CD ROM Read Ahead Optimisation

In Windows 98 and earlier there was a setting under Control Panel-System that allowed you to optimise your CDROM for > 4x speed etc, ie enable a read ahead cache.

Where, oh where, my friends, is this setting in XP?

Tearing me hair out!

 

Hi, Schnozz ~

• My Computer > right-click respective CD drive > 'Properties'
• Go to 'Recording' tab for some settings
• Then go to 'Hardware' tab > select drive > 'Properties' button > 'Properties' tab for other settings

 

Thank you Bruce

This is not the setting I need (already tried this before). Perhaps I should explain another way...

In Win98 under Control Panel, System, File Settings (I think) there was a setting specifically that enabled you to choose the speed of the CDROM and went under the heading of:

"optimise your CDROM for greater than 4 x" etc;

That is you could enable a read ahead cache, or set it to read directly from the CD with no read ahead buffering.

Does this narrow it down? I still can't find it!

Many thanks for replying previously.

Schnozz

 

Hi, Schnozz ~

Sorry, but that was as clear as mud.

I have seen no such setting on a Win98 machine w/CD-ROM and am not sure what you speak of is integrated into Win98, but rather an applet add-in from the software/drivers you had at that time.

At any rate, if your intention is to modify only ROM speed:

• 'My Computer' > right-click respective CD-ROM drive > 'Properties' > 'Hardware' tab > select drive > 'Properties' button > 'Properties' tab

as this tab holds the settings that determine the way in which Windows uses the CD-ROM for playing CD music. There may be additional settings enabled as a result of the CD-ROM device manufacturer software/driver applet plug-ins, but there is no such setting of which you speak native to the XP OS software.

If you wish to adjust recording speed, the previous post above's second bulleted item stands.

Maybe what you are seeking is to read directly from the CD and bypass the CPU:

• Right-click 'My Computer' > 'Properties' > 'Hardware' tab
• Click 'Device Manager' button > double-click 'IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers'
• Double-click 'Primary IDE Channel' > 'Advanced Settings' tab
• Next to 'Transfer Mode:', select 'DMA if available' from drop-down box > 'OK'
• Close 'Device Manager' window > 'OK' in 'System Properties' window

This takes the dataflow from your CD direct to your RAM rather than through the processor which speeds things up, frees up CPU cycles, and alleviates buffer issues.

I hope this helps with what you are really after

 

Thank ye Laddie!

Most eloquently, nay elegantly put!

The spot has been well and truly hit and I thank you very much.

Schnozzle