Windows Tweaks Logo Microsoft PC Help - 02 blue red
Windows Tweaks Logo Microsoft PC Help - 09 white 120

Windows XP - Problems with the performance focus tip

November 27, 2013
Updated: April 14, 2022
Quick overview:

A few users reported boot problems after using the LargeSystemCache-value, which you here have applied: The system does not boot up and a reinstallation was necessary - so far there have only been three cases, but there was no solution in sight. It has turned out that this trick not only causes problems with ATI Radeon graphics cards but also with onboard graphics cards with the Intel 82915g Express chip - the drivers perform some tests during startup which are not successful when using LargeSystemCache fail to materialize. This is also caused by the following factors:

More RAM than 512 MB

- High AGP transfer sizes are specified in the BIOS. At system startup (directly at the memory counter), press ENTF/F2to enter the BIOS - under Chipset Features Setup (or similar) you will find the option AGP Aperture Size. You can specify the transfer sizes here: You reserve an xMB window in RAM for the AGP port, to which all graphics cards are connected from around 1998, through which it can process the incoming data directly. Of course, 128 MB are not deducted from the RAM, for example, but are only available when the graphics card is in heavy use: games! We recommend using half of the RAM here!

Large NTFS hard disks (e.g. several 100 GB hard disks)

- Now I received an e-mail from Mr. Neururer informing me that the tip Stability and increased speed through performance focus is the culprit here. As soon as both tips are applied, this error also occurs in rare cases - we advise you not to use both tips at the same time without first backing up the system.
But why is that?
Windows reserves a certain number of System Page Table Entries (PTEs) in the main memory when the system is started. These entries are used for input and output operations, which could quickly become insufficient if the above-mentioned factors are taken into account - as they are determined automatically when Windows starts up, it is usually not necessary to specify them. Tuning freaks, however, can get a little more performance out of large file and memory operations and prevent this error message. You can find out how to increase this value in this tip!

So you should...

a) it is better not to use the performance focus in connection with the memory optimization (memory optimization is better to be preferred, as it brings more performance) or to undo it in safe mode and...

b) the LargeSystemCache briefly, as described in the tip, if you should actually use it.

c) increase the PTEs to create more space for I/O transfers!

I hope I have been able to help you with this little guide!

NOTE FOR NEW PUBLICATION: This article was produced by Sandro Villinger and comes from the Windows Tweaks archive, which has been built up since the late 1990s.

Founded Windows Tweaks as a teenager in the 90s. His helpful PC tricks made it Germany's most visited Windows site (at the time Sandro looked like this). He then went on to write elsewhere, for example for PC-Praxis, Computer Bild and PCWorld in the USA. Microsoft also poached him from us. Now Sandro is back, finally sharing his tweaks here again. For a stress-free digital everyday life. You can reach Sandro via e-mail.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Windows Tweaks Logo Microsoft PC Help - 09 white 120
by Real Tech Experts
Save time and nerves with expert knowledge about software, hardware, AI & Microsoft. 
Windows Tweaks Microsoft PC Help - SINCE 1998 - retina 2

Time-saving tips for PCs, laptops, Windows and software?

Subscribe to our newsletter, receive only our best tutorials & tweaks and exclusive tips for our subscribers. 
Newsletter form
Can be canceled at any time. About 1 - 2 mails per month. The consent includes the information on revocation, shipping service provider and statistics according to our Privacy policy.
© 1998 - 2025 Windows-Tweaks.info
Made in Germany with ❤️ 
For all technology users around the globe.
This website runs on 🌳 GREEN energy
crossmenu
EN