Question about XP Optimizing windows caching algorithm

[jw]

Is there such a thing as 'XP Optimizing windows caching algorithm'?

I am installing a new Fantom Gforce Megadisk 1TB external hard drive,
and the manual says this algorithm can and should be changed from
'optimize for performance' to 'optimize for quick removal', and if one
does not, he risks severe data loss. So I want to do it.

I cannot find the feature in my XP. The manual says it is under
windows\system32\diskmgmt.msc, but I sure don't see this option.
Am I missing something?

 

[Leonard Grey]

lol...Never say something simply if you can make it difficult to
understand...

With the external drive attached to your computer, locate the drive in
Device Manager. Once there, double-click on the drive icon to open its
Properties sheet and click the Policies tab. Your choices are explained
there.

If you need further explanation I will be glad to help you...in plain
English. ;-)

 

[Nepatsfan]

Is there such a thing as 'XP Optimizing windows caching algorithm'?

I am installing a new Fantom Gforce Megadisk 1TB external hard drive,
and the manual says this algorithm can and should be changed from
'optimize for performance' to 'optimize for quick removal', and if one
does not, he risks severe data loss. So I want to do it.

I cannot find the feature in my XP. The manual says it is under
windows\system32\diskmgmt.msc, but I sure don't see this option.
Am I missing something?

I think you'll find that 'Optimize for quick removal' is already set for
your new external hard drive. To find out, do the following.

Run diskmgmt.msc as advised.
You should see your new hard drive listed in the upper pane.
Right click on it and select Properties from the menu.
In the drive's properties sheet, click on the Hardware tab.
Find your drive in the list and click on it so it's highlighted.
Hit the Properties button.
Click on the Policies tab.
Check if the setting is for 'Optimize for quick removal'.

Note: You can also start @ My Computer or Device Manager to access the
drive's properties sheet.

If you continue to have issues with this drive you might want to contact the
manufacturer.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[jw]

I think you'll find that 'Optimize for quick removal' is already set for
your new external hard drive. To find out, do the following.

I found the spot. Thanks you two.
I wish 'optimize for quick removal' were already set, but alas it is
not. 'Optimize for performance' is. Worse yet, the selections are
grayed out so's I cannot change things. I do have administrator
privileges.

Thanks

Duke

 

[Leonard Grey]

This is just my opinion; you are welcome to disagree:

I prefer to 'optimize for performance' and leave cacheing in place. My
life is not so busy that I can't spare two clicks to Safely Remove
Hardware, and that way I don't have to worry about data loss.

 

[jw]

This is just my opinion; you are welcome to disagree:

I prefer to 'optimize for performance' and leave cacheing in place. My
life is not so busy that I can't spare two clicks to Safely Remove
Hardware, and that way I don't have to worry about data loss.

Hi Len-

I have been using smaller USB external HDs in the past and often when
I try the 'click to safely remove hardware' often it says it cannot do
it because the drive is still in use despite the fact that it is not
in use by me. I have always worried that when I shut down thereafter
that I would lose data in the cache (buffer). I don't know that I
ever did, but it was cause for my concern. Now with this bigger 1T
HD, I figger I will have the same situation.

I do like the speed I have now - I am using eSATA not USB. So I hate
to lose that. But the other choice 'optimize for quick removal'
seemed a safer way to go. I wanted also to see what that cost me in
processing speeds, but since the choices are grayed out, I can't
change it anyway. Unless you can tell me how that is.

Thanks for you interest.

Duke

 

[jw]

Can I ask you, in "My Computer", if you select from the 'top' menus : 'View' > 'Arrange Icons By' > 'Show in Groups' - under which group does the
drive [in question] appear - "Hard Disk Drives" or "Drives with Removable Storage" ?

Under hard disk drives

Also, when you look at it's 'Properties' page, under the 'Policies' tab' - what, exactly, is "greyed out"?

Exactly like yours.

Does it look anything like this?.......

It looks exactly like your graphic.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Duke

 

[Tim Meddick]

Well there is your answer!

The drive is being treated as a fixed disk.

If the drive came with some software which you had to install, there may be an option
to change how to treat the drive - as fixed or removable.

If no software came with the drive, then you are going to have to treat the drive as
if it were an internal hard-drive.
i.e; you are never meant to simply unplug the drive - ever!

Because "Safely remove this device" is not available for this drive - you must never
unplug it while the PC [Windows] is running.

It is perfectly safe to shut down the PC with the usual Windows 'shutdown' options,
as ALL DISK CACHES are then 'flushed', that is - written to disk - as Windows shuts
down the PC.

You can then unplug the drive - only when the computer is safely OFF.

But bear in mind that the USB cable is safely 'tucked away' and cannot 'catch' on
anything and accidentally pull out while switched on!

If you don't mind observing this "rule" (and it is - a RULE), then there is no danger
of any data loss...

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Can I ask you, in "My Computer", if you select from the 'top' menus : 'View' >
'Arrange Icons By' > 'Show in Groups' - under which group does the
drive [in question] appear - "Hard Disk Drives" or "Drives with Removable Storage"
?

Under hard disk drives

Also, when you look at it's 'Properties' page, under the 'Policies' tab' - what,
exactly, is "greyed out"?

Exactly like yours.

Does it look anything like this?.......

It looks exactly like your graphic.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Duke

 

[jw]

Well there is your answer!

The drive is being treated as a fixed disk.

If the drive came with some software which you had to install, there may be an option
to change how to treat the drive - as fixed or removable.

There was not any software.

If no software came with the drive, then you are going to have to treat the drive as
if it were an internal hard-drive.
i.e; you are never meant to simply unplug the drive - ever!

That would be ok.

Because "Safely remove this device" is not available for this drive - you must never
unplug it while the PC [Windows] is running.

I agree.

It is perfectly safe to shut down the PC with the usual Windows 'shutdown' options,
as ALL DISK CACHES are then 'flushed', that is - written to disk - as Windows shuts
down the PC.

You can then unplug the drive - only when the computer is safely OFF.

But bear in mind that the USB cable is safely 'tucked away' and cannot 'catch' on
anything and accidentally pull out while switched on!

If you don't mind observing this "rule" (and it is - a RULE), then there is no danger
of any data loss...
Thanks

Duke
==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Can I ask you, in "My Computer", if you select from the 'top' menus : 'View' >
'Arrange Icons By' > 'Show in Groups' - under which group does the
drive [in question] appear - "Hard Disk Drives" or "Drives with Removable Storage"
?

Under hard disk drives

Also, when you look at it's 'Properties' page, under the 'Policies' tab' - what,
exactly, is "greyed out"?

Exactly like yours.

Does it look anything like this?.......

It looks exactly like your graphic.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Duke

 

[Touch Base]

Is there such a thing as 'XP Optimizing windows caching algorithm'?

I am installing a new Fantom Gforce Megadisk 1TB external hard drive,
and the manual says this algorithm can and should be changed from
'optimize for performance' to 'optimize for quick removal', and if one
does not, he risks severe data loss. So I want to do it.

I cannot find the feature in my XP. The manual says it is under
windows\system32\diskmgmt.msc, but I sure don't see this option.
Am I missing something?

=============================================================
Does this information spread more light on the subject.?


eSATA is designed to be hot-swappable via a SATA port

But in saying that read this post it has some interesting information direct
from the horses mouth so to speak...

"Based on our contacts with the SATA-IO organization
(http://www.sata-io.org), the lead organization developing specifications
for the SATA-IO HDs, (the "IO" denoting "International Organization"),
formerly called SATA-II (and apparently still known by that latter
designation by most users), and a number of HD manufacturers, here's what
we've been able to glean re this "hot-plugging" issue as it applies to SATA
HDs...

There are two basic requirements for SATA hard drives to be "hot-pluggable"
(a/k/a "hot-swappable"), to wit... "

http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-2461304.php


--
Regards,
Touch Base
Report back on the results, good or bad so others may benefit

"There's an old story about the person who wished his computer were as easy
to use as his telephone. That wish has come true, since I no longer know
how to use my telephone." (Bjarne Stroustrup, computer scientist and creator
of the C++ programming language.)

 

[Tim Meddick]

If the SATA drive belonging to the OP had been configurable as a 'removable drive'
......

(please refer to your own link about this
http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-2461304.php )

.......then the options under the 'Policies' tab on the drive's properties page in
Device Manager, would be different, and 'Optimize for quick removal' would have been
available.

The OP, when asked if there was any additional software or configurable options to
change the way Windows treated the drive (as removable) - the answer was that no such
software or options were available...

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.