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    what was that RAM feature called?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by DutyHunter, Sep 30, 2007.

  1. DutyHunter

    DutyHunter Notebook Consultant

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    the thing where u can use a USB flash drive as additional ram for Vista?
    i hope it exists... i read it somewhere..
     
    DutyHunter, Sep 30, 2007
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  2. Eleison

    Eleison Thanatos Eleison

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    I think that was ReadyBoost.
     
    Eleison, Sep 30, 2007
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  3. loesjoel

    loesjoel Notebook Consultant

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    ReadyBoost, but don't expect it to be like RAM. It will help boost performance a little bit, but 1GB flash =/= 1 GB RAM. Hell 4GB flash =/= 1 GB RAM! That being said, I do use a 2GB SD card with ReadyBoosy on my computer to help out a bit.
     
    loesjoel, Sep 30, 2007
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  4. 000111

    000111 Atari Master

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    beware of readyboost when you wake from sleep. it will rewrite the WHOLE readyboost cache when it wakes (it's a bug). they should fix this with sp1, but until then i would consider turning off readyboost before you sleep to avoid your hard drive thrashing for 5 minutes on waking!
     
    000111, Sep 30, 2007
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  5. Waveblade

    Waveblade Notebook Deity

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    Waveblade, Sep 30, 2007
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  6. frozen sun

    frozen sun Notebook Consultant

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    never heard about that before (not saying its not true. just abt me)

    In that case, why shouldnt we consider detaching the flashdrive when system is waking up fomr sleep? If the system does not find the readyboost drive attached, it will go back to the old swap file and start working normally. Then after its awake, attach the readyboost again.. m just thinking loud here..
     
    frozen sun, Sep 30, 2007
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  7. DutyHunter

    DutyHunter Notebook Consultant

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    thanks for the tips and link! very useful.

    i cant find it on the Microsoft website... is the "ReadyBoost" feature available on all versions of Vista? does Home Premium have it?
     
    DutyHunter, Sep 30, 2007
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  8. booboo12

    booboo12 Notebook Prophet

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    booboo12, Oct 1, 2007
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  9. Eleison

    Eleison Thanatos Eleison

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    @DutyHunter:

    The first time you plug in a USB drive, Vista will actually ask if you want to use it for ReadyBoost.
     
    Eleison, Oct 1, 2007
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  10. DutyHunter

    DutyHunter Notebook Consultant

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    ah, thanks again for tips and links!

    "By golly, I think she's got it now!"
     
    DutyHunter, Oct 1, 2007
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  11. System64

    System64 Windows 7 x64

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    If you are using Vista SP1, there'll be an option to format the disk drive to exFAT. But it is not compatible with Readyboost.
     
    System64, Oct 1, 2007
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  12. kanehi

    kanehi Notebook Deity

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    Not all USB mem drives and even SD cards are compatable with readyboost and Vista will inform you of it. It requires a certain speed rating before it can use it.
     
    kanehi, Oct 1, 2007
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  13. zenpharaohs

    zenpharaohs Notebook Evangelist

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    Readyboost does not always do this. I watch the readyboost activity a lot, and it certainly doesn't always thrash after wake. I think part of this comes frome whether you are using a removable drive for readyboost or a non-removable one.
     
    zenpharaohs, Oct 1, 2007
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  14. frozen sun

    frozen sun Notebook Consultant

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    i went through some articles (anandtech, msdn..) on readyboost.. and there are some points to be noted before one says its not working/useful

    #1: RBD (readyboost drive) functions as cache memory and works like old XP's, caching most recent I/O.. hence it will usually mirror what is there in your RAM. So to get a huge benefit from RBD, make sure RBD size is bigger than your RAM. Otherwise you will be a blanket benefit. Nice but not very high.

    #2: Now assume u are very low on RAM and you want to run a game. If you find ur RAM is screaming 'mercy', RBD will come to help.. Then even if the RBD size is less than ur ram size, using RBD will be useful. Here, vista will use ur RBD as the main and RAM as supporting.. but make sure to use a very fast flash drive.
     
    frozen sun, Oct 1, 2007
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  15. Thomas

    Thomas McLovin

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    It's ReadyBoost & it's not like RAM think off it as extra HDD cache.
     
    Thomas, Oct 1, 2007
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  16. frozen sun

    frozen sun Notebook Consultant

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    Correct.. its not LIKE RAM, it is not RAM replacement, its is not RAM, not-not-not...

    it IS cache memory.. and what i wrote is the essence.. (after reading those articles) i believe its is like this.. the readyboost function is complimenting the superfetch (more or less). Superfetch is the superior caching process that vista boasts, unlike XP. With readyboost you are boosting the performance of Superfetch. That is why you get better starting time for your apps. And that exactly is the reason why RBD is NOT a RAM replacement..

    A RAM replacement would have given you a better starting time AS WELL AS a better performance during the app/game. But readyboost will just improve starting time..

    The second point i wrote is applicable when we start the program, (when the system is accssing its cache)
     
    frozen sun, Oct 1, 2007
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  17. frozen sun

    frozen sun Notebook Consultant

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    also will u be not using RAM to process what is on that cache?
     
    frozen sun, Oct 1, 2007
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  18. kanehi

    kanehi Notebook Deity

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    When I was getting low memory I adjusted my paging file set to 5gb. No more warnings.
     
    kanehi, Oct 2, 2007
    #18