(1).

Faster PC system

Faster hardware, such as CPU, RAM, harddisk, motherboard etc, is the main factor for a fast system.

(2).

Faster RAM

Using 100 MHz RAM is much faster than using 66 MHz RAM for the same system.

(3).

More physical RAM

For the same system, more physical RAM will always lead to a faster system than fewer RAM.

(4).

Limit Windows' disk cache

Windows will use all physical RAM for disk cache, so set the amount of RAM that Windows can use for disk cache ( [vcache] ) in system.ini ensure that more free physical RAM can be used by subsequent programs. Instead of swapfile in harddisk, programs can run faster in physical RAM. Here is a page that discuss the effect of disk cache.

(5).

Cleaner Windows

Windows with fewer software installed runs faster than Windows with many software installed.

(6).

Memory cleaning utility software

Since Windows doesn't clear memory garbage left behind by previous running programs and prevent subsequent programs to allocate continuous blocks of memory to run, the "memory cleaning" utility software such as Hurricane is helpful in improving system performance.

(7).

RAM drive

Using physical RAM as folder or drive to hold temporary files created by running programs, always yields a much faster system. However, if the physical RAM is not large enough, such as 32 MB or fewer, or running software which will create large temporary files, it is not recommanded to use physical RAM as temporary folder/drive.

(8).

Permanent swapfile

Using permanent swapfile (virtual memory) is much faster than using temporary swapfile.

(1).

Determine size of swapfile (virtual memory)

Add "Swapfile size" in System Monitor (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools,) or check the size of c:\windows\win386.swp file. Check swapfile's size before setting a permanent swapfile.



 

(2).

Fix the minimum size of virtual memory.

Set minimum size of virtual memory (Start > Settings > Control Panel > System > Performance > Virtual Memory,) but leave maximum size to free disk space. If you've Norton Utilities installed, use Norton Speed Disk to optimize the permanent swapfile after rebooting. The virtual memory fixed to be having a minimum size is considered a permanent swapfile by Windows 9x and Norton Speed Disk and it'll not be deleted after Windows has been shut down. However, if Windows needs a larger swapfile when running memory hungry software, it'll automatically enlarge the swapfile since the maximum of swapfile is not fixed.
 

(3).

Norton Speed Disk can be run without virtual memory

If you disable virtual memory, Norton Speed Disk still can be run without problem if the free physical RAM is large enough (10 ~ 15 MB.) The following screenshots were captured during a Speed Disk defragmentation session under no virtual memory environment.