Using flash drive as RAM in Windows Vista

Adding extra memory (RAM) is one of the best ways to improve computer performance. But that was a limited resource as some computers may not exists extra RAM slots on the motherboard, and sometimes may be difficult due to incompatibility. In windows vista there's feature that can use flash drive as RAM. It is called windows ReadyBoost. It is a new concept in adding memory to the system. You can use USB Flash drive as an optional RAM. This will increases the RAM capacity and you can speedup computer or run multiple applications at the same time.

The flash drive serves as an additional memory cache that is memory that the computer can access much more quickly than it can access data on the hard drive. It is easy to use and you can also use Secure Digital (SD) memory for this. Windows will check the memory for the speed and you can allocate a space from your memory card and can use the remaining space to save your files.

This is how to use a readyboost. First is to explain that not all USB stick supports ReadyBoost. To find flash drives that support Windows ReadyBoost, look for the words "Enhanced for ReadyBoost" or something similar printed on the packaging of the flash drive itself. But recently I found a great list of ReadyBoost compatible flash drives compiled by Gran Gibson >> here <<

In order to get started using Windows ReadyBoost, simply :

1. Start Vista and logon
2. Plug it a ReadyBoost compatible flash drive into your Vista computer's USB port. If it is a compatible drive, Vista will detect it and display a prompt asking what you would like to do with this drive. For this guide I am using the Thosiba USB flash drive.

Click on the Speed up my system using Windows ReadyBoost option.

Most people do not see it because when USB is inserted, not all of them out, or sometimes ReadyBoost setting is located at the bottom so u have to scroll past on the AutoPlay menu.

3. Navigate to the ReadyBoost tab along the top

If the flash drive not supported it will look like this:

Try to click Test Again. If lucky, your flash drive can may be compatible.

4. Next, click on the Use this Device radio button (clickable circle), and select the amount of the device you want to use. Windows has a recommended amount of space to use. At least a 1:1 ratio between ReadyBoost memory and physical memory. It is important to note, though, that any space you assign to be used by ReadyBoost will not be available to use for storing files on the flash drive while in ReadyBoost mode.

When you are satisfied with the settings, click on the Apply and then the OK buttons. And wait, it usually takes a few seconds to engage.

5. That's it, flash drive is now assigned as your ReadyBoost device and will be used as cache when computer run out of physical RAM.

For the video directions can be seen below.

• To determining if Windows ReadyBoost is working or not is simply to open the folder of the removable storage device that we are using as the ReadyBoost drive. Once you open the drive you will see a file called ReadyBoost and it will have a file type description of ReadyBoost Cache File. The size of the file will also be the same as what you allocated towards ReadyBoost. An example of this type of file can be seen below.

Note: disenabling ReadyBoost for your device before removing it (though I have heard all the data on the drive is backed up elsewhere and it SHOULDN'T matter), simply navigate back to the ReadyBoost tab as described above, and "Safely Remove" your device.