Configure the virtual memory in Windows Vista

If you don't have too much RAM installed on your system it can be a good idea to increase the size of your virtual memory. Even if your computer has plenty of RAM available, you might still want to configure the size of the swap/paging file or it's location.
As you will see, configuring the virtual memory in Windows Vista is easy. Just follow these steps:

• First, go to your Desktop and right click on Computer. From the right click menu select “Properties”.
• In the System window, simply click on “Advanced system settings”.
• The System Properties window will open directly at the “Advanced” tab. Go to the Performance section and click on the “Settings” button
• In the Performance Options window you will see the current size of the swap/paging file. To configure it click on “Change”.
• By default, Windows Vista manages the paging file size for all your drives. To change this, first you need to deselect the checkbox from the top.
• You can customize the paging file size for each of your drives. By default, the paging file is placed on the "C:" drive and it's automatically managed by the system. If you want to use another partition, select "C:", check the No paging file option and click on “Set”.
• Now you need Windows Vista to create the paging file on another partition. Click on the partition you prefer and then select “Custom size or System managed size”.
If you want to have a custom size paging file you will need to type the initial and the maximum size. For the initial size you should have a few hundred megabytes (usually something close to the amount of RAM installed) and for the maximum size approximately 2.5 - 3 times the size of your RAM.
Some enthusiasts recommended using a fixed size paging file (the same initial and maximum size). If you want to go for this approach the size should be 2.5 - 3 times the size of your RAM. Having a small paging file might affect the performance of your running applications, especially if you are working with applications that require lots of memory.
• When you are done making all the necessary changes, click on OK. If you increased the size of the paging file, Windows Vista won't require a restart to apply the changes. However, if you decreased the size or changed the location of the paging file you will need to restart your PC in order for the changes to take effect.

WHAT IS A FIRE WIRE PORT?

The FireWire port is an Apple® original creation and is denoted by the Standard IEEE-1394 which preceded the USB port. Both ports (standards) were designed with the same goals.

FIRE WARE SYMBOL

Its original intention was for usage with devices requiring large data transfer/movement. Some of these devices were DVD players, digital audio equipment, etc.

Even though IEEE-1394 is faster than USB, they share certain similarities and also differ in certain ways. Let's itemize some of these similarites and differences:

• Both USB and IEEE-1394 use Serial Bus Standards and twisted-pair cabling to transfer data.
• USB has a transfer rate of approximately 12Mb/s compared to IEEE-1394 at up to 400Mb/s.
• Its technology makes it better suited for use in high-end applications such as digital video where it is important to move data extremely fast.
• 127 devices per bus can be handled by USB while only 63 devices can be handled by IEEE-1394.
• Both these standards support Isochronous devices - devices which require a certain amount of bandwidth for data streaming such as streaming audio and video.
• Both devices support 'hot swapping' - been able to plug and unplug devices at anytime without powering down device.
• FireWire's complexity causes it to be more expensive to implement than USB.
• To move video data from a videotape to a computer in real time you need to have a 'wide pipe' and FireWire was the perfect technology for this.
• This port is found on all digital camcorders and cameras where high throughput is a necessity.
• It far out-performs USB 2 and multiple devices can be directly connected to each other for extended distances without the use of a computer. This configuration is called peer-to-peer.
• USB devices are 'passive' and controlled by a single external host controller. FireWire devices on the other hand are 'active' each with its own embedded controller circuitry; hence its higher cost compared to USB 2.

If FireWire devices don't need a PC, then it should contain all the necessary circuitry required to control data movement.

The revised technology is now referred to as IEEE-1394b and uses a slightly different connector with throughputs up to 3.2 Gbps eight times faster than the previous standard (IEEE 1394).

In summing up, most digital video camcorders/cameras are now equipped with a FireWire (IEEE-1394) port and downloading camcorders/cameras to a PC is now a snap!

As prices for these devices decrease, home video productions will become more popular.

Even though the cost of FireWire is relatively high in comparison to USB 2.....you get what you pay for!