Windows 7: How do I optimize the page file for an SSD? Windows 7 x64

Hi there.

I've been trying to figure out a way to optimize my page file on my SSD for the last few days. I keep ending up with MEMORY_MANAGEMENT errors or PAGE FAULT IN NON PAGED AREA.

I'm running an OCZ Vertex 3 128gb with only the OS and Adobe Web Design Premium suite installed on it and i'm already down to 60Gb.

The OS is automatically creating a 16GB-20GB page file on the HDD. I don't get why it's doing this because I have 16GB of RAM that barely goes past 30% usage even when I've got Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Illustrator open at the same time.

I've tried reducing the page file size to something like 4gb, and then i start getting those BSODS i mentioned, i tried moving it to my 2gb storage HDD, but I get BSODS.



I really have no idea what to do

Any help and advice would be great! Thanks guys

Also just to save time, I've ran MemTestx86 several times and had no errors, along with Windows Memory Diagnostic. This is brand new RAM that i bought a week ago, 16GB dual channel Corsair Vengeance, 4x 4GB sticks, all in a matched kit.

hi cpowell

Does your SSD and Windows have TRIM enabled ??

TRIM is a "command [that] allows an operating system to inform a solid-state drive (SSD) which blocks of data are no longer considered in use and can be wiped internally." In general, TRIM is the first line of defense in keeping your SSD alive

To check for windows try the below in the command prompt

fsutil behavior query disabledeletenotify

If the result is "DisableDeleteNotify = 0", that means that the OS is using TRIM..

To Check if your SSD support this feature try the CrystalDiskInfo - Software - Crystal Dew World

Hi again

I checked both of those just now.

The reply in command prompt was indeed: "DisableDeleteNotify = 0"

And you can see the screenshot attached to this post for CrystalDiskInfo.

It looks like it supports TRIM also.

All right now that its sorted out of the way... there are 2 things you can do.....

As per your post.... you did mention that on an average your memory usage is 30% of total memory even when ur heavily using the system.... So to avoid excessive writes to your SSD try below

First is Disabling the page file

1. Right click ‘My Computer' and click ‘Properties'.
2. Go to the ‘Advanced System Settings' tab.
3. Click Settings in the ‘Performance' fieldset, then go to the Advanced tab.
4. Click Change in the ‘Virtual memory' fieldset.
5. Click on your SSD drive, select ‘No paging file' and click ‘Set'.
6. Click OK when you're done.

Secondly move the page file from your SSD to a storage hard drive

1. First disable the page file as described above.
2. Then, click on your preferred HDD drive, select ‘System managed size' (unless you know what you're doing) and click ‘Set'.
3. Click OK when you're done.

On an average based on your usage it could be anywhere between 1 to 2 GB. You probably would also need to check this once to tweak it more... how your usage is ? if its more than 2 GB..... then i guess your Storage HDD needs to be more than 2 GB...for stability.

Try these and let me know...

Why do you think the paging/memory errors are related to the SSD?
Need more history, like what apps cause it, are the apps newly installed, etc.

Hi victor

Cpowell's concern is more related to how he needs to manage the pagefile on the SSD. As he already has 16GB memory...and windows is managing his pagefile... which puts is 16 - 20GB... thats a hit on the SDD space..

Second when he is trying to reduce the pagefile or moving the pagefile.... he gets BSOD's... hence i think they are more related to paging and memory errors rather than applications...

Basically in a nutshell every time I have tried to change the paging file in any way, for example move it to the storage HDD or just reduce it's size I end up at some point getting a BSOD which is either MEMORY_MANAGEMENT or PAGE FAULT IN NON PAGED AREA.

centaur78... That's probably what i'll try now, but I've read in a few articles that you should leave some sort of page file on the OS drive (SSD) to store memory dumps etc? It's a little of out my knowledge zone so excuse me if I'm saying/asking fairly dumb things...haha.

Is there any truth to that?

That's exactly it

Well.... let me put it this way.... memory dump will not be produced if the paging file is in another partition or drive. In that case you would need to uncheck "Automatic Restart" under System failure.... you can atleast see whats in BSOD...

If you want it... that defeats the whole purpose of what your trying to achieve

Okay, didn't know where he was because he said Win put the page file on "HDD."
You got him on the right track.
Don't know why BSOD when changing page settings unless an app using it was open. I've fiddled with page file setting often enough and never had an issue.
I have 8GB ram and keep a 500-1000 mb page file on a spinner.
No reason I can think of to put the page file on my SSD.
Never had an issue, but I don't run his apps.