Tip on improving Windows performance with a swap file

JAKARTA (JP): You simply have to have lots of memory when you work with Windows applications. While 4 MB is the minimum, 8 MB is the current standard and 16 MB is not a luxury. Fortunately, there's a way to add memory to your system without really going out to buy extra SIMMs.

When running in its 386 Enhanced mode, Windows may use one of two types of swap file, namely the temporary and the permanent swap file. The permanent swap file is better, as Windows bypasses DOS and uses BIOS to directly access the hard disk.

If your PC still doesn't have a permanent swap file, while you still have ample space available on your hard disk, this is what you can do: 1. Optimize your hard disk completely, using Norton Utilities or PCTools. Prepare an unfragmented, contiguous space on it. 2. Start Windows, open the Main group, and click on Control Panel. 3. Click on the 386 Enhanced icon. 4. Click on Virtual Memory. 5. Click on Change. 6. Set the size and type of the Permanent Swap File. You can use the suggested size of the swap file, if you like. The rule of thumb is that you need about 4 MB of swap file if your system has 2 to 8 MB of actual RAM.

You may also enable the 32 bit Disk Access for even better performance. However, don't do that on a portable computer equipped with power-saving features, or if your system does not support it.

One last thing: If you have more than one hard disk, put the swap file on the fastest hard disk in your system. Oh, yes, no matter how big the swap file is, you should still buy more memory if you upgrade.

--Zatni Arbi