Tips for optimizing the performance of Microsoft Access and your system

The following guidelines can help you optimize the performance of Microsoft Access on your computer:

• If you're using databases that other users don't need to share, install Microsoft Access and all your databases on your hard disk drive rather than on a network server.
  
  
• If you are the only person using a database, open the database for exclusive use; in the Open dialog box, click the arrow next to Open button, and then click Open Exclusive.
  
  
• Make more memory available by closing applications that you aren't using.
  
  
• Increase RAM on your computer. If you are running Microsoft Windows 95 or later, 24 MB of memory is recommended — 16 MB plus an additional 8 MB of memory for Microsoft Access. If you are running Windows NT 4.0 or later, 40 MB of memory is recommended — 32 MB of memory plus an additional 8 MB of memory for Microsoft Access.
  
  
• Don't use any of your RAM for a RAM disk.
  
  
• Periodically delete unnecessary files and empty your Recycle Bin, compact your databases, and then defragment your hard disk with the Microsoft Windows Disk Defragmenter. To run the Disk Defragmenter, click the Windows Start button, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmenter.
  
  
• In most cases, the default virtual memory setting used by Windows should perform optimally. However, in some situations, adjusting virtual memory parameters can improve performance. If you've already tried deleting unnecessary files and you still have a performance problem, try changing the default virtual memory setting in the following cases:
  • You don't have much disk space available on the drive that is currently being used for virtual memory, and another local drive with space is available.
    
    
  • Another local drive is available that is faster than the current drive (unless that disk is heavily used).

  In these cases, you might get better performance by specifying a different drive for virtual memory.

  You also might get better performance by specifying that the disk space available for virtual memory be at least 25 MB minus available RAM. For example, if your computer has 12 MB of RAM, you should specify at least 13 MB of virtual memory. You may want to specify more if you are running several large applications.

  To change Windows virtual memory parameters, in Windows Control Panel, double-click the System icon, click the Performance tab, click Virtual Memory, and then click Let Me Specify My Own Virtual Memory Settings. Then specify a different hard disk, or enter a value in the Minimum box that is at least 25 minus your available RAM.

• If you have a wallpaper (full-screen background) bitmap on your Windows desktop, replace it with a solid color or pattern bitmap, or no bitmap at all.
  
  
• If you use a screen saver, use a blank screen saver or consider not using one at all.
  
  
• Eliminate disk compression software, or consider moving your databases to an uncompressed drive.

For more information on optimizing the performance of your database, see Chapter 10, "Optimizing Your Application," in Building Applications with Forms and Reports.