Suggested SMARTDrive and RAMDrive Configurations in Windows (81211)

SUMMARY

The following are suggested settings for the SMARTDrive and RAMDrive device drivers with Windows version 3.0 standard and enhanced modes. These settings are based on the total system memory in the machine. Note that in the table, "SMARTDrive Size" refers to the minimum cache size. You specify this size as the second parameter to the SMARTDrive command line in the CONFIG.SYS file. The second parameter is available starting with SMARTDrive version 3.03. For example:

Device=C:\DOS\SMARTDRV.SYS 2048 1024

Page 536 of the "Microsoft Windows User's Guide" suggests installing a 256K RAMDrive and then setting the TEMP environment variable to the RAMDrive drive letter. This is possible to accomplish but NOT recommended by Microsoft.

Using a small RAMDrive for the TEMP variable and printing large jobs will cause problems. The minimum RAMDrive setting depends on the total memory installed in your system. The RAMDrive is installed in the CONFIG.SYS file. For example:

DEVICE=C:\DOS\RAMDRIVE.SYS /E 2048

MORE INFORMATION

Standard Mode

If standard mode is your normal operating environment, the following is true:

   Megabytes       SMARTDrive      RAMDrive        Set TEMP to
                   Size            Size            RAMDrive?
   ---------       ----------      --------        -----------

   1               0               0               No
   2               0               0               No
   3               512             512             No
   4               1024            1024            No
   5               1024            2048            Yes
   6               1024            2048            Yes
   7               1536            2560            Yes
   8               2048            3072            Yes
   9               2048            4096            Yes
   10              3072            4096            Yes
   11              4096            4096            Yes
   12              4096            4096            Yes

Enhanced Mode

If enhanced mode is your normal operating environment, the following is true:

   Megabytes       SMARTDrive      RAMDrive        Set TEMP to
                   Size            Size            RAMDrive?
   ---------       ----------      --------        -----------

   1               0               0               No
   2               0               0               No
   3               512             0               No
   4               1024            0               No
   5               1024            1024            Yes
   6               1024            1024            Yes
   7               1536            1536            Yes
   8               2048            2048            Yes
   9               2048            3072            Yes
   10              3072            4096            Yes
   11              4096            4096            Yes
   12              4096            4096            Yes

Because there are many factors other than the Windows mode and system memory that affect performance, you should experiment with other settings to establish an environment that meets your needs.