Readyboost confusion

[Mark Linehan]

I would like to use readyboost on my system, but am wasting money left and
right (LOL). I bought a thumbdrive, but it was too small and too slow. So I
bought an Emprex 4GB USB 2.0 and it says it is high speed, but when I try to
go into readyboost for it, it tells me "this device does not have the
required performance characteristics for use in speeding up your system."

I reformatted it for NTFS and it still does not work. Can anyone tell me
exactly what I need for a readyboost flashdrive?? Is there some way I can
get this 4GB to work? it says it is high speed. Any information is
appreciated, thanks.


--
Mark Linehan
http://www.markonline.info
<a href="http://www.joost.com/" title="Joost&trade;"><img
src="http://banners.joost.com/joost_002_en_120x60.jpg"
alt="Joost&trade;"/></a>

 

[Robert Moir]

I would like to use readyboost on my system, but am wasting money left and
right (LOL). I bought a thumbdrive, but it was too small and too slow. So I
bought an Emprex 4GB USB 2.0 and it says it is high speed, but when I try
to go into readyboost for it, it tells me "this device does not have the
required performance characteristics for use in speeding up your system."

I reformatted it for NTFS and it still does not work. Can anyone tell me
exactly what I need for a readyboost flashdrive?? Is there some way I can
get this 4GB to work? it says it is high speed. Any information is
appreciated, thanks.

You DON'T need to format it to NTFS
It DOES need to be plugged directly into the computer via a USB 2.0 port,
and not via a hub.
It DOESN'T have to have "High Speed" written on it (but it does actually
have to perform fairly well).
It DOES have to pass a few tests Windows performs to check if the drive and
the port it is plugged into are fast enough.

Are you using up-to-date USB controller drivers? And are the USB ports USB
2.0?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I would like to use readyboost on my system, but am wasting money left
and right (LOL). I bought a thumbdrive, but it was too small and too
slow. So I bought an Emprex 4GB USB 2.0 and it says it is high speed,
but when I try to go into readyboost for it, it tells me "this device
does not have the required performance characteristics for use in
speeding up your system."

I reformatted it for NTFS and it still does not work. Can anyone tell me
exactly what I need for a readyboost flashdrive?? Is there some way I
can get this 4GB to work? it says it is high speed. Any information is
appreciated, thanks.

"To use Windows ReadyBoost, PCs must be preinstalled with Windows
Vista^(TM) and have access to a non-volatile flash memory buffer with at
least 1GB of storage capacity. The flash memory buffer must also meet
the requirements for random reads and random writes specified in the
Windows Vista Logo "Storage-0009 WLP" specification:
.. 5 MB/sec throughput for random 4k reads across the entire device
.. 3 MB/sec throughput for random 512k writes across the entire device"

"Q. What does it mean to be "Enhanced for Windows ReadyBoost^(TM)?
A. The phrase "Enhanced for Windows ReadyBoost" will be used to market
flash devices that are large enough and fast enough to consistently work
with Windows ReadyBoost. A drive that is Enhanced for Windows
ReadyBoost must be at least 512MB and must have random read and random
write speeds of 5MB/sec and 3MB/sec, respectively."


--

Bruce Chambers

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[Peter]

The first USB flash drive that I've seen that actually is "Vista Compatible"
and comes in 4gb or 8gb is the Sandisk Cruzer Contour being released this
month.

--
Peter
Toronto, Canada
XP Pro SP2 x 2 + Vista Ultimate Triple Boot
P4 HT @ 3ghz, 4gb DDR, 700gb HDD
Soundblaster Audigy 4 PCI Sound
ATI Radeon X1650 Pro AGP Graphics

 

[Mark Linehan]

Okay I got this thing working tonight trying several different things. Which
is it that you think made it start working??

1. I turned on drive compression
2. I turned indexing on for the drive
3. I plugged it into a different USB port

Could I have a mix of USB 1.0 and 2.0 ports?? They all look the same. I mean
it doesn't matter much now because it is working with readyboost, but after
scratching my head so long I am curious.

 

[Hertz_Donut]

I would like to use readyboost on my system, but am wasting money left and
right (LOL). I bought a thumbdrive, but it was too small and too slow. So I
bought an Emprex 4GB USB 2.0 and it says it is high speed, but when I try
to go into readyboost for it, it tells me "this device does not have the
required performance characteristics for use in speeding up your system."

I reformatted it for NTFS and it still does not work. Can anyone tell me
exactly what I need for a readyboost flashdrive?? Is there some way I can
get this 4GB to work? it says it is high speed. Any information is
appreciated, thanks.


--
Mark Linehan
http://www.markonline.info
<a href="http://www.joost.com/" title="Joost&trade;"><img
src="http://banners.joost.com/joost_002_en_120x60.jpg"
alt="Joost&trade;"/></a>

You bought a no-name, bargain basement thumb drive. The manufacturer can
put any claim on speed he wants, as there are no clear
guidelines as to what a "high speed" thumb drive is.

Most reputable manufacturers, such as Sandisk, will label their thumbdrives
as "ReadyBoost Compatible". As with any hardware,
you get what you pay for. You opted for a cheap thumb drive that "appeared"
to be a good deal...but you should do your homework
before spending your money.

Honu

 

[Steve Saunders]

When I researched this question, the current answer was to obtain a 1GB
Corsair Turboflash drive. Costs a whopping $20 at Newegg. Works fine in my
Dell system, although how well ReadyBoost really works is subject to debate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820233043

Steve