NCSA Mosaic for MS Windows User Guide: Tips and Tricks

Optimizing Performance for Windows

Optimizing your system's virtual memory improves Mosaic's performance as well as the overall performance of Windows and your other applications. Windows 3.1x and Windows for Workgroups 3.1x users may improve the way their systems use virtual memory by reviewing the information below and implementing some of the suggestions.

Permanent Virtual Memory

If you use permanent virtual memory, Windows allocates a contiguous block of hard disk space for writing data. Because the data are written in a single space, performance improves. A limitation of permanent virtual memory is the possible limitation of disk space. If you have a full or very fragmented drive, there may be insufficient space to take advantage of permanent memory. If you can't get a reasonable size space for virtual memory, try removing old unused applications and defrag your hard drive.

Temporary Virtual Memory

If you use temporary virtual memory, Windows allocates blocks of space as needed anywhere on your drive, and data are written to any available block. Disk thrashing is associated with the use of temporary virtual memory because Windows is reading and writing data in fragmented parts all over your disk. The advantage of using temporary memory is that space is not allocated until it is needed. The main disadvantage is disk thrashing and a degraded performance when running large programs.

Changing Virtual Memory Settings

Change your virtual memory settings from the Control Panel by selecting the 386Enhanced program. Within the 386Enhanced program is a Virtual Memory... button that displays the current setting for your system. If you want to change the setting select the Change button. Windows displays total disk space and the amount it can allocate for permanent or temporary swap files.

Other Suggestions