Vista ReadyBoost Query

[Paddy]

I inserted a new, blank 1GB USB drive into laptop. Vista Home Basic
promptly asked if I wanted it to be used for ReadyBoost. I responded "Yes".
OK so far.

Subsequently when booted-up, Right-Click Computer Advanced System Settings -
Advanced tab - Performance (.... virtual memory) - Settings button -
Advanced tab - Virtual Memory Change ... button.

It shows "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives" is ticked:
"Paging file for each drive:"
C: System managed
F: (the USB stick drive): None

Total paging files for each drive:
Min allowed: 16MB
Recommended: 751MB
Currently allocated: 1024MB.

If I untick the "Automatically manage .." and select the USB stick drive, it
shows only 103MB available; this figures, because the USB stick drive "F:",
shows a "ReadyBoost.sfcache" file of 870,401kB, created at the time of the
latest boot-up; thus it seems to be creating or refreshing the paging file
on boot-up.

So - is it actually using that USB stick??? If so (based on its refresh of
the USB stick cache file on boot-up), why does it not show on the virtual
memory page? Or does the ReadyBoost on a USB stick have to be set up each
time the laptop is booted????

(BTW I have tried, logged on as Admin, to delete the USB paging file but it
refuses, saying I need permission! I thought I'd delete it, insert the USB
stick again and start from scratch - but Bill won't let me!!!)

TIA

Paddy

 

[Dreamsayer]

To remove the paging file on the USB drive, select the properties of the
drive from My Computer. On the ReadyBboost tab check do not use this device.

 

[Paddy]

To remove the paging file on the USB drive, select the properties of
the drive from My Computer. On the ReadyBboost tab check do not use
this device.

Thanks. I had read that ReadyBoost on a USB stick was useful with limited
RAM. This from MS:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/readyboost.mspx

**********************
Windows Vista introduces Windows ReadyBoost, a new concept in adding memory
to a system. You can use non-volatile flash memory, such as that on a
universal serial bus (USB) flash drive, to improve performance without
having to add additional memory "under the hood."
The flash memory device serves as an additional memory cache-that is, memory
that the computer can access much more quickly than it can access data on
the hard drive. Windows ReadyBoost relies on the intelligent memory
management of Windows SuperFetch and can significantly improve system
responsiveness.

****************************

I tried it - and it didn't seem to utilize it, as I queried in my post.I
gave up on it.

Paddy

 

[Doug]

If you do a google search for "Vista ReadyBoost Verdict" without quotes you
will find a general consensus that it is not worth bothering with. That is
in line with my own limited experience with it.
Doug

 

[Paddy]

If you do a google search for "Vista ReadyBoost Verdict" without
quotes you will find a general consensus that it is not worth
bothering with. That is in line with my own limited experience with
it.

Thanks, Doug. Seems to be like MS DoubleSpace of unhappy memory of the old
DOS days.

Paddy

 

[jdr.smith]

I second that, might be worth an outing if you have hardly any RAM,
say sub 1GB.
But I've tried it with 1GB and 2GB RAM and can't see that it makes a
jot of difference.

Jim.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks, Doug. Seems to be like MS DoubleSpace of unhappy memory of the old
DOS days.

DoubleSpace, in my view, was downright dangerous. At least ReadyBoost
isn't dangerous.