Problem for creating ReadyBoost on a RAMDisk

[imran hossain]

Hi,

I want to create a ReadyBoost on a RAMDisk (manually), for this I did the following things
- Set the registry value for this device at the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\EMDMgmt\"Corresponding device Name" as
-- CacheSizeInMB = 0x0000010e (270)
-- CacheStatus = 0x00000001 (1)
-- DeviceStatus = 0x00000002 (2)
-- DoRetestDevice = 0x00000000 (0)
-- HasSlowRegions = 0x00000000 (0)
-- LastTestedTime = 0x00000000 (0)
-- PhysicalDeviceSizeMB = 0x0000017f (383)
-- ReadSpeedKBs = 0x3b9aca00 ( 1000000000 )
-- RecommendedCacheSizeMB = 0x0000010e (270)
-- USBVersion = 0x00020000 (131072)
-- WriteSpeedKBs = 0x3b9aca00 ( 1000000000 )

- Restart the "ReadyBoost" service

The RAMDrive has not configured as ReadyBoost and the "readyboost.sfcache" has not created on the RAMDrive; If I right click on the RAMDrive and configure it as ReadyBoost from properties then it works properly; the "readyboost.sfcache" file has been created on the drive also and the registry value has been set as above. One more thing, The same procedure I have followed for a USB Flash drive and it can be configured as ReadyBoost by both way.

NB: To make a ReadyBoost on RAMDisk, the RAMDisk type must be USBDrive Type.

Could anybody please tell me how can I solve the problem?

Thanks in advance,
Imran

 

[Denithor]

You're basically trying to bypass the entire benefit of ReadyBoost.

ReadyBoost was designed to use a "permanently attached" USB drive to hold various programs in a preloaded state so load times are faster. It's intended as a workaround for systems that don't have enough RAM (Vista will load stuff into your unused RAM so it's available immediately when you start programs - called SuperFetch). If you are on a low RAM system you can instead plug in a USB drive & Vista will provide the same function through ReadyBoost, albeit it won't be quite as fast as SuperFetch.

What you're doing is taking a chunk of system RAM, converting it to a RAMdisk (so it's no longer useable by Vista as memory) and then trying to use it as a ReadyBoost device. That's like walking around your house to use the back door you leave unlocked instead of just unlocking the front door and entering there.

Unless you've got a specific reason for a RAMdisk just leave the memory available for Vista and it will optimize use to give you the best experience possible. Valid uses for a RAMdisk would include a small portion (1-2GB, depending on workload & available RAM) for use as a Photoshop scratch disk. That size is useful if you work with files that large (adjust downward if you don't) and have lots of available RAM (8GB or more).

 

[taltamir]

using a ramdisk for ready boost LOWERS performance compared to having that space available as pure ram.

What you're doing is taking a chunk of system RAM, converting it to a RAMdisk (so it's no longer useable by Vista as memory) and then trying to use it as a ReadyBoost device. That's like walking around your house to use the back door you leave unlocked instead of just unlocking the front door and entering there.

a better analogy is, to get from one room in the house to another, walk out of the house, towards the window, break the window, and climb in over shattered glass to get in.