Solved Windows doesn't use page file on different drive

[djeyewater]

I recently bought an SSD and told Windows to use it for storing the page file on. I disabled the page file on my C:, but I would get an error message each time I started the PC that the pagefile size for C: was wrong (or something to that effect).

So I added a 512MB page file to the C: This got rid of the error on start up.

However, I was doing some memory intensive work today, and Windows popped up an error dialog saying that I was out of memory.

When I check the settings, it seems that Windows is refusing to use the SSD for paging now that a pagefile exists on the C:. It says the total paging file size for all drives is 512MB, i.e. what I set for the C:. I set the SSD to system managed. When I check the SSD, there is no pagefile.sys on there either. (There was when I had no page file set for C.

I gather that Windows requires some pagefile on C: for memory dumps. But how can I get it to use a pagefile on a different disk as well?

 

[pbcopter]

Try putting the page file on another drive other than B. Windows has issues, sometimes with drives A and B when used with other than floppy drives.

 

[bobafetthotmail]

Never EVER use drive A and B. They are there for legacy reasons. They will act funky unless used by floppy drives.
Change drive letter.

 

[gregrocker]

Since your question appears to be answered, as an aside may I ask why you're running a year 2000 theme instead of Win7's beautiful Aero graphics? If it's to save resources, Aero doesn't use that much more than without it.

To enable an Aero theme rightclick a blank area of the Desktop to choose Personalize.

 

[djeyewater]

Thanks for the help! I changed the drive letter as suggested, and now it shows 8703MB as available for paging, and the pagefile.sys file exists on the SSD.

It's rather annoying that MS didn't bother adding a warning when you set a drive to A: or B: that it shouldn't be used with a non-floppy drive and can cause issues with Windows. I'd already set up some things pointing to the SSD, and now I'll have to change them to point to the new drive letter. I didn't realise before that using A or B was any different to any other drive letter.

Regarding the appearance of my windows, I don't find Aero any more usable, and since it uses up resources I don't use it.

 

[gregrocker]

It is a myth that Aero uses up resources. Modern hardware can more than handle it. We see instances where more resources are used with Aero turned off.

Sorry but I've never understood why some respond to beauty added to the world by turning it off. Win7 is beautiful. Yours is a deliberate attempt to make it hideously file-cabinet grey ugly.

In countless installs I've done I always gift the new owners with the entire world's national-editions collection of Win7 backgrounds, and without fail it is the thing which they like the best. These are perhaps the most beautiful world scenic pictures ever taken: http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/...on-scenery-regional-wallpapers-free-download/

 

[bobafetthotmail]

I don't find Aero any more usable, and since it uses up resources I don't use it.

It actually frees up CPU. Windows older interfaces run on the CPU, Aero moves the load on the GPU (graphic card) which most of the times is sitting there doing nothing. When gaming it's Aero is disabled so there is no performance hit.

 

[Wrend]

Sorry for the continued meaningless derailment of this thread by personal aesthetic and efficiency preferences, but I thought I might as well add in my 2¢ worth.

I use Aero, but I have a soft spot in my heart for the classic Windows 2000 style view. I like it much more than the normal Windows XP look, for example. And actually, I'm pretty close to being on the fence in regards to using Aero vs. Classic. Classic is easier for me to navigate and see what I'm looking at, and it just feels overall more streamlined and efficient, less pretentious, and has a nice retro feel. However, I do actually like the look of Aero, at least how I have it set up on my PC, and it works well enough.