The exact performance gains you enjoy will vary depending on the amount of RAM you have (the less the RAM, the more the virtual memory used), the number
of applications you use at a time and the load they place on the system memory, and other similar factors. However, even if not perceptible, there will be some difference, which will be better than using the default virtual memory set-up. You can check the amount of virtual memory being used, by using the Task Manager in Windows and the System Monitor in Linux.

A maximum of four primary partitions is allowed on a hard disk. More than four partitions can be created by using logical partitions within an extended partition. If you want to use logical partitions for your Windows files, fiIl the first hard disk to the end with the extended partition, create your logical partitions and make sure to keep the Linux swap space reserved within the extended partition. Then, in Step 15, create a logical partition for the swap space instead of a primary partition. Note, h.owever, that this is not the optimal set-up for virtual meI)1ory.

If you have more than tWo hard disks and want to install more than two operating systems on them, you can jumble up the virtual memory partitions for them in a similar manner. However, note that cross swapping can be implemented best if you have as many operating systems as hard disks and install each as on a different hard disk. Also ensure that you keep the first partition on the first hard disk for Windows.



If you use IDE hard disks, the primary master is the first disk, the primary slave the second, the secondary master the third, and the secondary slave the fourth. However, for best performance, you shoul\1 make your hard disks masters on separate IDE channels (e.g., primary master and secondary master). For SATA hard disks, the disks are ordered according to the SATA ports on which they are connected.

Windows does not recognise/read Linux and UNIX partitions; so it is safe to place the swap partition for Linux/ UNIX on the hard disk on which Windows is installed. However, do not try to manipulate any Linux/UNIX swap or other partitions using the Windows disk management tool.

You can allot partitions for the virtual memory of an as on more than one hard disk with one partition on each hard disk. This will improve performance further. However, don't allot a virtual memory partition for an as on the hard disk on which the as itself is installed, else you will defeat the purpose of cross swapping.