I'm contemplating purchasing the Kingston, DTCR/2GB, Flash Reader, USB Flash Drive. From what I can investigate, a Flash Drive is seen by Vista more as a fast Pagefile.sys function rather than additional memory ergo the term "drive" vice "memory". In other words, due to addressing limitations, a Dual Core CPU can handle a max of 4GB of memory (the Quad maxes at 8GB). By using a Flash Drive, as a ReadyBoost application, you will not affect the amount of memory your computer sees. By using the Flash Drive in this manner, you are not exceed the 4GB barrier. Yes? If I am wrong, please educate me....

Secondly, to use the ReadyBoost functionality of the Flash Drive, is this a self fulfilling function of the Flash Drive. Or, is there an adjustment required to "turn on" the ReadyBoost? I think it's would be a setting off of the Device Manager, but I am not sure. Are all required system files automatically copied onto the Flash Drive to allow the ReadyBoost to work?

All guidance greatly appreciated. Some guru can earn a "Thanked" for this one.

I'm not too sure about readyboost, but I thought the 4gb limit was a 32bit addressing problem, I thought 64 bit solved that?

That is a side issue and deals with mathematics. My inquiry is about the Flash Drive and the ReadyBoot. If you want to buy me a Quad Core computer and sufficient memory, I'd be glad to test that for you.

The point there is that the Dual core processor tops out at 4,096,000,000 memory addresses or 2 to the 32 power. That's 2 to the zero power, plus 2 to the first power, etc. You do the math.

I'm fully aware of the math, I'm also fully aware that processors with 32 bit registers top out at 4gb of RAM.

My point was that CPU's with 64 bit registers are different and don't have the 4gb limitation and your math is wrong in the case of 64 bit processors, it would be 2^64.

I appologise for hijacking your thread.

lebo, 32bit actually tops out at 3gb...desktop grade motherboards stop at 4gb.

wabeard, if you plug in a usb "jump drive" as you crazy americans call them (apparantly) then it will use it as additional ram, not as a "pagesys" drive. This increases boot time and when you run out of ram, it will use the flash drive instead of the page file..never had to use the function yet.