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Using flash drive (USB drive) as Ram?

USB Flash Drive to RAM conversion?

  • I was told if I were using Windows Vista, I could plug in a USB Flash Drive and convert it into additional RAM. Is this possible and if so, how do I go about doing this?

  • Answer:

    If you have Vista, plug in a flash drive. it should be automatic. HOWEVER your flash drive MUST be fast enough for it to make a difference, otherwise Windows won't use it. Make sure the tumbdrive says it supports "ReadyBoost" If not, go to http://newegg.com and do a search for readyboost thumbdrives. And don't forget, there's nothing like Real RAM to make your computer happy. RAM is cheap as all get-out now.Bring it up to 4GB at least (only 64 bit versions of Vista can support more than 4GB).

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Someone was smoking crack when they told you that. Not possible.

zbalat

It is possible, but I definitely do NOT recommend it. Windows can extend its RAM onto Paging Files... which can be located on any drive on your computer. In theory it could be on a USB flash-drive... but I would not expect much increase in performance, and I would expect memory errors and crashes. It makes WAY more sense to just move some files from your Local Drive onto your flash, and then increase the paging file on your Local Drive. (Or just buy more RAM.) The ONLY situation I can imagine that this would be attempted would be on a barebones Netbook that doesn't have a real harddrive and you want to TEMPORARILY increase the RAM. If you just have to try it, first reformat the flashdrive to an NTFS filesystem. Flash drives usually use the more portable but much slower (for windows) FAT32 filesystem. (I hope Windows wouldnt even let you put a paging file on FAT32.) Then, you can change your paging file settings at (im on Vista, but should be the same for XP): right-click My Computer > Properties > Advanced system settings > under Performance click Settings... > Advanced tab (again) > under Virtual Memory click Change... But again, it's a stupid idea. You can seriously harm your computer messing with the memory.

Tim

well, i am not sure how to do this on vista but on xp, plug in the flash drive, then go to my computer, right click and then choose properties, then go to the4 advanced tab and click on settings under performance.then again go to the advanced tab and click change, the choose the drive letter that represents your flash drive and the change the numbers under custom size then make sure u save all the settings and the memory on the flash drive should work like ram and remember thats how ur supposed to do it on xp i'm not sure about vista

James

verry possible just when auto play come up click speed up my system or go to computer w.e slot the usb is in right click, properties, redyboost

vagas

dude u can do that.there is a free program called ebooster.it uses ur flash drive memory as ram

Serious

watch a video on how to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL5ZqxXHgT0

Shadow

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