Version 2.25?

To those who might be interested:
I decided on my version number based on I am in fact a junior or the 2nd, as well as I am 25 years old. I thought of adding .1 because I have a child that is almost 1 year old, but I thought that would be a bit too much.

Windows Vista/XP Page File (Swap File)

So you want to boost performance huh?
Well, one of my tricks over the years has always been to move the page or swap file onto a drive that isn't used much. For my desktop it happens to be a fairly decent size partition that I cut out of the linux drive. Now when I say partition I mean a division of the drives, when I say a drive, I'm usually talking about a Hard Drive.

What is a page/swap file?
A page file is simply a set of steps that are backed up onto the hard drive to help increase performace of your ram. It even acts as ram in some cases. if you have 10 steps lined up and your ram only allows 8 then about 6 of them will be in the ram and the other four will be in the page file. The page file will then be used with the other 2 parts allowed. Do more research if I'm not explaining it well enough.

Why can't I just use a partition?
You can but it isn't worth it. Think of your hard drive like a record, your needle does both the reading and the writing. Now picture that your partitions are about half the record inwards for the first one and the outside of the record for the second one. You put your partition for the page file on the outside (you really don't get to choose unless you get really techy) Your normal drive partition is on the inside. Alright, so your ready to start doing things. You start a few programs and the needle reads from the inside then has to write to your swap/page file so it moves to the outside.. back and fourth back and fourth. Now lets pretend this is any moving thing in the world, what is going to happen? I hope you guessed it, it's going to wear out, effectively reduce your computer speed, and cause your hard drive to disembark on it's journey prematurely. So you need 2 hard drives to increase performance this way, and you want your page file on the one you use the least.

Is partitioning it best?
I feel it's important to partition out the page/swap file. It helps to limit, and ensure space for the file. I recommend partitioning out the same amount of space for your page/swap file that you have in RAM rounded up. So if you have about 4 gigs of RAM then I'd partition about 5 gigs on average. This gives plenty of room. However if you choose to limit the page file then do so with more research.

Alright, what do I do?

Remember to partition your hard drive ahead of time. You can do this with the system tools. This will be it's own topic soon.


For Vista:
Start->Settings->Control Panel
Double Click System
Click Advanced Tab then on Settings Button under Performance
Click on Advanced Tab then Change Button under Virtual Memory
Select Drive you wish to have the page file on.
Change Settings to liking and click Set
Restart Your Computer

For XP:
Start->Settings->Control Panel
Double Click System
Click Advanced Tab
Click Settings under Performance
In the Performance Options Click the Advanced Tab
Click Change Under Virtual memory
Click the drive you wish to have the page file on
Set the amount of space, or allow the System Managed Size or No page file radio option to be selected.
Click Set
Restart Your Computer

Masters of Orion II

Masters of Orion II



Also typed as Masters of Orion 2, MOO2, and MOOII. This game is on my top ten list. I have been greatly upset because before my time the ten network was down, and I never really got to participate this game multiplayer until recently. For all you fans out there, like me, I have great news.



First, a no CD "crack": All you have to do is copy the cd into the install folder and then change the file orioncd.ini to the path of the cd. I am not promoting this as a method of distribute of this game. I am only promoting this for a way to not have to carry 20 CD's with your laptop. If you need more copies amazon.com has plenty to sell you.



Next, download and install the latest version of DosBox. My version is 0.72 and works just fine. Then you have to edit the dosbox.conf file. I suggest reading through the fine print to help manipulate your configuration file to best suit your computer. The main line we are looking to either uncomment (which every line with a # sign is commented out of the program, as in, won't run) is "ipx=true" if this line cannot be found insert it below all the lines under [dos] it should look something like this...
"
[dos]
# xms -- Enable XMS support.
# ems -- Enable EMS support.
# umb -- Enable UMB support (false,true,max).
xms=trueems=trueumb=true
[ipx]
# ipx -- Enable ipx over UDP/IP emulation.
ipx=true
"

If you copy and paste this, do not include the "s in your paste. Now you boot up your dosbox, mount the folder you wish to use, and start your server or join your host. To start your server type "ipxnet startserver" to stop your server type "ipxnet stopserver" to connect someone else type "ipxnet connect " Example "ipxnet connect 192.168.1.210" Be sure to allow the program through your firewalls and antivirus protections. Be careful on your settings. To start your game just use the simple dos commands to go to the install directory. usually "cd" followed by your folder names. Example "cd mps\orion2" then type orion2.exe or just orion2 to start masters of orion, now you can either start your game to host (if your the server) or join a game (if you connected to someone else).

Please comment on grey areas of this.