Author Topic: RAMdisk on XP 32bit - brainstorming! (Read 62941 times)

Nod5 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 12, 2009, 04:01 PM »

Ok now I have 6GB. Windows XP 32bit reports it as 3.2GB free.

I then:
- installed the RamDisk Plus 9.0 trial.
- File > memory... > unmanaged > configure > enable... CHECK
- checked available ram in process manager: 2.9 GB (with a few other programs running...)
- created a 2GB ramdisk and filled it with files
- checked available ram in process manager: 2.9 GB

Bonuskort · « **Reply #26 on:** May 18, 2009, 12:43 AM »

I installed Gavotte and it worked perfectly except that Vista (32-bit) will not enter hibernation mode any more. Anyone else this happens to?

Vista complains that the ramdisk driver does not support hibernation.

Nod5 · « **Reply #27 on:** May 18, 2009, 05:25 PM »

Gavotte to works well on my XP 32bit system too.

I don't have Vista so I can't reproduce what you describe -- hopefully someone else can.

4wd · « **Reply #28 on:** May 19, 2009, 02:17 PM »

I installed Gavotte and it worked perfectly except that Vista (32-bit) will not enter hibernation mode any more. Anyone else this happens to?

Vista complains that the ramdisk driver does not support hibernation.
-Bonuskort (May 18, 2009, 12:43 AM)

I don't run Vista but I do have Win7 x86 installed on another PC and Gavotte both installs and runs fine - no impact on Sleep mode.

Haven't checked for using it above 3GB yet though.

Zero3K · « **Reply #29 on:** May 20, 2009, 06:19 PM »

There's another RAM Disk software out there that I just learned of. Its called VSuite Ramdisk and has three versions (Free/Public, Professional, and Server). You can find it at http://www.romexsoftware.com. I just installed it and have had no BSODs so far (on Windows 7). I would have to say that its fast and efficient.

f0dder · « **Reply #30 on:** May 20, 2009, 07:02 PM »

There's another RAM Disk software out there that I just learned of. Its called VSuite Ramdisk and has three versions (Free/Public, Professional, and Server). You can find it at http://www.romexsoftware.com. I just installed it and have had no BSODs so far (on Windows 7). I would have to say that its fast and efficient.
-Zero3K (May 20, 2009, 06:19 PM)

Wow, the feature list for that one looks really nice, pretty impressive free version!

Too bad it seems to be 32bit only

edbro · « **Reply #31 on:** May 20, 2009, 07:15 PM »

I wouldn't get too excited. I took a look and some of the features they advertise are not yet implemented.

Autosave will not be in the Public Edition...
Currently Autosave are also not enabled in the Professional Edition and the Server Edition. We are testing how to deal with big-size file.

Zero3K · « **Reply #32 on:** May 20, 2009, 10:28 PM »

There's another RAM Disk software out there that I just learned of. Its called VSuite Ramdisk and has three versions (Free/Public, Professional, and Server). You can find it at http://www.romexsoftware.com. I just installed it and have had no BSODs so far (on Windows 7). I would have to say that its fast and efficient.
-Zero3K (May 20, 2009, 06:19 PM)
Wow, the feature list for that one looks really nice, pretty impressive free version!

Too bad it seems to be 32bit only
-f0dder (May 20, 2009, 07:02 PM)

I just posted a message on its forum (http://romexsoftware.com/bbs/index.php) regarding making 64-bit versions of its editions.

f0dder · « **Reply #33 on:** May 21, 2009, 02:26 AM »

There's another RAM Disk software out there that I just learned of. Its called VSuite Ramdisk and has three versions (Free/Public, Professional, and Server). You can find it at http://www.romexsoftware.com. I just installed it and have had no BSODs so far (on Windows 7). I would have to say that its fast and efficient.
-Zero3K (May 20, 2009, 06:19 PM)
Wow, the feature list for that one looks really nice, pretty impressive free version!

Too bad it seems to be 32bit only
-f0dder (May 20, 2009, 07:02 PM)
I just posted a message on its forum (http://romexsoftware.com/bbs/index.php) regarding making 64-bit versions of its editions.
-Zero3K (May 20, 2009, 10:28 PM)

64-bit support should, really, be no more than changing compiler, unless their code sucks. Getting the driver running on 64-bit systems, however, is more work - for Vista, it requires the users to run in "testsigning mode" (which has some disadvantages), or that the company shells out for a driver signing certificate from Microsoft.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #34 on:** May 21, 2009, 04:51 AM »

According to the features page:

Supported OS

Windows 2000, Windows XP (32-bit), Windows 2003 (32-bit)
Windows XP (64-bit), Windows 2003 (64-bit), Windows Vista (32-/64-bit)*

* indicated function or feature is not integrated into current version of VSuite.

see http://www.romexsoft...products/vsuite.html

Not overly sure what the * refers to - does it mean all version of Vista or just Vista64 ?

Also it is not clear which features are included in which versions because the features page is identical for free, pro and server versions (in fact it is the same page).

Update - there is a comparison at http://www.romexsoft...disk-comparison.html

Update 2 - having read the comparison chart it appears that the * above actually refers to all the 64 bit OSes and Vista 32 (i.e. the whole line) so it is rather confusing/misleading of them to put that information on the 'features' page at all!!

The lack of support for Vista 32 makes you wonder where the development is going with this app though for XP users the free version looks very good (assuming it works as stated).

Zero3K · « **Reply #35 on:** May 21, 2009, 10:14 AM »

They're working on adding support for Windows Vista/7.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #36 on:** May 22, 2009, 05:42 AM »

Seems a bit slow in coming for Vista given the length of time Vista has been the primary OS for Windows boxes (at least according to MS). It is also very strange that they say it is 64 bit compat but then say it isn't ???

4wd · « **Reply #37 on:** May 22, 2009, 06:16 AM »

Seems a bit slow in coming for Vista given the length of time Vista has been the primary OS for Windows boxes (at least according to MS). It is also very strange that they say it is 64 bit compat but then say it isn't ???
-Carol Haynes (May 22, 2009, 05:42 AM)

Maybe they knew of Microsoft's plans for Vista, (

), and decided it wasn't worth the effort until Win7

Zero3K · « **Reply #38 on:** May 23, 2009, 02:06 PM »

It works just fine on Vista/7. All you have to do is enable the XP SP3 compatibility mode for its installer and its configuration program.

4wd · « **Reply #39 on:** October 21, 2009, 01:31 AM »

Just thought I'd add to this thread for those that were interested.

VSuite Ramdisk now supports Windows 2000 to Windows 7 in 32/64 bit flavours.

Supported OS

Windows 2000, Windows XP (32-/64-bit), Windows 2003 (32-bit/64-bit), Windows Vista (32-/64-bit), Windows 2008 (32-/64-bit), Windows 7 (32-/64-bit)

note: Free Edition only supports Windows 2000/XP(32-bit)/2003(32-bit)

Note though, that the 64bit versions cost a little more than the 32bit versions.

Nod5 · « **Reply #40 on:** May 15, 2010, 07:07 AM »

Here's an updated roundup of ramdisk software. Update based on searching/website reading, I haven't had time to try new versions. I use Gavotte but plan to switch. Ramdisks are amazingly useful! Some uses: scratchdisk for image/video editing, download location for torrents, unrar location for video files before viewing, temp disk when you're doing a lot of file manipulations/conversions, proxy location for image thumbnails, use it to run disk intensive games, ...

SuperSpeed -- http://www.superspeed.com/ramdisk.php
1. Ramdisk Plus 11.0.1 ($60)
2. RamDisk 11.0.1 ($40)

RamDisk Plus: "can use "unmanaged" Windows' memory e.g. above 4GB. It can also use the stubbornly inaccessable memory between 3.2GB and 4GB."
http://www.superspee...ad/trialversions.php
http://www.superspee...d/ramdisk-secure.php

- not free, expensive (only free trial)
+ actively developed
+ uses memory above 3.x GB in XP 32bit (only for Plus version!)
+ clear webpage, support, microsoft certified partner

DataRam RamDisk (formerly Cenatek) -- http://memory.datara...ces/software/ramdisk
v 3.5.130RC13a (released 2008/2009?)
free for <4GB disks, >4GB after free registration

+ free
+ (new) uses unused memory over 4GB in xp 32bit: "...allow you to enable a feature of RAMDisk that will allow you to use memory above the 4GB limit for 32-bit versions of Windows."
http://memory.datara...ser_Manual_35(1).pdf
(I have not tried it yet)

Gavotte Ramdisk -- https://bbs.et8.net/...wthread.php?t=906641
ramdisk5.7z (free) -- released 2008-11-17

+ free
- unclear developer, no official page
+ uses memory above 3.x GB in XP 32bit
http://translate.goo...atwiki.jp/gavotterd/
http://www.mydigital...000-and-2003-server/

Romex -- http://www.romexsoft...e.com/main/products/
1. VSuite Ramdisk Free
2. VSuite Ramdisk Standard ($30)
3. VSuite Ramdisk Professional ($50)
http://www.romexsoft...disk-comparison.html

"... provides solution for the well-known "4GB RAM in 32-bit Windows" issue, thereby allowing all of its installed RAM to be fully utilised."
http://www.romexsoft...e.com/main/products/

+ free (one version)
+ uses memory above 3.x GB in XP 32bit (as far as I can tell this goes for all three versions...)

--------------------------
Qsoft RAMDisk
RAMDisk Enterprise 5.3.2.12 ($ ??) -- 2010-05-10
http://members.fortu...MDisk/ramdiskent.htm
http://members.fortu...Download/brewing.htm

- not free
- can't use memory above 3.x GB in XP 32bit
- website problems: download not working, most of (fortunecity) homepage down, no contact info to author.
Really weird, given that the product seems to be continuously updated!

AR Soft -- http://www.arsoft-online.com/
AR RAM Disk (free) 1.20 -- released 2009-04-23

http://www.arsoft-on...;id=26&Itemid=47
"The AR RAM Disk is no longer supported by AR Soft. You may continue to use the RAM Disk, but we will not provide any help or additional information. Since the development of this product has been stopped there will no more versions of the software."

+ free
- end of life
- can't use unused memory over 4GB in xp 32bit

ImDisk -- http://www.ltr-data....opencode.html#ImDisk
1. ImDisk (freeware) 1.1.4 -- 2009-04-21

+ free
+ actively developed ; author active in forum
+ can also mount image files (e.g. DVD .iso )
- can't use memory above 3.x GB in XP 32bit (but maybe later)

http://www.ltr-data....opencode.html#ImDisk (official page)
http://www.boot-land...t=SF&s=&f=59 (official forum)
http://www.boot-land...x.php?showtopic=9637
(post from november 2009 where the dev says that support for memory above 3.x GB in XP 32bit is likely in the future)

FarStone -- http://www.farstone....virtualdrive-pro.php
VirtualDrive Pro 12($47)
- not free
- can't use memory above 3.x GB in XP 32bit (as far as I can tell...)

changelog:
100515 added Romex, reordered list, small updates
090511 added ImDisk, Farstone

Dormouse · « **Reply #41 on:** May 15, 2010, 09:22 AM »

I notice that the SoftPerfect RAM disk is coming up at BdJ tomorrow ($9)

majoMO · « **Reply #42 on:** May 16, 2010, 10:49 AM »

A very useful info, Nod5. Thanks for that.

Steven Avery · « **Reply #43 on:** April 13, 2012, 09:26 AM »

Hi,

I notice that the SoftPerfect RAM disk is coming up at BdJ tomorrow ($9)
-Dormouse (May 15, 2010, 09:22 AM)

This is up on Bits again today. Any comparisions from our techies ?

Steven

4wd · « **Reply #44 on:** April 13, 2012, 07:41 PM »

I notice that the SoftPerfect RAM disk is coming up at BdJ tomorrow ($9)
-Dormouse (May 15, 2010, 09:22 AM)
This is up on Bits again today. Any comparisions from our techies ?
-Steven Avery (April 13, 2012, 09:26 AM)

Just looking at the specs would seem to indicate it can't make use of the unused portion of 4GB RAM, (512-768MB), on x86 systems:

Any number of RAM disks. In practice, up to 26 disks due to the number of drive letters available.
Any RAM disk size on 64-bit systems. Up to approximately 3.5 GB on 32-bit systems.
Persistent RAM disks with an associated on-disk image.
Volatile RAM disks whose content disappears on shutdown.
Built-in disk image manipulation tools.

This alone would put it one below the likes of free alternatives imdisk and Gavotte IMO.
The Persistent RAM disks are easily achieved via Logon/Logoff scripts.
The Built-in disk image manipulation tool sounds nice but in reality you could just load the RAM disk with image and then save it out after changes.