[dba-Tech] Petulant PC

Hale, Jim Jim.Hale at FleetPride.com
Fri Jun 8 13:21:23 CDT 2007


Thanks, makes sense, I'm going to give this a try.
Jim H

-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of jwcolby
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 12:47 PM
To: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues'
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Petulant PC


Jim,

We all know what fragmentation does to file access, and if the swap file
is dynamically created, then it could have dozens or even hundreds of
fragments, just the luck of the draw.

The theory is that with a dedicated partition you can build a fixed size
swap file, which is built all at once, in a partition with no
fragmentation so the swap file is never fragmented.  If you must put
your swap file on the main C: drive, then DEFRAG the disk very well, and
then create a fixed size so that it never changes.  It will likely still
be somewhat fragmented but won't get more fragmented. 

Even if you allow the system to dynamically change the size of the swap
file, theoretically it adds / subtracts from the end of the file so it
still isn't fragmented.  However you will see some speed impact as it
stops what it is doing to "grow" the swap file.

That's the theory.  Does it work that way?  Yes.  Does it have a major
impact?  How do you tell?  Does it "waste space"?  Yea.  But with a 93gb
(real) hard disk, setting aside 4 gig or so for a dedicated swap
partition (for 2 gigs of real RAM) is not going to break the bank.

In fact I have read that you really should have a fixed size swap file
on EACH disk.  Whatever I was reading claimed that XP would use the swap
file on a given disk for swapping the data being used from that disk.  I
have no idea whether that is true or not and seems to be taking it to
extremes.

John W. Colby
Colby Consulting
www.ColbyConsulting.com 
-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Hale, Jim
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 12:26 PM
To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Petulant PC


<I like to run a dedicated swap file partition> What advantages have you
seen from this? Doesn't this "waste" space if the partition is too big?
Jim Hale


***********************************************************************
The information transmitted is intended solely for the individual or
entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or
privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other
use of or taking action in reliance upon this information by persons or
entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you have
received this email in error please contact the sender and delete the
material from any computer. As a recipient of this email, you are
responsible for screening its contents and the contents of any
attachments for the presence of viruses. No liability is accepted for
any damages caused by any virus transmitted by this email.

_______________________________________________
dba-Tech mailing list
dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com
http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech
Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com

_______________________________________________
dba-Tech mailing list
dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com
http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech
Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com

***********************************************************************
The information transmitted is intended solely for the individual or
entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or
privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or
other use of or taking action in reliance upon this information by
persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited.
If you have received this email in error please contact the sender and
delete the material from any computer. As a recipient of this email,
you are responsible for screening its contents and the contents of any
attachments for the presence of viruses. No liability is accepted for
any damages caused by any virus transmitted by this email.




More information about the dba-Tech mailing list