How to Use USB Memory for RAM on XP

Format the USB Flash Drive

1. Insert the USB flash drive directly into an available USB port in your computer. Do not insert the drive into a USB hub.

2. Go to 'My Computer' and locate the drive. Take note of the name of the drive (for example, 'E:' or 'F:').

3. Right-click on the drive icon. In the menu that appears, select 'Format.'

4. In the new dialog window, make sure there is no check mark in the box 'Quick Format.' Click 'Start.' At the confirmation window, click 'OK.'

5. Wait for the format to complete. Depending on the size of the drive, this may take several minutes.

Configure XP Settings

6. Go to the Desktop. Right-click 'My Computer.' In the menu that appears, select 'Properties.' Click the 'Advanced' tab.

7. Look in the dialog windows for the title 'Performance.' Click the button that says 'Settings.' Click the 'Advanced' tab.

8. Look under 'Virtual Memory' and click the 'Change' button.

9. Look in the small window 'Drive [Volume Label].' Click the drive letter for your flash drive.

10. Click 'Custom size' and type in the minimum paging file amount in the 'Initial size (MB)' window. (Convert gigabytes to megabytes for the number.)

11. Type in the maximum size you want to allocate in the 'Maximum size (MB)' window, depending on the size of your flash drive. (Again, convert gigabytes to megabytes for the number.)

12. Go back to the 'Drive [Volume Label]' window. Select the 'C:' drive. Click the radio button 'no paging file' and click 'Set.' At the confirmation window, click 'Yes.'

13. Click 'OK,' 'OK,' and 'OK' to save your changes and exit the program. When Windows asks you to reboot your computer, click 'Yes.'