What Is ReadyBoost?

ReadyBoost is a new feature available in Windows Vista that allows users to plug any ReadyBoost capable USB flash drive into a USB 2.0 port to be used as cache or virtual memory.

The advantages of this feature is that its much faster to cache to a USB drive then to the hard drive making for improved performance. Also for systems that do not have enough physical memory (RAM) to run Vista smoothly it is a very cheap alternative to buying more physical memory that would cost you more then twice as much over a USB flash drive.

While a USB flash drive in ReadyBoost mode will not replace the speed you would obtain from having more physical memory, ReadyBoost is an extremely cheap and easy way to boost your systems performance without breaking the bank.

How To Get Started With ReadyBoost

Getting started with ReadyBoost is really as easy as plugging in your flash drive. Once you have inserted the flash drive into its designated port, Windows Vista will check to see if its performance is fast enough to be used with ReadyBoost.

If everything checks out you will be asked if you want to use this device to speed up system performance. Do so, and choose the amount of space on the flash drive that you want to use for ReadyBoost, the rest can be used to store files anyway you choose. Click "Apply" then "OK" and you're done.

Now that ReadyBoost has been set up successfuly you can now enjoy a faster PC.

ReadyBoost Capable Flash Drives on Amazon

Boost Your PC's Performance With These Flash Drives

Kingston Data Traveler 2 GB USB Drive (DTI/2GB)

Amazon Price: $10.87 (as of 10/07/2008)

PNY 2 GB Attache USB Hard Drive

Amazon Price: $11.88 (as of 10/07/2008)

SanDisk 4 GB Cruzer Micro with U3 ( SDCZ6-4096-A11, Retail Package)

Amazon Price: $20.99 (as of 10/07/2008)

Windows ReadyBoost: It Really Speeds up your PC!

powered by YouTube

Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

Using it Myself

Currently running a 4G, works very well

Your Old One Will Not Work? Try This

The way Vista tests a USB flash device for use with ReadyBoost can be a little 'deceptive'. Some USB flash devices will initially test as not compatable, however, they may really be compatable. Theres a little trick to it that the average user may not realize, and this may be the reason why some USB flash devices are not listed in the various lists on line as comptable with ReadyBoost when in actuality they may be compatable.

When you first plug a USB flash drive in Vista comes up and asks you what you want to do with it, one of the options is to use it to speed up your system, click on this and Vista will check the flash device for compatability with ReadyBoost. The problem is that the very first test may not be accurate if it comes back and tells you that the device can't be used for ReadyBoost when it may be perfectly capable for use with ReadyBoost. So...here's the trick to determine if your device is or is not compatable with ReadyBoost;

1. Insert the USB flash device, and let Vista detect the device. When it comes up and asks you want you want to do close the GUI and do not make any selection.

2. Next, go to USB Flash device in explorer or disk management and format the device. Format the USB device you plan to use for ReadyBoost with NTFS and cluster sizes of 4096. Name the drive something you want like 'My_ReadyBoost' or something.

3. After the format is complete right click on the USB device and choose 'Properties' then the 'ReadyBoost' tab.

4. On the ReadyBoost tab unckeck the box to stop testing the device every time.

5. Next, click the Test again button. If the tab changes from the test tab to a tab that gives you two options of 'Do not use this device' and 'Use this device'. Check the 'Use this device' box and do not make any other changes on the tab especially to the 'Space to reserve for system speed' slider, leave the 'Space to reserve for system speed' setting at what ever Vista recommended.

6. Click 'Apply' then 'OK'. Your done.

The fact that the tab changes is not a true indication of ReadyBoost capability. Some flash devices may in fact allow this tab to be shown and still not be ReadyBoost capable. To determine if your device will indeed be ReadyBoost capable look on the flash device after you complete the above steps, if a file named ReadyBoost.sfcache exists on the flash device and the flash device is actually being used when you access any hard drive in your computer to start up an application then congratulations as your device may actually be ReadyBoost capable even if it initially tested as not capable.

May or may not work for all USB flash devices, If the tab with the two options in step 5 above will not come up, or the file named ReadyBoost.sfcache does not appear on the device, then the device is truly not compatable with ReadyBoost so you will not be able to use it for that purpose. The flash device must handle a capacity of between 2 to 3 times your installed RAM. While your using the device as a ReadyBoost drive you can't use it for normal storage purposes you can only use it for ReadyBoost. The ReadyBoost device must be USB 2.0 and the USB port your plugging it into must also be USB 2.0.

Download readyBoost Monitor, readyBoost Monitor 1.0.6 Download: Sep 28, 2008 ... Free readyBoost Monitor Download, readyBoost Monitor 1.0.6 Download. Url : http://www.brothersoft.com/readyboost-monitor-174970.html Cache (Ranked #29)
Windows Vista SuperFetch / ReadyBoost analyzed - Engadget: Furthermore, the crew found ReadyBoost equally impressive and infinitely useful, and while using both features in conjunction, opening applications such as ... Url : http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/05/windows-vista-superfetch-readyboost-analyzed/ Cache (Ranked #27)
ReadyBoost on the Run | Geek.com: One of the most notable new features in Windows Vista is ReadyBoost. This is a caching feature that uses flash memory in order to speed up Vista’s ... Url : http://www.geek.com/articles/chips/readyboost-on-the-run-2007043/ Cache (Ranked #29)
YouTube - Windows Vista- Ready Boost: http://www.vistameetsnick.com yes this really works. Come here and find out how to make computer faster with this. Url : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS6DVRRAcng Cache (Ranked #21)
Vista: Speed up Windows Vista with a flash drive: Dec 13, 2006 ... Plug in your drive and choose "Speed up my system" from the AutoPlay menu to enable ReadyBoost, which uses some fancy-pants disk-caching to ... Url : http://lifehacker.com/software/vista/speed-up-windows-vista-with-a-flash-drive-221592.php Cache (Ranked #26)

Share your knowledge. Make a difference.

What Is ReadyBoost? - ReadyBoost Flash Drives

Rate this Lens