1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

How to disable write-behind caching

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by jparnold, 2006/10/13.

  1. 2006/10/13
    jparnold

    jparnold Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2005/09/08
    Messages:
    345
    Likes Received:
    1
    One of the "system tweaks" recommended for capturing video (from a digital video camera) is to "disable write behind caching on the hard drive used to capture video ". The article describes the method as "Go Control Panel>System, right click on your hard drive, select Properties, and make sure Write Caching is DISabled. "
    I CANNOT find this.
    I am using XP with NTFS file system.
    Please advise how to do this and also is there a general web site which contains this type of standard information?
    Thanks.....John
     
    jparnold,
    #1
  2. 2006/10/13
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2001/12/30
    Messages:
    12,317
    Likes Received:
    252
    Go Control Panel>System->Hardware tab->Device Manager
     
    Steve R Jones,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2006/10/13
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

    Joined:
    2002/02/18
    Messages:
    7,024
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hello John,

    Once in Device Manager, right click on the HD > Properties > Policies tab and uncheck "Enable write caching... ".

    Regards - Charles
     
    charlesvar,
    #3
  5. 2006/10/13
    dkline

    dkline Inactive

    Joined:
    2002/01/10
    Messages:
    406
    Likes Received:
    0
    What's effect of disabling write-behind cahing? Other than presumably speeding up video downloading, of course.
     
    dkline,
    #4
  6. 2006/10/13
    jparnold

    jparnold Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2005/09/08
    Messages:
    345
    Likes Received:
    1
    I presume disabling write behind cacheing helps prevent dropped frames when capturing video.
     
    jparnold,
    #5
  7. 2006/10/13
    dkline

    dkline Inactive

    Joined:
    2002/01/10
    Messages:
    406
    Likes Received:
    0
    Right. But does it have any effect on other computer operations?
     
    dkline,
    #6
  8. 2006/10/13
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

    Joined:
    2001/12/27
    Messages:
    15,174
    Likes Received:
    412
    Yes, it will cause some slowdown. Caching improves system performance in general by reducing the number of times the computer must go through the relatively slow process of reading from and writing to disk.

    No idea if you would even notice the slowdown...
     
    Arie,
    #7
  9. 2006/10/13
    dkline

    dkline Inactive

    Joined:
    2002/01/10
    Messages:
    406
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thanks, Arie. Makes perfect sense.
     
    dkline,
    #8
  10. 2006/10/14
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

    Joined:
    2002/02/18
    Messages:
    7,024
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hi Dave,

    If you google for write-behind caching you'll get a lot of hits/info.

    I remember from some forums that DVD/CD burning slows down if write-behind caching is disabled. I never tried that - its on by default.

    Regards - Charles
     
    charlesvar,
    #9

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...