Excessive and Unnecessary Paging File Activity

Last reviewed: November 7, 1997
Article ID: Q101041

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT operating system versions 3.1, 3.51, and 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server versions 3.1, 3.51, and 4.0

SYMPTOMS

The paging file is being accessed excessively and unnecessarily. In Performance Monitor it seems as if the paging file is being accessed constantly. Your hard drive is always making noise.

CAUSE

LargeSystemCache is activated (set to 1). Check the following subkey in Registry Editor:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\
   Session Manager\Memory Management

LargeSystemCache specifies, for a non-zero value, that the system favor the system-cache working set rather than the processes working set.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, edit the registry as follows:

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.

Change the value of LargeSystemCache to 0.

For more information regarding the effects of this registry change efer to the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

         Article ID:  q154075
         Title     :  Trimming LAN Manager Server Service to Tune
                      Applications

Additional query words: prodnt
corresponding
Keywords : ntconfig kbenv
Version : 3.1
Platform : winnt

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Last reviewed: November 7, 1997
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