[jack-o-bytes]

Hello everyone,

I have a computer that isn't exactly the fastest in the world. It has an Intel Pentium 4 3.2GHz and 2GB of 800MHz RAM. When I look into the performance tab on Windows Task Manager it usually says I have around 1500Mb of RAM Available. Now my question is. Why is the computer using the Page File even though it still has enough free RAM. Will it make it faster is I disable the Page File and force it to use extra RAM instead. Or is it something that windows needs to run smoothly?

Thanking In Advanced,

Jack-O-Bytes.

[crjdriver]

Some apps need a page file to run and will refuse to work unless it finds a page file.

Next some os use a suspend to disk option for sleep mode. This allows your system to recover from sleep mode even if there was a pw outage.

I would set a fixed page file size. Set it to the same size as your ram ie 2000 meg or 2gig.

As to whether it is going to help with speed, I doubt it. I am guessing you have a P4 most likely a prescott or northwood type core. That is going on 4yr old tech and has been overtaken by the newer intels and amd chips.

[jack-o-bytes]

I got the computer in 2007 from a shop called currys. It was brand new then and only came with an 80gb hard drive 1 dvd-rw and no graphics card. Since then I have put a 9400GT in and a 650w psu. no hard drive yet though. Is there a way I can copy all the data on the 80gb to a new 500gb sata disk and just plug and play with the 500gb? The motherboard has sata 150mbs I cant remember how many though I think 2 or 4. Thanks

[crjdriver]

Sure. Quite easy to do;

1 Connect the new sata drive. Do attempt to partition or format. Just install it like it comes out of the box.

2 Pw on your system and make sure the sata controller is set to native ide or standard ide. Not ahci or raid; save settings and restart with an acronis true image boot CD in the drive [CD set as first boot device]

3 Select source [old drive] and destination [new drive] Acronis will give you the option to resize partitions, keep the same size, or keep the same %.

4 Complete the clone process and then shutdown the system. Pull the pw connector from your old drive OR just remove the old drive. Now pw on and enter the bios. Check the boot order and that your new drive is listed as the boot hd. [It should however it does not hurt to check]

5 Once your are all done, then simply restart and make sure drive letters are correct.

FWIW I did just this [ide to sata] a while back on my network storage box.

Just make sure that when you finish the clone process, DO NOT reboot with both drives connected. This will insure drive letter problems.

[crjdriver]

One other thought; you may need to set the speed limit jumper on the new drive since your board does not support sata II.

[jack-o-bytes]

ok thanks mate that seems ok to do.