The swap file is a hidden file on the hard drive of computers or laptops. To understand what a swap file is for, you need to know that it is used by the operating system in the same way as RAM. For example, if a large number of tasks are running and the amount of RAM is not enough, the page file comes to the rescue.
The physical memory of the computer in tandem with this file form virtual memory. When you install the operating system on a computer, the Windows XP swap file is automatically created and located in the root directory of the hard drive where the system and system files are located. Typically, the size of this file corresponds to the amount of RAM installed on the computer. Although now this is not necessary, because the amount of RAM has become much larger than before.
Many often wonder about whether a page file is needed at all. The answer is unequivocal - needed. Indeed, in the event of unforeseen failures, thanks to the swap file, it is possible to restore the operating system. Let's see what the process of setting up this file is.
In order for the system to start working faster, you first need to move the Windows XP page file to another hard drive. This will allow the system to process I / O requests that are constantly repeated much faster. After all, while it is in the download section, Windows sends requests to read from the disk and write to it both to the swap file and to the system folder. If this file is located on another disk, then the competition in the criteria and records will be significantly reduced.
But if the Windows XP page file is not in the boot sector, then in this case there may be negative consequences. Windows will not be able to create a file for emergency copying of memory and for saving information for recovery if a fatal error occurs in kernel mode. This can lead to long downtime.
In order to prevent this from happening, there is an optimal solution. You need to create one swap file in the boot section, and the second instance must be created in the section that is not used often, i.e. on another hard drive, if there is such a course. Ideally, you will create a separate partition where there is no data and system files. Then the operating system will first use the swap file from there, and not from the boot partition, which the system constantly accesses. For this determination, a special algorithm will be used.
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The bottom line when using a separate partition for this file is that the latter is not fragmented, unlike the case with it being in the boot partition. Indeed, as a result of constant changes in its size in the boot section, it begins to break into parts, which leads to a significant increase in the time for processing by the system.
Having completed all the tips and recommendations above, you will create the necessary conditions for accelerating, optimizing and restoring the operating system.
For the most part, the Windows XP page file will be used, which is located in the less loaded section. And the system itself will be properly configured to write the Memory.dmp file in case of a kernel mode error.