Windows Vista ReadyBoost using a SanDisk 8GB Cruzer Micro on Vista 64-bit?

Hey everyone. I'm going to buy two of the SanDisk 8GB Cruzer's to hopefully be able to use the U3 technology, and obviously for the mass storage. I also want to possibly, if it's really a worthwhile thing to do, use one of them for ReadyBoost.

Anyway, this is what I want to buy!

Let's see if the following hypothetical scenario is realistic, and if so, to what extent.

If I allocate the ENTIRE 8GB to Vista for use as ReadyBoost, would it just cache all, or most of Vista, and in the process, provide me with high speeds with most every task?? Would Vista then do what, simply cache tons of files, and basically use the Cruzer's 8GB as a "crazy fast hard drive "?

That sounds a tad idealistic, so please correct me if I'm wrong. ReadyBoost is not just for booting up Vista faster, is it?? I remember reading some posts that were fairly negative as far as ReadyBoost's (limited) abilities, and on some other forums, I have even seen one member posting about it and calling it fairly useless.

As far as 64-bit compatibility, SanDisk's site was surprisingly silent about that, and only ever said the Cruzer, including the U3 technology, was "Vista-compatible ". I only found this one site, where the distinction between 32-bit and 64-bit was made. This was on U3's site, as you can see, not on SanDisk's.

So what am I missing here. Are any of my assertions realistic at all, and if so, to what extent?

Thanks everybody. Man, if this works, I might as well get at least one that's 16GB in size.

Thank you!!

 

Thanks Arie...long time no anything... Alright, so the Cruzer USB Flash drive, and never mind this ReadyBoost, WILL be x64-compatible?? Don't I need a driver to run it? They scream it's Vista compatible, but NEVER make the distinction between x86 and x64! USB flash drives do need a driver to run, no?

Thanks again dude!

 

Heh...Awesome Arie...Thanks!! That's excellent news!

I hope you don't just mean the ReadyBoost feature, as I was only going to use 1GB max. for that. So the ENTIRE drive will be x64-compatible, including the U3 feature?? Sorry, I didn't really clarify that before.

I want to be able to use it as a mass storage device, and have the 8GB show up as drive G: or whatever. The reason I'm a bit cautious is the fact that the 4GB microSD card I have in my Blackberry actually generates a blue screen for me when I had mass storage support set to ON. So in order to sync the BB, I have to set it to OFF!

 

I hear ya. This is my very first USB flash drive, too. There are a lot of scenarios I can see its benefits, so I just bought one off ebay, so let's see what'll happen.

I also have another USB stick without 64-bit driver, and that being a WLAN N Stick for my two FritzBox 7270 routers. Now that I have successdfully cofigured them with WDS beta-firmware, so one acts as a repeater now, I want to get every last kb out of it lol...

It works flawlessly. I'd love to see if the USB wireless-N stick is any better than my integrated Atheros a/b/g/n miniPCIe card. The USB stick also has the Atheros chipset, and was manufactured this year!! My Atheros card is over 2 years old, and not perfectly configured, because I didn't install the 3rd antenna behind the screen, but it's still working amazingly well. I can now watch my TV using my SlingBox, download large files, AND talk on the phone using Skype *simultaneously*. Crazy! If I got a tad more bandwidth, I'd probably be able to sling my TV at over 1,500kbps, which would mean I can set it to VGA mode permanently, and get an even better picture.

That USB stick might just give me that litte extra bandwidth! It also has the Atheros chipset in it!! I guess I'll have to ask my brother to use his laptop (XP x86) to play around with it there.

I guess there aren't any non-specific USB drivers I could use with the USB stick if the manufacturer doesn't have one?? They promised me June in Janurary, and now they're saying "towards the end of the year." ARGHH! As much as I love their products, that's lame. No 1Gbps Ethernet ports either that the Linksys 600N router has had for a year!

I'll sacrifice running Vista in 64-bit, if that USB stick will work significantly better, and downgrade to 32-bit temporarily, until AVM comes out with the x64 driver for it. Hmm...

 

Hi C-D,

Information here about the Sandisk drive and Readyboost:
http://www.sandisk.com/Retail/Default.aspx?CatID=1472

There is no mention of 32 bit vs 64 bit, most drives will be Plug and Play Vista compatible and not require any special drivers. It sounds though, that the USB networking device you are talking about requires special drivers (it is not a data storage device).

See the note:

Not all models will run Readyboost.

I have a 4GB Sandisk Micro. The U3 software can be troublesome in some circumstances. It creates a virtual drive, which I found takes up extra resources and after some problems connecting it to different computers, I ended up uninstalling it.

I can't comment on the network device or SD card.

Matt

 

Hey Matt! Thanks for your post. Well, the drive will be coming early next week. So we have about the same drive. Is yours the Cruzer Micro, or just Micro? What do you use U3 for? I am almost positive that the U3 part of the SanDisk will either not work, or give me problems.

Well, I like the concept of U3, which is why I bought it (ebay, and from the UK co-incidentally! ), and if I find U3 to be something that I will use quite often, and, as I've stated above, if the USB WLAN N Stick from AVM will be giving me significantly improved wireless connections and speeds for my wireless-N network, then the value of having these benefits will outweigh the value of running Vista 64-bit. I will be forced, more or less, to downgrade to Vista 32-bit, until these vendors get their act together. I really do NOT want to do this, but what can I do?????

It seems as though Adobe doesn't take 64-bit seriously either, with their browser plug-in's. It's a small piece of software. There is no reason as to why they cannot develop a 64-bit Flash plug-in, for example. Is there?? What am I missing here?? And what's with Microsoft putting out Silverlight (now 2.0 if I'm not mistaken), and it's STILL only 32-bit!?!?!?

I've run Vista Ultimate x64 with great success, and no problems whatsoever for about 4 1/2 months now. So before SP1 came out. With the improvements in SP1, I wonder (and may soon find out), if 32-bit w/ SP1 is somewhat close to 64-bit!??

I really do not want to downgrade, but I may have no choice. Let's say that the USB WLAN N stick gives me more speed on a consistent basis, making it possible for me to set my SlingPlayer to VGA, instead of QVGA, and therefore making all the HD channels run tons better, too. A possible overall better connection, and improved speeds would mean a whole host of benefits for my wireless-N network. I invested quite a bit of money to buy a 2nd FB 7270, although I got the stick for free in the process. That stick is super-expensive! $120, so 80EUR, or 60 pounds sterling! I see no reason to stick with 64-bit, until the driver issue is remedied by AVM. The same goes for the U3 technology. Usually, vendors will tout " "64-bit capable!" on their respective products, or make mention of it in BOLD that their product has full 64-bit capabilities!

Another example is my recently purchased Blackberry Curve. Its Desktop Manager software quickly gave me a blue screen, when I configured my microSD card as a mass storage device. Again, due lack of drivers. As soon as I turned off mass storage mode, there were NO problems anymore. And since I've pretty much "switched" to Blackberry's for now (from the Treo's), I will need that driver from RIM if I want to run it in modes that Vista 64-bit seemingly cannot support.

Are you using Vista 32 or 64-bit, by the way?

I'd love to hear other peoples' comments on this.

 

crunchdude,

Here is a good article on "Flash-thumb drives "--
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/computers/usb-flash-drives/


I noticed a few people were complaining about the the Cruzer with the U3 saying it would download it programs to whatever computer you use it on and they were not removed by just removing the flash drive
--Some reviewers don't like that the software loads on every computer, and that you can't disable it without uninstalling it entirely--the U3 technology is being phased out by Sandisk in their newer drives--also if can remember right I think one of the reviews said you can only use 4gb with the U3 on vista.

I too am in the market for a flash drive and after reading the reviews I think I narrowed it down to the Kingston DT 100/8GB
http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-DT10...cs&qid=1210816880&sr=8-4#moreAboutThisProduct

For $29.95 its hard to go wrong.

 

You're not kidding...That's a steal, especially w/ shipping being free. Awesome!

Oh, so U3 is basically on its way out? SanDisk developed it, right? Doing a bit of research, I liked the concept, and I liked the deal I got on my SanDisk 8GB, but apparently it comes with quite a few limitations! So, to be able to use the full 8GB, and make it "U3-less ", can I get the U3 back?

By the way, what do you think about SanDisk vs. Kingston quality-wise, if you know?

Thanks...

 

Never seen any articles comparing the "quality" of Flash drives.

 

Ahh...well, I got myself a 2nd 8GB one, and it's the same one you're getting. I'm paying a tad more, though.

Just tested the USB Fritzy wireless-N stick on my dad's Vista x86 Thinkpad, and I couldn't see any difference. In fact, I want to say, the built-in one is a bit faster, so I'll stick with Vista x64. Woohoo. I really didn't want to downgrade to x86, so now there's no reason to! Let's see how well that Cruzer is going to work. I should have it tomorrow.

Peace!

 

Peace to you as well C-D.

From your question a while back, yes mine is a Micro, but from my link, I think "things" may depend on the actual model of the Sandisk Cruser (eg., ReadyBoost). I didn't mind U3 and kept it until it was giving me problems connecting to different computers.

"Quality ", the only yardstick may be speed of access. I have only seen reviews based on that (reading/writing to the drive). I am not particularly interested in "speed ", I can find other things to do with my time.

How long the device will last doing it's "job" (works), that may be another question.

Quality?...I suppose you don't want a "lemon ". Type the model number/description into a websearch and see if people are having problems with it.

Matt

 

Matt, yea, there are definitely differences in quality and I think you listed the most important aspects of it. I find amazon and CNET two great venues for user reviews, as well as detailed nformation and specs about products.