windows xp embedded vs non-embedded ? regarding solid state / flashdrives.

[jameshanley39]

hi

I am interested in windows xp embedded's advantages, in terms of the
issue of reading/writing to a flash "disk" drive. (I happen to be
referring to IDE flash drives, small ones like 2GB)


I notice some of them have an endurance of 1,2,4 million r/w
cycles. (or as some say, write/erase cycles). And the cheap ones only
10,000

Regarding these ones with an endurance in the millions

Would regular windows xp kill off one of these things if virtual
memory was being used?
Apparently one can run regular windows xp, without a page file.
Is there then any advantage in running Windows XP Embedded?

Is it the case that windows xp with no paging file, would still kill
off a 10,000 endurance flash disk. And so windows xp embedded, which
I hear can block all writes to the disk except when you deem then
necessary.. Apparently that will let it run nicely on it.

There are currently laptops being sold with -big- flash disks - solid
state drives. Typically 8GB and higher. They I imagine, are running
windows xp normally.. Even Vista. Have they set the paging file off?
How are they managing it?

 

[Mike Warren]

Would regular windows xp kill off one of these things if virtual
memory was being used?

I can't specifically answer your question, but Windows is constantly
writing to the drive, even with no paging file. This problem is
overcome in XPe by using the Enhanced Write Filter or File Based Write
Filter.

 

[Sean Liming \(MVP\)]

Mike is correct about the constant reads and writes. the different filters
will help to mitigate the risk, but writes can still occur as drivers are
loaded and unloaded during startup and shutdown.

--
Regards,

Sean Liming
www.sjjmicro.com / www.seanliming.com
Book Author - XP Embedded Advanced, XP Embedded Supplemental Toolkit

 

[Mike Warren]

but writes can still occur as
drivers are loaded and unloaded during startup and shutdown.

Yes, I hope MS are giving this issue priority.

 

[Kevin Bulgrien]

hi

I am interested in windows xp embedded's advantages, in terms of the
issue of reading/writing to a flash "disk" drive. (I happen to be
referring to IDE flash drives, small ones like 2GB)

I notice some of them have an endurance of 1,2,4 million r/w
cycles. (or as some say, write/erase cycles). And the cheap ones only
10,000

Regarding these ones with an endurance in the millions

Would regular windows xp kill off one of these things if virtual
memory was being used?
Apparently one can run regular windows xp, without a page file.
Is there then any advantage in running Windows XP Embedded?

Is it the case that windows xp with no paging file, would still kill
off a 10,000 endurance flash disk. And so windows xp embedded, which
I hear can block all writes to the disk except when you deem then
necessary.. Apparently that will let it run nicely on it.

http://www.storagesearch.com/ssdmyths-endurance.html seems to help cut
through the FUD.