ReadyBoost drive format

[Sam Steinhauser]

What is the best format for a ReadyBoost USB drive? I got a SanDisk 2 Gb,
plugged it in and after a few prompts Vista had ReadyBoost runing. I noticed
I had 2 more drives in My Computer. I had the USB removable storage drive and
another drive listed as CD Drive (H:) U3 system. I decide this must be
something SanDisk sent on the flash drive and it only shows 1.91 Gb so I'll
format it. Vista wouldn't allow a format as the drive was in use and I wasn't
Vista savvy enough to turn it off at this time. I booted into XP and went to
format the drive and only had FAT or FAT32 options. I format it in FAT32 and
rebooted into Vista, pluged the drive in and ReadyBoost sets it up again with
1.91 Gb. I figure out how to turn off ReadyBoost and format the USB drive in
NTFS. I restart the system, plug the drive back in and Vista says this drive
isn't fast enough for ReadyBoost. I click retest and it comes back, sets up
ReadyBoost and appears to be running. My system seems much quicker but am I
in the right format?
This all started from this article I caught;
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2017844,00.asp
--
Sam

[Beck]

"Sam Steinhauser" <SamSteinhauser@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
message news:4659FECE-2F2D-4C37-AB19-B0B2FFABE876@microsoft.com...
> What is the best format for a ReadyBoost USB drive? I got a SanDisk 2 Gb,
> plugged it in and after a few prompts Vista had ReadyBoost runing. I
> noticed
> I had 2 more drives in My Computer. I had the USB removable storage drive
> and
> another drive listed as CD Drive (H:) U3 system. I decide this must be
> something SanDisk sent on the flash drive and it only shows 1.91 Gb so
> I'll
> format it. Vista wouldn't allow a format as the drive was in use and I
> wasn't
> Vista savvy enough to turn it off at this time. I booted into XP and went
> to
> format the drive and only had FAT or FAT32 options. I format it in FAT32
> and
> rebooted into Vista, pluged the drive in and ReadyBoost sets it up again
> with
> 1.91 Gb. I figure out how to turn off ReadyBoost and format the USB drive
> in
> NTFS. I restart the system, plug the drive back in and Vista says this
> drive
> isn't fast enough for ReadyBoost. I click retest and it comes back, sets
> up
> ReadyBoost and appears to be running. My system seems much quicker but am
> I
> in the right format?
> This all started from this article I caught;
> http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2017844,00.asp

Does readyboost really make things that much faster?
Where have you seen the most speed improvements?

[Sam Steinhauser]

I have 2 gigs of RAM and although I've read that with that much memory Ready
Boost doesn't help, I have a very nice performance increase with Internet
Explorer and it seems my Outlook is also quicker. I am still working with all
my programs as I just got Ready boost up and running Friday evening. My
system just seems real zippy.
--
Sam


"Beck" wrote:

>
> "Sam Steinhauser" <SamSteinhauser@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> message news:4659FECE-2F2D-4C37-AB19-B0B2FFABE876@microsoft.com...
> > What is the best format for a ReadyBoost USB drive? I got a SanDisk 2 Gb,
> > plugged it in and after a few prompts Vista had ReadyBoost runing. I
> > noticed
> > I had 2 more drives in My Computer. I had the USB removable storage drive
> > and
> > another drive listed as CD Drive (H:) U3 system. I decide this must be
> > something SanDisk sent on the flash drive and it only shows 1.91 Gb so
> > I'll
> > format it. Vista wouldn't allow a format as the drive was in use and I
> > wasn't
> > Vista savvy enough to turn it off at this time. I booted into XP and went
> > to
> > format the drive and only had FAT or FAT32 options. I format it in FAT32
> > and
> > rebooted into Vista, pluged the drive in and ReadyBoost sets it up again
> > with
> > 1.91 Gb. I figure out how to turn off ReadyBoost and format the USB drive
> > in
> > NTFS. I restart the system, plug the drive back in and Vista says this
> > drive
> > isn't fast enough for ReadyBoost. I click retest and it comes back, sets
> > up
> > ReadyBoost and appears to be running. My system seems much quicker but am
> > I
> > in the right format?
> > This all started from this article I caught;
> > http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2017844,00.asp
>
> Does readyboost really make things that much faster?
> Where have you seen the most speed improvements?
>
>

[Richard G. Harper]

U3 is, in my opinion, a noxious "utility" that you are best rid of as soon
as possible. You can't format the drive to get rid of it since it's hidden
on the drive and will simply re-create itself the next time you insert it.
You need a special utility to remove it from your flash drive and you'll
need to run it under Windows XP. This is what you need:

http://www.sandisk.com/Retail/Default.aspx?CatID=1415

I would not recommend trying it under compatibility mode - I'd go straight
to a Windows XP box and run it.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Sam Steinhauser" <SamSteinhauser@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
message news:4659FECE-2F2D-4C37-AB19-B0B2FFABE876@microsoft.com...
> What is the best format for a ReadyBoost USB drive? I got a SanDisk 2 Gb,
> plugged it in and after a few prompts Vista had ReadyBoost runing. I
> noticed
> I had 2 more drives in My Computer. I had the USB removable storage drive
> and
> another drive listed as CD Drive (H:) U3 system. I decide this must be
> something SanDisk sent on the flash drive and it only shows 1.91 Gb so
> I'll
> format it. Vista wouldn't allow a format as the drive was in use and I
> wasn't
> Vista savvy enough to turn it off at this time. I booted into XP and went
> to
> format the drive and only had FAT or FAT32 options. I format it in FAT32
> and
> rebooted into Vista, pluged the drive in and ReadyBoost sets it up again
> with
> 1.91 Gb. I figure out how to turn off ReadyBoost and format the USB drive
> in
> NTFS. I restart the system, plug the drive back in and Vista says this
> drive
> isn't fast enough for ReadyBoost. I click retest and it comes back, sets
> up
> ReadyBoost and appears to be running. My system seems much quicker but am
> I
> in the right format?
> This all started from this article I caught;
> http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2017844,00.asp
> --
> Sam

[Sam Steinhauser]

You are exactly right. I finaly got to SanDisk's web site and found the
removal tool. I was having some strange lockups until I got rid of U3. It may
be useful to someone but all I want my flash drive for is Ready Boost. I am
running smoothly now and I don't quite understand why but I have 2 gigs of
RAM and this 2 gig flash drive still gave me a performance increase with
Ready Boost.
--
Sam


"Richard G. Harper" wrote:

> U3 is, in my opinion, a noxious "utility" that you are best rid of as soon
> as possible. You can't format the drive to get rid of it since it's hidden
> on the drive and will simply re-create itself the next time you insert it.
> You need a special utility to remove it from your flash drive and you'll
> need to run it under Windows XP. This is what you need:
>
> http://www.sandisk.com/Retail/Default.aspx?CatID=1415
>
> I would not recommend trying it under compatibility mode - I'd go straight
> to a Windows XP box and run it.
>
> --
> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
> * My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "Sam Steinhauser" <SamSteinhauser@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> message news:4659FECE-2F2D-4C37-AB19-B0B2FFABE876@microsoft.com...
> > What is the best format for a ReadyBoost USB drive? I got a SanDisk 2 Gb,
> > plugged it in and after a few prompts Vista had ReadyBoost runing. I
> > noticed
> > I had 2 more drives in My Computer. I had the USB removable storage drive
> > and
> > another drive listed as CD Drive (H:) U3 system. I decide this must be
> > something SanDisk sent on the flash drive and it only shows 1.91 Gb so
> > I'll
> > format it. Vista wouldn't allow a format as the drive was in use and I
> > wasn't
> > Vista savvy enough to turn it off at this time. I booted into XP and went
> > to
> > format the drive and only had FAT or FAT32 options. I format it in FAT32
> > and
> > rebooted into Vista, pluged the drive in and ReadyBoost sets it up again
> > with
> > 1.91 Gb. I figure out how to turn off ReadyBoost and format the USB drive
> > in
> > NTFS. I restart the system, plug the drive back in and Vista says this
> > drive
> > isn't fast enough for ReadyBoost. I click retest and it comes back, sets
> > up
> > ReadyBoost and appears to be running. My system seems much quicker but am
> > I
> > in the right format?
> > This all started from this article I caught;
> > http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2017844,00.asp
> > --
> > Sam
>
>
>

[xWakawaka]

Interesting tidbits. The original questions still stands, however. Has anyone
found information on the best file format of the USB drive for use with
ReadyBoost?

Thanks

"Sam Steinhauser" wrote:

> You are exactly right. I finaly got to SanDisk's web site and found the
> removal tool. I was having some strange lockups until I got rid of U3. It may
> be useful to someone but all I want my flash drive for is Ready Boost. I am
> running smoothly now and I don't quite understand why but I have 2 gigs of
> RAM and this 2 gig flash drive still gave me a performance increase with
> Ready Boost.
> --
> Sam
>
>
> "Richard G. Harper" wrote:
>
> > U3 is, in my opinion, a noxious "utility" that you are best rid of as soon
> > as possible. You can't format the drive to get rid of it since it's hidden
> > on the drive and will simply re-create itself the next time you insert it.
> > You need a special utility to remove it from your flash drive and you'll
> > need to run it under Windows XP. This is what you need:
> >
> > http://www.sandisk.com/Retail/Default.aspx?CatID=1415
> >
> > I would not recommend trying it under compatibility mode - I'd go straight
> > to a Windows XP box and run it.
> >
> > --
> > Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
> > * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> > * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
> > * My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
> > * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> >
> >
> > "Sam Steinhauser" <SamSteinhauser@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> > message news:4659FECE-2F2D-4C37-AB19-B0B2FFABE876@microsoft.com...
> > > What is the best format for a ReadyBoost USB drive? I got a SanDisk 2 Gb,
> > > plugged it in and after a few prompts Vista had ReadyBoost runing. I
> > > noticed
> > > I had 2 more drives in My Computer. I had the USB removable storage drive
> > > and
> > > another drive listed as CD Drive (H:) U3 system. I decide this must be
> > > something SanDisk sent on the flash drive and it only shows 1.91 Gb so
> > > I'll
> > > format it. Vista wouldn't allow a format as the drive was in use and I
> > > wasn't
> > > Vista savvy enough to turn it off at this time. I booted into XP and went
> > > to
> > > format the drive and only had FAT or FAT32 options. I format it in FAT32
> > > and
> > > rebooted into Vista, pluged the drive in and ReadyBoost sets it up again
> > > with
> > > 1.91 Gb. I figure out how to turn off ReadyBoost and format the USB drive
> > > in
> > > NTFS. I restart the system, plug the drive back in and Vista says this
> > > drive
> > > isn't fast enough for ReadyBoost. I click retest and it comes back, sets
> > > up
> > > ReadyBoost and appears to be running. My system seems much quicker but am
> > > I
> > > in the right format?
> > > This all started from this article I caught;
> > > http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2017844,00.asp
> > > --
> > > Sam
> >
> >
> >

[Bill Walter]

I am running VISTA 32 RTM on a P4 3.4GHz system with 2G ram. I have a Apacer
4G USB memory stick that claims to be 150X and it often claims to not be
fast enough to be used as ReadyBoost. When it does say it is fast enough it
defaults to about 3.8G of readyboost which seems strange since it results in
about 6G on a 32 bit system! The other strange thing is that it is very
inconsistent in thinking it is fast enough. Actually I have a dozen or so
USB memory stick and they all are recognized as fast enough fro ReadyBoost
from time to time but none of them are consistent. My Laptop has USB 4 ports
so maybe I have a marginal USB controller.

Bill Walter

"xWakawaka" <xWakawaka@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A033E3D3-8192-4F11-AD12-503314FC726E@microsoft.com...
> Interesting tidbits. The original questions still stands, however. Has
> anyone
> found information on the best file format of the USB drive for use with
> ReadyBoost?
>
> Thanks
>
> "Sam Steinhauser" wrote:
>
>> You are exactly right. I finaly got to SanDisk's web site and found the
>> removal tool. I was having some strange lockups until I got rid of U3. It
>> may
>> be useful to someone but all I want my flash drive for is Ready Boost. I
>> am
>> running smoothly now and I don't quite understand why but I have 2 gigs
>> of
>> RAM and this 2 gig flash drive still gave me a performance increase with
>> Ready Boost.
>> --
>> Sam
>>
>>
>> "Richard G. Harper" wrote:
>>
>> > U3 is, in my opinion, a noxious "utility" that you are best rid of as
>> > soon
>> > as possible. You can't format the drive to get rid of it since it's
>> > hidden
>> > on the drive and will simply re-create itself the next time you insert
>> > it.
>> > You need a special utility to remove it from your flash drive and
>> > you'll
>> > need to run it under Windows XP. This is what you need:
>> >
>> > http://www.sandisk.com/Retail/Default.aspx?CatID=1415
>> >
>> > I would not recommend trying it under compatibility mode - I'd go
>> > straight
>> > to a Windows XP box and run it.
>> >
>> > --
>> > Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
>> > * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
>> > * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
>> > * My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
>> > * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>> >
>> >
>> > "Sam Steinhauser" <SamSteinhauser@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> > message news:4659FECE-2F2D-4C37-AB19-B0B2FFABE876@microsoft.com...
>> > > What is the best format for a ReadyBoost USB drive? I got a SanDisk 2
>> > > Gb,
>> > > plugged it in and after a few prompts Vista had ReadyBoost runing. I
>> > > noticed
>> > > I had 2 more drives in My Computer. I had the USB removable storage
>> > > drive
>> > > and
>> > > another drive listed as CD Drive (H:) U3 system. I decide this must
>> > > be
>> > > something SanDisk sent on the flash drive and it only shows 1.91 Gb
>> > > so
>> > > I'll
>> > > format it. Vista wouldn't allow a format as the drive was in use and
>> > > I
>> > > wasn't
>> > > Vista savvy enough to turn it off at this time. I booted into XP and
>> > > went
>> > > to
>> > > format the drive and only had FAT or FAT32 options. I format it in
>> > > FAT32
>> > > and
>> > > rebooted into Vista, pluged the drive in and ReadyBoost sets it up
>> > > again
>> > > with
>> > > 1.91 Gb. I figure out how to turn off ReadyBoost and format the USB
>> > > drive
>> > > in
>> > > NTFS. I restart the system, plug the drive back in and Vista says
>> > > this
>> > > drive
>> > > isn't fast enough for ReadyBoost. I click retest and it comes back,
>> > > sets
>> > > up
>> > > ReadyBoost and appears to be running. My system seems much quicker
>> > > but am
>> > > I
>> > > in the right format?
>> > > This all started from this article I caught;
>> > > http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2017844,00.asp
>> > > --
>> > > Sam
>> >
>> >
>> >

[Rich Milburn [MVP]]

I'm not sure if this is still the case, but while it was beta there was a comment from one of the ReadyBoost people that the drive should be formatted NTFS for optimum usage. It might be worth a try...
Rich
"Bill Walter" <bwalter@resourceopt.com> wrote in message news:DD6C3AA3-A9F9-4DD5-863B-E70DA976DA3B@microsoft.com...
I am running VISTA 32 RTM on a P4 3.4GHz system with 2G ram. I have a Apacer
4G USB memory stick that claims to be 150X and it often claims to not be
fast enough to be used as ReadyBoost. When it does say it is fast enough it
defaults to about 3.8G of readyboost which seems strange since it results in
about 6G on a 32 bit system! The other strange thing is that it is very
inconsistent in thinking it is fast enough. Actually I have a dozen or so
USB memory stick and they all are recognized as fast enough fro ReadyBoost
from time to time but none of them are consistent. My Laptop has USB 4 ports
so maybe I have a marginal USB controller.

Bill Walter

"xWakawaka" <xWakawaka@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A033E3D3-8192-4F11-AD12-503314FC726E@microsoft.com...
> Interesting tidbits. The original questions still stands, however. Has
> anyone
> found information on the best file format of the USB drive for use with
> ReadyBoost?
>
> Thanks
>
> "Sam Steinhauser" wrote:
>
>> You are exactly right. I finaly got to SanDisk's web site and found the
>> removal tool. I was having some strange lockups until I got rid of U3. It
>> may
>> be useful to someone but all I want my flash drive for is Ready Boost. I
>> am
>> running smoothly now and I don't quite understand why but I have 2 gigs
>> of
>> RAM and this 2 gig flash drive still gave me a performance increase with
>> Ready Boost.
>> --
>> Sam
>>
>>
>> "Richard G. Harper" wrote:
>>
>> > U3 is, in my opinion, a noxious "utility" that you are best rid of as
>> > soon
>> > as possible. You can't format the drive to get rid of it since it's
>> > hidden
>> > on the drive and will simply re-create itself the next time you insert
>> > it.
>> > You need a special utility to remove it from your flash drive and
>> > you'll
>> > need to run it under Windows XP. This is what you need:
>> >
>> > http://www.sandisk.com/Retail/Default.aspx?CatID=1415
>> >
>> > I would not recommend trying it under compatibility mode - I'd go
>> > straight
>> > to a Windows XP box and run it.
>> >
>> > --
>> > Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
>> > * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
>> > * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
>> > * My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
>> > * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>> >
>> >
>> > "Sam Steinhauser" <SamSteinhauser@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> > message news:4659FECE-2F2D-4C37-AB19-B0B2FFABE876@microsoft.com...
>> > > What is the best format for a ReadyBoost USB drive? I got a SanDisk 2
>> > > Gb,
>> > > plugged it in and after a few prompts Vista had ReadyBoost runing. I
>> > > noticed
>> > > I had 2 more drives in My Computer. I had the USB removable storage
>> > > drive
>> > > and
>> > > another drive listed as CD Drive (H:) U3 system. I decide this must
>> > > be
>> > > something SanDisk sent on the flash drive and it only shows 1.91 Gb
>> > > so
>> > > I'll
>> > > format it. Vista wouldn't allow a format as the drive was in use and
>> > > I
>> > > wasn't
>> > > Vista savvy enough to turn it off at this time. I booted into XP and
>> > > went
>> > > to
>> > > format the drive and only had FAT or FAT32 options. I format it in
>> > > FAT32
>> > > and
>> > > rebooted into Vista, pluged the drive in and ReadyBoost sets it up
>> > > again
>> > > with
>> > > 1.91 Gb. I figure out how to turn off ReadyBoost and format the USB
>> > > drive
>> > > in
>> > > NTFS. I restart the system, plug the drive back in and Vista says
>> > > this
>> > > drive
>> > > isn't fast enough for ReadyBoost. I click retest and it comes back,
>> > > sets
>> > > up
>> > > ReadyBoost and appears to be running. My system seems much quicker
>> > > but am
>> > > I
>> > > in the right format?
>> > > This all started from this article I caught;
>> > > http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2017844,00.asp
>> > > --
>> > > Sam
>> >
>> >
>> >

[John Barnes]

I have a similar inconsistency though mine is that about once a week a popup
appears saying readyboost would work faster if it were on a USB2 port. When
it shows the ports it shows it on a USB2 port, which all my ports are. Just
another one of the annoying popups that are meaningless.


"Bill Walter" <bwalter@resourceopt.com> wrote in message
news:DD6C3AA3-A9F9-4DD5-863B-E70DA976DA3B@microsoft.com...
>I am running VISTA 32 RTM on a P4 3.4GHz system with 2G ram. I have a
>Apacer 4G USB memory stick that claims to be 150X and it often claims to
>not be fast enough to be used as ReadyBoost. When it does say it is fast
>enough it defaults to about 3.8G of readyboost which seems strange since it
>results in about 6G on a 32 bit system! The other strange thing is that it
>is very inconsistent in thinking it is fast enough. Actually I have a dozen
>or so USB memory stick and they all are recognized as fast enough fro
>ReadyBoost from time to time but none of them are consistent. My Laptop has
>USB 4 ports so maybe I have a marginal USB controller.
>
> Bill Walter
>
> "xWakawaka" <xWakawaka@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:A033E3D3-8192-4F11-AD12-503314FC726E@microsoft.com...
>> Interesting tidbits. The original questions still stands, however. Has
>> anyone
>> found information on the best file format of the USB drive for use with
>> ReadyBoost?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> "Sam Steinhauser" wrote:
>>
>>> You are exactly right. I finaly got to SanDisk's web site and found the
>>> removal tool. I was having some strange lockups until I got rid of U3.
>>> It may
>>> be useful to someone but all I want my flash drive for is Ready Boost. I
>>> am
>>> running smoothly now and I don't quite understand why but I have 2 gigs
>>> of
>>> RAM and this 2 gig flash drive still gave me a performance increase with
>>> Ready Boost.
>>> --
>>> Sam
>>>
>>>
>>> "Richard G. Harper" wrote:
>>>
>>> > U3 is, in my opinion, a noxious "utility" that you are best rid of as
>>> > soon
>>> > as possible. You can't format the drive to get rid of it since it's
>>> > hidden
>>> > on the drive and will simply re-create itself the next time you insert
>>> > it.
>>> > You need a special utility to remove it from your flash drive and
>>> > you'll
>>> > need to run it under Windows XP. This is what you need:
>>> >
>>> > http://www.sandisk.com/Retail/Default.aspx?CatID=1415
>>> >
>>> > I would not recommend trying it under compatibility mode - I'd go
>>> > straight
>>> > to a Windows XP box and run it.
>>> >
>>> > --
>>> > Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
>>> > * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
>>> > * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
>>> > * My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
>>> > * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > "Sam Steinhauser" <SamSteinhauser@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>>> > message news:4659FECE-2F2D-4C37-AB19-B0B2FFABE876@microsoft.com...
>>> > > What is the best format for a ReadyBoost USB drive? I got a SanDisk
>>> > > 2 Gb,
>>> > > plugged it in and after a few prompts Vista had ReadyBoost runing. I
>>> > > noticed
>>> > > I had 2 more drives in My Computer. I had the USB removable storage
>>> > > drive
>>> > > and
>>> > > another drive listed as CD Drive (H:) U3 system. I decide this must
>>> > > be
>>> > > something SanDisk sent on the flash drive and it only shows 1.91 Gb
>>> > > so
>>> > > I'll
>>> > > format it. Vista wouldn't allow a format as the drive was in use and
>>> > > I
>>> > > wasn't
>>> > > Vista savvy enough to turn it off at this time. I booted into XP and
>>> > > went
>>> > > to
>>> > > format the drive and only had FAT or FAT32 options. I format it in
>>> > > FAT32
>>> > > and
>>> > > rebooted into Vista, pluged the drive in and ReadyBoost sets it up
>>> > > again
>>> > > with
>>> > > 1.91 Gb. I figure out how to turn off ReadyBoost and format the USB
>>> > > drive
>>> > > in
>>> > > NTFS. I restart the system, plug the drive back in and Vista says
>>> > > this
>>> > > drive
>>> > > isn't fast enough for ReadyBoost. I click retest and it comes back,
>>> > > sets
>>> > > up
>>> > > ReadyBoost and appears to be running. My system seems much quicker
>>> > > but am
>>> > > I
>>> > > in the right format?
>>> > > This all started from this article I caught;
>>> > > http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2017844,00.asp
>>> > > --
>>> > > Sam
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>

[Rich Milburn [MVP]]

Are you using an extension cable by any chance? I have seen some USB devices have issues with extension cables...
"John Barnes" <jbarnes@email.net> wrote in message news:%23BpcLD0FHHA.2296@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
I have a similar inconsistency though mine is that about once a week a popup
appears saying readyboost would work faster if it were on a USB2 port. When
it shows the ports it shows it on a USB2 port, which all my ports are. Just
another one of the annoying popups that are meaningless.


"Bill Walter" <bwalter@resourceopt.com> wrote in message
news:DD6C3AA3-A9F9-4DD5-863B-E70DA976DA3B@microsoft.com...
>I am running VISTA 32 RTM on a P4 3.4GHz system with 2G ram. I have a
>Apacer 4G USB memory stick that claims to be 150X and it often claims to
>not be fast enough to be used as ReadyBoost. When it does say it is fast
>enough it defaults to about 3.8G of readyboost which seems strange since it
>results in about 6G on a 32 bit system! The other strange thing is that it
>is very inconsistent in thinking it is fast enough. Actually I have a dozen
>or so USB memory stick and they all are recognized as fast enough fro
>ReadyBoost from time to time but none of them are consistent. My Laptop has
>USB 4 ports so maybe I have a marginal USB controller.
>
> Bill Walter
>
> "xWakawaka" <xWakawaka@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:A033E3D3-8192-4F11-AD12-503314FC726E@microsoft.com...
>> Interesting tidbits. The original questions still stands, however. Has
>> anyone
>> found information on the best file format of the USB drive for use with
>> ReadyBoost?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> "Sam Steinhauser" wrote:
>>
>>> You are exactly right. I finaly got to SanDisk's web site and found the
>>> removal tool. I was having some strange lockups until I got rid of U3.
>>> It may
>>> be useful to someone but all I want my flash drive for is Ready Boost. I
>>> am
>>> running smoothly now and I don't quite understand why but I have 2 gigs
>>> of
>>> RAM and this 2 gig flash drive still gave me a performance increase with
>>> Ready Boost.
>>> --
>>> Sam
>>>
>>>
>>> "Richard G. Harper" wrote:
>>>
>>> > U3 is, in my opinion, a noxious "utility" that you are best rid of as
>>> > soon
>>> > as possible. You can't format the drive to get rid of it since it's
>>> > hidden
>>> > on the drive and will simply re-create itself the next time you insert
>>> > it.
>>> > You need a special utility to remove it from your flash drive and
>>> > you'll
>>> > need to run it under Windows XP. This is what you need:
>>> >
>>> > http://www.sandisk.com/Retail/Default.aspx?CatID=1415
>>> >
>>> > I would not recommend trying it under compatibility mode - I'd go
>>> > straight
>>> > to a Windows XP box and run it.
>>> >
>>> > --
>>> > Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
>>> > * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
>>> > * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
>>> > * My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
>>> > * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > "Sam Steinhauser" <SamSteinhauser@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>>> > message news:4659FECE-2F2D-4C37-AB19-B0B2FFABE876@microsoft.com...
>>> > > What is the best format for a ReadyBoost USB drive? I got a SanDisk
>>> > > 2 Gb,
>>> > > plugged it in and after a few prompts Vista had ReadyBoost runing. I
>>> > > noticed
>>> > > I had 2 more drives in My Computer. I had the USB removable storage
>>> > > drive
>>> > > and
>>> > > another drive listed as CD Drive (H:) U3 system. I decide this must
>>> > > be
>>> > > something SanDisk sent on the flash drive and it only shows 1.91 Gb
>>> > > so
>>> > > I'll
>>> > > format it. Vista wouldn't allow a format as the drive was in use and
>>> > > I
>>> > > wasn't
>>> > > Vista savvy enough to turn it off at this time. I booted into XP and
>>> > > went
>>> > > to
>>> > > format the drive and only had FAT or FAT32 options. I format it in
>>> > > FAT32
>>> > > and
>>> > > rebooted into Vista, pluged the drive in and ReadyBoost sets it up
>>> > > again
>>> > > with
>>> > > 1.91 Gb. I figure out how to turn off ReadyBoost and format the USB
>>> > > drive
>>> > > in
>>> > > NTFS. I restart the system, plug the drive back in and Vista says
>>> > > this
>>> > > drive
>>> > > isn't fast enough for ReadyBoost. I click retest and it comes back,
>>> > > sets
>>> > > up
>>> > > ReadyBoost and appears to be running. My system seems much quicker
>>> > > but am
>>> > > I
>>> > > in the right format?
>>> > > This all started from this article I caught;
>>> > > http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2017844,00.asp
>>> > > --
>>> > > Sam
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>

[Bill Walter]

It is plugged directly into the side of the laptop case. There are 4 ports and they all seem to operate about the same. I have just reformatted the Apacer 4G as NTFS and it seem to work fine now. I try it for a few days and if it continues to work I will reformat the other ones NTFS. The default format was FAT32 when I got them and I was not even sure NTFS would work.

Bill Walter

"Rich Milburn [MVP]" <richdotmilburn@applebeesdot.com> wrote in message news:en9c7p0FHHA.4712@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
Are you using an extension cable by any chance? I have seen some USB devices have issues with extension cables...
"John Barnes" <jbarnes@email.net> wrote in message news:%23BpcLD0FHHA.2296@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
I have a similar inconsistency though mine is that about once a week a popup
appears saying readyboost would work faster if it were on a USB2 port. When
it shows the ports it shows it on a USB2 port, which all my ports are. Just
another one of the annoying popups that are meaningless.


"Bill Walter" <bwalter@resourceopt.com> wrote in message
news:DD6C3AA3-A9F9-4DD5-863B-E70DA976DA3B@microsoft.com...
>I am running VISTA 32 RTM on a P4 3.4GHz system with 2G ram. I have a
>Apacer 4G USB memory stick that claims to be 150X and it often claims to
>not be fast enough to be used as ReadyBoost. When it does say it is fast
>enough it defaults to about 3.8G of readyboost which seems strange since it
>results in about 6G on a 32 bit system! The other strange thing is that it
>is very inconsistent in thinking it is fast enough. Actually I have a dozen
>or so USB memory stick and they all are recognized as fast enough fro
>ReadyBoost from time to time but none of them are consistent. My Laptop has
>USB 4 ports so maybe I have a marginal USB controller.
>
> Bill Walter
>
> "xWakawaka" <xWakawaka@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:A033E3D3-8192-4F11-AD12-503314FC726E@microsoft.com...
>> Interesting tidbits. The original questions still stands, however. Has
>> anyone
>> found information on the best file format of the USB drive for use with
>> ReadyBoost?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> "Sam Steinhauser" wrote:
>>
>>> You are exactly right. I finaly got to SanDisk's web site and found the
>>> removal tool. I was having some strange lockups until I got rid of U3.
>>> It may
>>> be useful to someone but all I want my flash drive for is Ready Boost. I
>>> am
>>> running smoothly now and I don't quite understand why but I have 2 gigs
>>> of
>>> RAM and this 2 gig flash drive still gave me a performance increase with
>>> Ready Boost.
>>> --
>>> Sam
>>>
>>>
>>> "Richard G. Harper" wrote:
>>>
>>> > U3 is, in my opinion, a noxious "utility" that you are best rid of as
>>> > soon
>>> > as possible. You can't format the drive to get rid of it since it's
>>> > hidden
>>> > on the drive and will simply re-create itself the next time you insert
>>> > it.
>>> > You need a special utility to remove it from your flash drive and
>>> > you'll
>>> > need to run it under Windows XP. This is what you need:
>>> >
>>> > http://www.sandisk.com/Retail/Default.aspx?CatID=1415
>>> >
>>> > I would not recommend trying it under compatibility mode - I'd go
>>> > straight
>>> > to a Windows XP box and run it.
>>> >
>>> > --
>>> > Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
>>> > * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
>>> > * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
>>> > * My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
>>> > * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > "Sam Steinhauser" <SamSteinhauser@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>>> > message news:4659FECE-2F2D-4C37-AB19-B0B2FFABE876@microsoft.com...
>>> > > What is the best format for a ReadyBoost USB drive? I got a SanDisk
>>> > > 2 Gb,
>>> > > plugged it in and after a few prompts Vista had ReadyBoost runing. I
>>> > > noticed
>>> > > I had 2 more drives in My Computer. I had the USB removable storage
>>> > > drive
>>> > > and
>>> > > another drive listed as CD Drive (H:) U3 system. I decide this must
>>> > > be
>>> > > something SanDisk sent on the flash drive and it only shows 1.91 Gb
>>> > > so
>>> > > I'll
>>> > > format it. Vista wouldn't allow a format as the drive was in use and
>>> > > I
>>> > > wasn't
>>> > > Vista savvy enough to turn it off at this time. I booted into XP and
>>> > > went
>>> > > to
>>> > > format the drive and only had FAT or FAT32 options. I format it in
>>> > > FAT32
>>> > > and
>>> > > rebooted into Vista, pluged the drive in and ReadyBoost sets it up
>>> > > again
>>> > > with
>>> > > 1.91 Gb. I figure out how to turn off ReadyBoost and format the USB
>>> > > drive
>>> > > in
>>> > > NTFS. I restart the system, plug the drive back in and Vista says
>>> > > this
>>> > > drive
>>> > > isn't fast enough for ReadyBoost. I click retest and it comes back,
>>> > > sets
>>> > > up
>>> > > ReadyBoost and appears to be running. My system seems much quicker
>>> > > but am
>>> > > I
>>> > > in the right format?
>>> > > This all started from this article I caught;
>>> > > http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2017844,00.asp
>>> > > --
>>> > > Sam
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>

[Richard Urban]

Did you go into device manager, to where the USB thumb drive is located, and
optimize the drive for performance? If you didn't, the drive will run at USB
1.1 speed, I believe.

I DO know that this setting makes a big difference in the performance of
"any" USB connected drive, either thumb drive or hard drive.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

"John Barnes" <jbarnes@email.net> wrote in message
news:%23BpcLD0FHHA.2296@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>I have a similar inconsistency though mine is that about once a week a
>popup appears saying readyboost would work faster if it were on a USB2
>port. When it shows the ports it shows it on a USB2 port, which all my
>ports are. Just another one of the annoying popups that are meaningless.
>
>
> "Bill Walter" <bwalter@resourceopt.com> wrote in message
> news:DD6C3AA3-A9F9-4DD5-863B-E70DA976DA3B@microsoft.com...
>>I am running VISTA 32 RTM on a P4 3.4GHz system with 2G ram. I have a
>>Apacer 4G USB memory stick that claims to be 150X and it often claims to
>>not be fast enough to be used as ReadyBoost. When it does say it is fast
>>enough it defaults to about 3.8G of readyboost which seems strange since
>>it results in about 6G on a 32 bit system! The other strange thing is that
>>it is very inconsistent in thinking it is fast enough. Actually I have a
>>dozen or so USB memory stick and they all are recognized as fast enough
>>fro ReadyBoost from time to time but none of them are consistent. My
>>Laptop has USB 4 ports so maybe I have a marginal USB controller.
>>
>> Bill Walter
>>
>> "xWakawaka" <xWakawaka@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:A033E3D3-8192-4F11-AD12-503314FC726E@microsoft.com...
>>> Interesting tidbits. The original questions still stands, however. Has
>>> anyone
>>> found information on the best file format of the USB drive for use with
>>> ReadyBoost?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>> "Sam Steinhauser" wrote:
>>>
>>>> You are exactly right. I finaly got to SanDisk's web site and found the
>>>> removal tool. I was having some strange lockups until I got rid of U3.
>>>> It may
>>>> be useful to someone but all I want my flash drive for is Ready Boost.
>>>> I am
>>>> running smoothly now and I don't quite understand why but I have 2 gigs
>>>> of
>>>> RAM and this 2 gig flash drive still gave me a performance increase
>>>> with
>>>> Ready Boost.
>>>> --
>>>> Sam
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Richard G. Harper" wrote:
>>>>
>>>> > U3 is, in my opinion, a noxious "utility" that you are best rid of as
>>>> > soon
>>>> > as possible. You can't format the drive to get rid of it since it's
>>>> > hidden
>>>> > on the drive and will simply re-create itself the next time you
>>>> > insert it.
>>>> > You need a special utility to remove it from your flash drive and
>>>> > you'll
>>>> > need to run it under Windows XP. This is what you need:
>>>> >
>>>> > http://www.sandisk.com/Retail/Default.aspx?CatID=1415
>>>> >
>>>> > I would not recommend trying it under compatibility mode - I'd go
>>>> > straight
>>>> > to a Windows XP box and run it.
>>>> >
>>>> > --
>>>> > Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
>>>> > * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
>>>> > * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
>>>> > * My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
>>>> > * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>>> >
>>>> >
>>>> > "Sam Steinhauser" <SamSteinhauser@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>>>> > message news:4659FECE-2F2D-4C37-AB19-B0B2FFABE876@microsoft.com...
>>>> > > What is the best format for a ReadyBoost USB drive? I got a SanDisk
>>>> > > 2 Gb,
>>>> > > plugged it in and after a few prompts Vista had ReadyBoost runing.
>>>> > > I
>>>> > > noticed
>>>> > > I had 2 more drives in My Computer. I had the USB removable storage
>>>> > > drive
>>>> > > and
>>>> > > another drive listed as CD Drive (H:) U3 system. I decide this must
>>>> > > be
>>>> > > something SanDisk sent on the flash drive and it only shows 1.91 Gb
>>>> > > so
>>>> > > I'll
>>>> > > format it. Vista wouldn't allow a format as the drive was in use
>>>> > > and I
>>>> > > wasn't
>>>> > > Vista savvy enough to turn it off at this time. I booted into XP
>>>> > > and went
>>>> > > to
>>>> > > format the drive and only had FAT or FAT32 options. I format it in
>>>> > > FAT32
>>>> > > and
>>>> > > rebooted into Vista, pluged the drive in and ReadyBoost sets it up
>>>> > > again
>>>> > > with
>>>> > > 1.91 Gb. I figure out how to turn off ReadyBoost and format the USB
>>>> > > drive
>>>> > > in
>>>> > > NTFS. I restart the system, plug the drive back in and Vista says
>>>> > > this
>>>> > > drive
>>>> > > isn't fast enough for ReadyBoost. I click retest and it comes back,
>>>> > > sets
>>>> > > up
>>>> > > ReadyBoost and appears to be running. My system seems much quicker
>>>> > > but am
>>>> > > I
>>>> > > in the right format?
>>>> > > This all started from this article I caught;
>>>> > > http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2017844,00.asp
>>>> > > --
>>>> > > Sam
>>>> >
>>>> >
>>>> >
>>
>

[Jim]

On Mon, 4 Dec 2006 01:55:25 -0500, "Richard Urban"
<richardurbanREMOVETHIS@hotmail.com> wrote:

>Did you go into device manager, to where the USB thumb drive is located, and
>optimize the drive for performance? If you didn't, the drive will run at USB
>1.1 speed, I believe.
>
>I DO know that this setting makes a big difference in the performance of
>"any" USB connected drive, either thumb drive or hard drive.


Nice one, I hadn't seen that option.

Does anyone know if there's any way to check if ReadyBoost is actually
achieving anything? I've got a Core 2 Duo E6700 @ 3.2Ghz and 4GB DDR
II RAM. I've installed a 4GB Lexar JumDrive Lightning and enabled it
for ReadyBoost. But is there anywhere in Vista that says "Yes,
ReadyBoost is running it's giving you an x% boost" ?


Jim

[MICHAEL]

"Jim" <jim@nospam.com> wrote in message news:vpv7n2l6mg8a3ngcpt0n10a164jbv1eut3@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 4 Dec 2006 01:55:25 -0500, "Richard Urban"
> <richardurbanREMOVETHIS@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>Did you go into device manager, to where the USB thumb drive is located, and
>>optimize the drive for performance? If you didn't, the drive will run at USB
>>1.1 speed, I believe.
>>
>>I DO know that this setting makes a big difference in the performance of
>>"any" USB connected drive, either thumb drive or hard drive.
>
>
> Nice one, I hadn't seen that option.
>
> Does anyone know if there's any way to check if ReadyBoost is actually
> achieving anything? I've got a Core 2 Duo E6700 @ 3.2Ghz and 4GB DDR
> II RAM. I've installed a 4GB Lexar JumDrive Lightning and enabled it
> for ReadyBoost.

> But is there anywhere in Vista that says "Yes,
> ReadyBoost is running it's giving you an x% boost" ?

Not that I'm aware of. With 4GB of RAM, I don't think you
are going to see any difference. It seems to me, ReadyBoost
really helps those with RAM under 2GB. On the two machines
that I have had Vista on, both with 2GB of RAM, I was really
unable to tell any difference with ReadyBoost or without.
Also, I can't prove it, but on my desktop, it seemed to me that
ReadyBoost may have actually slowed things down ever so
slightly on a few occasions. I tried two different flash drives.


-Michael

[Jim]

On Mon, 4 Dec 2006 08:23:14 -0500, "MICHAEL" <u158627_emr@dslr.net>
wrote:

>
>"Jim" <jim@nospam.com> wrote in message news:vpv7n2l6mg8a3ngcpt0n10a164jbv1eut3@4ax.com...
>> On Mon, 4 Dec 2006 01:55:25 -0500, "Richard Urban"
>> <richardurbanREMOVETHIS@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>Did you go into device manager, to where the USB thumb drive is located, and
>>>optimize the drive for performance? If you didn't, the drive will run at USB
>>>1.1 speed, I believe.
>>>
>>>I DO know that this setting makes a big difference in the performance of
>>>"any" USB connected drive, either thumb drive or hard drive.
>>
>>
>> Nice one, I hadn't seen that option.
>>
>> Does anyone know if there's any way to check if ReadyBoost is actually
>> achieving anything? I've got a Core 2 Duo E6700 @ 3.2Ghz and 4GB DDR
>> II RAM. I've installed a 4GB Lexar JumDrive Lightning and enabled it
>> for ReadyBoost.
>
>> But is there anywhere in Vista that says "Yes,
>> ReadyBoost is running it's giving you an x% boost" ?
>
>Not that I'm aware of. With 4GB of RAM, I don't think you
>are going to see any difference. It seems to me, ReadyBoost
>really helps those with RAM under 2GB. On the two machines
>that I have had Vista on, both with 2GB of RAM, I was really
>unable to tell any difference with ReadyBoost or without.
>Also, I can't prove it, but on my desktop, it seemed to me that
>ReadyBoost may have actually slowed things down ever so
>slightly on a few occasions. I tried two different flash drives.
>
>
>-Michael


Thanks Michael. I had my own suspicions abotu ReadyBoost. After all,
even with a 4GB flash drive, Vista still inists on creating a huge
swapfile on one of my hard drives!

I think I just bought myself a new memory stick :-)



Jim