Windows Vista, Flash Memory USB?

[Michaelvg1]

I can't remember where I read this, but some were talking about how Windows Vista allows you to plug in a Flash drive for added Ram functionality when using FSX. Is this true and how would you do this exactly?

Although my setup is performing quite well now with one GB Ram, maybe this is a inexpensive fix until I purchase more memory later.

[ATI_7500]

Well, the flash memory option is, as far as I can remember, only suitable for the swap file.

As a replacement for "real" Ram, it would be way too slow.

[EGNX]

I'll quote myself

A neat little thing if your on Vista is to boost RAM with the space left on your USB sticks (Over 256MB), so I plug in 2 of my 512MB USB sticks into my comp... and hey presto 1 extra GIG! And the performance is quite noticable!

Just plug in two 512MB USB sticks and Vista should ask you if you would like to use Ready Boost on these devices and bump up your RAM... Obviously its not as good as actually going out and buying more RAM for you comp, but in the words of Tesco, 'Every little helps!'

If the Vista doesn't ask about you if you want to use Ready Boost, go into My Computer and right click properties on the USB stick and there should be a tab containing it.

[Michaelvg1]

Great.  Thanks...
What is exactly going on behind the scenes then with FSX?  How is it going to improve the performance?

At least temporarily until I get more real RAM...

It still works great on my new computer.

[EGNX]

[quote]Great.

[Michaelvg1]

OK but how does the FSX Application know to send info to the USB Flash Drive instead of the main RAM?

[EGNX]

The FSX Application doesn't, the computer does...

[Michaelvg1]

That's great.. Thanks for your help.   I will see if I can increase Autogen even further now?

[Daube]

To be more precise, this "USB memory" will offer an alternative to the harddisk swap file for your computer.
The flashdrives are slower than real RAM memory, but it is faster than a harddisk for the swap file.
As a consequences, you get faster file access times, so your scenery loads faster, and the file accesses do not slow down your computer.
Of course, this would be MUCH quicker with real RAM, but as already stated above, every little step helps

[Michaelvg1]

I tried my pocket PNY USB Flash, but Windows Vista  said that it's not capable of Ready Boost.  Are there special ones out there?  WHat are they called?  Where can I get one?

[EGNX]

Hmmm... Just go out and buy a new one, should be compatible... even so, Vista said that one of my USB's wasn't compatable for Ready Boost but I went into the USB's properties and try Ready Boost again and it worked....  :-? Lol  :)

[Michaelvg1]

I just went to J&R and picked up a 1GB SD Card.  I figured I would not use that slot for anything anyway so why not just get a Card for more RAM.  Hopefully when I get home Windows Vista will approve the device.  It's a San Disk Extreme III.  20MB per second read/write.
Does that sound good?

[ATI_7500]

20MB per second read/write.
Does that sound good?

Not convincing to me.

I think you're really better off with a new Ram module.

[Michaelvg1]

In due time.  this was $40 compared to $400 worth of new RAM. Don't really need all that right now.  Perhaps next year.
This should do, besides my curent set up is working very well, especially after performng all those great tweaks I read on different forums.
We'll see.

[Tjw2]

What if you are running a USB slpitter that allows you to use 3 usb devices while only using one plug could you plug in 3 1gb flash drives.

How much do you think this will help