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Community Newsletter: Q&A: What is Windows ReadyBoost and does it improve performance?
- 6/27/08 4:33 PM
What is Windows ReadyBoost and does it improve performance?
by Lee Koo (ADMIN) - 6/27/08 4:33 PM
Question:
Hi, I recently bought a new laptop with Windows Vista and I would like to improve the speed of it. Some one mentioned to me that using Windows ReadyBoost using a USB flash drive to boost performance. But left with many questions unanswered in hopes that you can help me. What exactly is ReadyBoost and what does it do exactly to help boost performance? Does it really work that well? I know it requires a USB flash drive or card, but does it make a difference what kind of drive I should use or does it require something that is fast? How much memory should I consider for the flash drive? I've gone through the Internet and read a few articles that mentioned that ReadyBoost does initially help performance in the beginning, but over time the performance gains starts to deteriorate. Is this true? If that's the case, is it even worth getting into? Any help and explanations will be helpful. Thank you in advance.
Submitted by Garrett G.
Here are some member answer to start, but please do read on in the discussion thread for many more members' experiences and advice.
ReadyBoost--the good, the bad, and the ugly...
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=295770&messageID=2779871#2779871
ReadyBoost is a bit overrated.
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=295770&messageID=2780295#2780295
If you have the answer for Garrett, please click on the reply link and submit your answer. Please be as detailed as possible when submitting your answers. Thanks!!
Other options to improve Vista performance
by XSYLUS - 5/23/08 6:56 PM In reply to: What is Windows ReadyBoost and does it improve performance? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I'm not real familiar with ready boost but I can give you some alternative suggestions for improving the performance of Vista.
You can set Vista to use standard classic windows environment by turning off the themes and extra eye-candy features. As nice looking as the Aero them is it can slow down the system performance.
Digging deeper, Vista has features and programs that run by default. While these feature mean well they reduce performance and are not entirely necessary. For more information on improving the performance and speed of Vista check out this website: http://pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2238
ReadyBoost on Wikipedia
by XSYLUS - 5/23/08 7:08 PM In reply to: What is Windows ReadyBoost and does it improve performance? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I looked up more information on Readyboost and it in general uses flash ram such as a usb-stick, sd card, CF card and other flash memory as a cache. This can increase performance of the system because typically cache, prefetch(XP) and SuperFetch(Vista) use the hard drive. Since the hard drive has moving parts it takes longer to read to and write from than flash memory does. Wikipedia tries to make the information as easy to understand as possible. Here's the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ReadyBoost
Personally I would try the guides on PCstats that I mentioned in the previous post first and see how much difference that makes.
ReadyBust
by puma - 6/20/08 7:48 PM In reply to: ReadyBoost on Wikipedia by XSYLUSis the processor or hard drive cache not enough to handle bloated vista? looks like i'll be sticking with xp for a looong time...
Bloat
by mwooge - 6/21/08 5:38 AM In reply to: ReadyBust by puma> is the processor or hard drive cache not enough to handle bloated vista?
Neither. Every running program uses system RAM. If you have too many programs running which need large amounts of RAM, the computer runs out of RAM and uses the hardrive instead.
ReadyBust
by Mick.Jagger* - 6/21/08 3:29 PM In reply to: ReadyBust by pumaWindows XP is obsolete, and prone to attack by adware and spyware. All of you XP die-hards need to get your head out of the sand and understand that Vista is the future, and that it doesn't get infected by all of the trash that is out there on the net. Death to XP!!
Now tell me about my Windows 2000 tank.
by R. Proffitt - 6/21/08 3:34 PM
In reply to: ReadyBust by Mick.Jagger*
I installed in 2001 and haven't had to do much but use it since then. Works fine thank you.
Bob
Really?
by PsychGen - 6/21/08 3:38 PM In reply to: ReadyBust by Mick.Jagger*If it doesn't get infected why did my new machine come with Norton 360?
I have never run an AV program on any of my machines and have never ever had virus problems. I do run spybot on my win98 to keep the adware down, My XP desktop has not had AV since it was built in 2002.
Really!!!
by Mick.Jagger* - 6/21/08 3:58 PM In reply to: Really? by PsychGenReally!! The issue is adware and spyware, not viruses. Of course you use Norton or McAfee with Vista to protect from viruses.
Check your XP installed programs list, and you will probably find a bunch of junk that you can't identify that may "look" legitimate.
And for the guy with the Windows 2000 "tank," I can only imagine what your programs list looks like. Death to XP and its predecessors!!!
Agreed
by PsychGen - 6/21/08 4:27 PM In reply to: Really!!! by Mick.Jagger*It is the adware and spyware, they benefit from their 'attacks'. Viruses on the other hand only benefit the people who write the AV apps. Ever wonder who writes the viruses? It is usually the one(s) who stand(s) to benefit most from it's actions.
As soon as my Norton 360 free trial ends it's going to be removed from the system and, this Vista machine will be ran like the rest of my machines. No AV.
Of Course your new machine came with Norton 360
by vbraner - 7/13/08 11:29 AM In reply to: Really? by PsychGenI don't know how familiar with new systems you are, but of course your machine came with 360. THEY WANT TO SELL IT!!!
All machines come with the freebies and trials that load up your system with the newest and greatest (they say). Most of the stuff is a 30, 60, or 90 day trial at the end of which you have gotten used to it and either go into a major panic thinking you need it and better buy it rather than finding another one. It's all sales BS. Come on now you have to see that. Do you think you need all the "free" internet freebie trials too? SALES SALES SALES.
That is why Microsoft changes the OP system rather than fixing what they have BUCKS BABY!!!
Norton 360
by Jjesse285 - 7/13/08 12:30 PM In reply to: Of Course your new machine came with Norton 360 by vbranerSo you are say tat if I want to used it later on I will have o pay for it with 12 month tie or can I use other o my cumputer? which is the best way to go?
answer to MikeJagger
by vct2 - 6/23/08 2:39 PM In reply to: ReadyBust by Mick.Jagger*My Antivirus posts an update every day
Microsoft releases an update every so often.
conclusion: I prefer to rely on my AV and my Anti spyware to protect my computer than on Microsoft.
I don't want to slow down more than 10% by moving from XP to Vista.
(real benchmark)
I don't want to worry about hardware and software compatibility with Vista.
Satisfied customers
by Igiveup2 - 6/26/08 11:47 AM In reply to: ReadyBust by Mick.Jagger*If somebody is satisfied with XP, 2K, 98, ME, 3.1, or DOS it's nobody else's business. I personally prefer Vista, but I don't feel like I have a hole in my life when using XP. Security has improved with Vista, but I think the biggest jump in security was with XP SP2.
Vista is the Future by Mick Jagger
by jik47 - 6/27/08 11:49 PM In reply to: ReadyBust by Mick.Jagger*What kind of dilbutt are you Mick to make such a foolish statement about Vista being the future and death to XP? I bet you ran Windows ME on your machine also stated it was the future back then as well. The only Vista is still around is Microsoft forced it on consumers by making vendors sell it in their new machines. Otherwise Vista would be dead just as fast if not faster than Windows ME died. You must like all the bloated useless features in Vista as there is no way you can get your Vista to run as fast as machine loaded with XP Professional. Read on Cnet, Google about Vista vs. XP and you will go back under you rock! Even with Microsoft doing it's best to kill XP it will not happen before they release there new operating system they are working on to replace the twin of Millennium (Vista). Vista sucks and Microsoft knows it!
Vista is for Dilbutts! XP is for the people! Long Live XP Professional! Maybe Microsoft will sell you a shovel to bury yourself in the sand. With the Ace of Spades.........
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