Dwarf

Hi Darren,

Whilst it is certainly true that you can disable the Paging File, it is something that I don't recommend doing. Vista, in common with previous versions of Windows, is actually designed to operate with a Paging File (AKA Swap File). By disabling it, you are forcing ALL programs running, be they background processes such as your AV program AND your foreground programs such as Excel (or whatever program(s) you run) to reside solely in RAM. At some stage, although you say you haven't yet, you are going to run into problems because of this. If you edit digital photos, you are probably aware that this can use your physical memory like it's going out of fashion. In this instance, having a disabled Paging File can cause your system speed to drop down to a crawl. Enabling the Paging File and leaving it using the 'System Managed' setting enables your system to make use of its RAM more effectively. A lot of programs run as background processes, and some, but not all, occupy both sections of the RAM and, providing it is enabled, the Paging File (this is only a temporary storage area, programs cannot actually execute here). It is only when these programs are invoked, such as when running Windows Update, that they actually need to occupy your RAM. At this time, data in your RAM which is currently not being used, is paged or swapped out to the file on your hdd to make room for the program that needs the space. When that data needs to be accessed again, it is simply moved back in to RAM and other data not currently required is paged out. If you don't want to have a Paging File on your new hdd, then I suggest that you install another hdd (20-30GB should be an ample size), and use that as a dedicated drive solely for the use of your Page File.
Dwarf