USB flash - should I disable write caching?

[ShawnD1]

I have Firefox Portable installed on a flash drive. I've noticed that when I enable write caching (optimize for performance in hardware options), Firefox will completely freeze for a few seconds when loading pages. If I keep it set to not do write caching (optimize for quick removal), the browser does not freeze at all.

Is this an indication that flash works better when bits are written in small blocks rather than large blocks?

 

[amdhunter]

You know, I had the same problem with a Cruzer drive when I used it (briefly) as a readyboost drive. Occasionally, the computer would pause, and you'd see the drive light up. Disabling the cache stopped it completely.

What's funny is, other drives work fine. Is your drive also a Cruzer?

 

[ShawnD1]

Originally posted by: amdhunter
You know, I had the same problem with a Cruzer drive when I used it (briefly) as a readyboost drive. Occasionally, the computer would pause, and you'd see the drive light up. Disabling the cache stopped it completely.

What's funny is, other drives work fine. Is your drive also a Cruzer?

The one I use for Firefox these days is a 2gb Transcend which cost about $5 (not a high performance drive). It also happens on my OCZ Rally, a high performance drive (link).

I don't think it's a USB problem since I can run things like Fallout 3 from a 2.5" external and it works great. My ipod mini from 2005 (standard hard drive) also does not have any lag issues.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: ShawnD1

Originally posted by: amdhunter
You know, I had the same problem with a Cruzer drive when I used it (briefly) as a readyboost drive. Occasionally, the computer would pause, and you'd see the drive light up. Disabling the cache stopped it completely.

What's funny is, other drives work fine. Is your drive also a Cruzer?

The one I use for Firefox these days is a 2gb Transcend which cost about $5 (not a high performance drive). It also happens on my OCZ Rally, a high performance drive (link).

I don't think it's a USB problem since I can run things like Fallout 3 from a 2.5" external and it works great. My ipod mini from 2005 (standard hard drive) also does not have any lag issues.

I wonder if the controller in these drives matter at all. FWIW, I have a "readyboost-qualified" Kingston drive that worked fine when I tinkered with readyboost.