is a direct download link to the download provided by the ImgBurn mirror.

John
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Anonymous

2014-03-31T12:23:23+00:00

The terms may be subtle but you don't want to create a bootable as such, you want to burn an image. You would use the "create a bootable disc" to extract a boot sector from a disk (like a Windows XP CD) and then use it to create an ISO image of the whole CD, the ISO image can then be burned to a CD and it will be bootable. You already have the .iso file, you don't need to create a new one you only need to burn it to CD, the CD burner software has to know how to handle the file, it has to have a "Burn ISO image" function.

As I said in another post, this is easy as pie with Windows 7, just put a blank CD in the drive and right click on the .iso image and select burn... that's it.

John
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Anonymous

2014-03-31T15:38:41+00:00

It was the ImgBurn download which I selected, but for some reason, the install would not finish.

But, I also notice that there are many 'Download' buttons on the web pages. I will be very careful.

Well, I should be good then, because I saved the image to drive, then saved the image to cd using Toshiba cd Creator, as we saw in the tutorial link you had.

I put the created cd in the machine with the XP OS, and nothing happened. I opened My Computer, and could see a file on the cd.

I'll try it on the machine where I created it.

I am about ready to pull the old RAM card out of the machine, and boot up with the new card to observe its behavior, but I also want to have this memory diagn. cd to use, as well.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments