The swap file (SWAPPER.DAT) is the file where OS/2 2.0 stores those memory pages it moves out of memory. The SWAPPER.DAT file defaults to the system startup partition. This can be changed during installation or later in the CONFIG.SYS file. When the path and default size for the swap file are changed in the CONFIG.SYS file, it takes effect the next time the operating system is started.
The operating system automatically pre-allocates the SWAPPER.DAT file based on the size (in MB) of installed memory. This optimizes performance and reduces disk fragmentation (file scattering).
To change the pre-allocated size in the CONFIG.SYS file, modify the
SWAPPATH= statement (sizes are specified in KB). To customize the
swap file size for a particular environment, modify the default value
to reflect the smallest default value, according to Table 1 (for
example, 2MB); then restart the system. Start the desired
application, view the OS2
\SYSTEM
\SWAPPER.DAT file and
record the size periodically. Take the largest size that you record and
add 1-2MB. If this size is larger than the recommended size in Table
,
choose the larger value.
The MINFREE parameter in the SWAPPATH= statement determines when the partition containing the SWAPPER.DAT file is running out of space. The first warning that displays indicates that there is less space than the amount in the MINFREE parameter. To avoid receiving the warning message, delete some space or adjust the MINFREE value to a smaller value.