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

[cpowell]

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.

 

[centaur78]

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

 

[cpowell]

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.

 

[centaur78]

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...

 

[Victor S]

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.

 

[centaur78]

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...

 

[cpowell]

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?

 

[cpowell]

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...

That's exactly it

 

[centaur78]

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?

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

 

[Victor S]

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.

 

[cpowell]

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.

Sorry victor you're right I did mean SSD instead of HDD .

 

[OldMX]

"PAGE FAULT IN NON PAGED AREA" sounds like its time to run memtest for some loops...

 

[cpowell]

Well I just ran MemTest for nearly 4 passes. And i got one error. Which I guess means my brand new RAM is faulty?

I'm not actually running the RAM at the speed it's intended, i'm using the motheboards failsafe settings, the RAM is meant to be 1600mhz, but the board has set it to 1333mhz.

Do you think it's definitely the RAM or could it be motherboard/CPU?

It's so annoying cause I won't be able to work while waiting for the new RAM to arrive! Eughh!!

 

[centaur78]

Hmmm Seems odd .... based on the initial post you did mention that there were no errors why doing memtest and windows diagnostics..

anyways... one of the 4 GB sticks has got errors..., try individually testing them to seee which one is faulty.

 

[cpowell]

Well the thing is, I only ran it for two passes.

I think I really WANTED to believe it wasn't the RAM again after spending £90 to get some new stuff.

This time I left it on over night and woke up to that.

It's matched set anyway so i'd have to send it all back at once.

Could this problem be caused by the CPU or motherboard as well or is it very unlikely?

 

[centaur78]

There are different reasons why your RAM can go kaput....... like voltage fluctuation, humidity, temperature or could be a combination of all these in your system(or indirectly on your to motherboard) or could all as well be manufacturing defect on one of chip(s)... its just difficult to pinpoint or theorize on why this happened.....

Its not necessary to send them all back.... but...if you are getting it replaced under warranty... then its ok !!

I wonder... after all the fixes above are you still getting page faults ???? any kind of errors ????

 

[cpowell]

Ok here's what I'm doing now. I'm testing each of the sticks individually in slot one with motherboard set to factory default settings. I'm leaving MemTest to run for about 4 passes per stick. Do you think that's enough? It takes about 4hrs 30min each stick doing it like that. I'm on the second stick now...

 

[centaur78]

He Cpowell

I guess 4 pass per stick should be enough....as per your image you got your errors at the 2 or 3 passes...

one thing to do note is the with this experiment... you could confirm if the rams or the slots at fault...

let us know your feedback when finished...

 

[cpowell]

I'm on the third stick now and thus far no errors. I guess to test each slot I'll just put one of the sticks that already passed into two, three and four individually. It's going to be a very long and boring evening it seems...
=/

 

[centaur78]

Well if you are at the third stick... then what i suggest is ... wait till you individually test the 4th one as well.... in that case... if all the ram's pass... then you can atleast be sure ... that slots are the culprit..