Zalek,
exactly how old is this laptop?
Because it's "old", it my not have a great deal of RAM and as a result it
will use a larger swapfile (pagefile.sys). When this happens, ur hard drive
WILL work overtime coz it's got to swap the memory from HD to RAM when it is
needed.
Solution 1 (Best)
increase the amount of ram to at LEAST 128MB. RAM is cheap as chips.
I am running XP Pro on an AMD 475 with 160MB RAM. No probs.
Solution 2
increase the size of the swap file manually.
to do this, goto:
control pannel
system
Advanced
Performance settings
advanced
Virtual memory > change
custom size
initial size > 250
max size > 500
Now, this is the easiest way to reduce the HD working overtime.
BUT, i don't do it exactly that way.
The best way to have ur swap file is DEFRAGMENTED. meaning that it is 1
continuous file on ur HDD, not bits and pieces here and there. if it is one
continuous file, ur HDD will not work as hard skipping from one part of the
dsk to the other.
to make it into one size, you will need 2 partitions.
follow these steps.
when u specify the size of ur swap file, keep it on ur C: if its not
already. if it's not, change it to c: and reboot.
now, defrag ur D: (accessories > sys tools > defrag)
then, go back to ur swap file settings and change it to ur D: and keep the
min size large (i have mine at 400MB)
reboot and rejoice.
after this is done, you can go back to defrag and click analyze for ur D:.
the picture map will display a green portion of ur drive. that should not be
1 block. that's ur swap file.
Again, RAM is cheap and go buy some for the 'top.
Good luck.
