Re: Can XP-Pro's delayed disk write feature be disabled?

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Anna wrote:
HenriK wrote:
Although I previously posted this query to the 'XP General' list, no one seems to have responded. Can anyone who reads this list assist?

I find that on an XP-Pro SP2 system, what I understand to be a delayed disk write feature has some significant disadvantages in certain circumstances.

Can the delayed disk write feature be defeated and, if so, what is the process to do it. What are the disadvantages of defeating the delayed disk write feature?

Thanks in advance for comments, suggestions, or pointers to information where this issue has already been dealt with.

"Leonard Grey" <l.grey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:u5aDE%23SZJHA.5676@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The term means that writes to the disk are cached and actually written later. This allows you to return to the system faster. Were the writes not cached, but written in real time, you might have to wait until the writes completed before regaining access to the computer. So delayed disk writing is a way to help speed your computer's performance.

If you defeat disk caching, probably nothing terrible will happen. You might have to wait a few seconds for a write to complete before being able to access Windows. But there's no real pressing reason to defeat it...it's there for your benefit.

With disk caching defeated you will be able to remove an external drive without invoking Safely Remove Hardware. With disk caching enabled, you need SRH to be sure the cache is empty before you remove the drive, otherwise delayed writes will be lost.

In any case, I advocate a conservative approach to computing, so I always use SRH.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est


HenriK:
Leonard is assuming - as I normally would - that you're referring to this issue as it involves a USB-connected storage device, e.g., a flash drive or external HDD. Is that the case, or are you referring to the write caching feature with reference to an internally-installed HDD? If the latter, take a look at...
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330174
to see if the info there sheds any light on your query.
Anna


Thanks to Leonard and Anna for the comments. While I now better understand what the delayed disk write is supposed to do, I'd still like to know how to turn it off - if that is possible - for internal Zip discs and external USB connected drives (my assumption being that if I find the cure is worse than the disease, I can turn the delayed feature back on).

Thanks again for your comments.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Can XP-Pros delayed disk write feature be disabled?
    ... Leonard Grey ... I find that on an XP-Pro SP2 system, what I understand to be a delayed disk write feature has some significant disadvantages in certain circumstances. ... But there's no real pressing reason to defeat it...it's there for your benefit. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Can XP-Pros delayed disk write feature be disabled?
    ... Leonard Grey wrote: ... I find that on an XP-Pro SP2 system, what I understand to be a delayed disk write feature has some significant disadvantages in certain circumstances. ... But there's no real pressing reason to defeat it...it's there for your benefit. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Can XP-Pros delayed disk write feature be disabled?
    ... HenriK wrote: ... Can the delayed disk write feature be defeated and, if so, what is ... If you defeat disk caching, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Can XP-Pros delayed disk write feature be disabled?
    ... I find that on an XP-Pro SP2 system, what I understand to be a delayed disk write feature has some significant disadvantages in certain circumstances. ... What are the disadvantages of defeating the delayed disk write feature? ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Can XP-Pros delayed disk write feature be defeated?
    ... I find that on an XP-Pro SP2 system, what I understand to be a delayed disk write feature has some significant disadvantages in certain circumstances. ... What are the disadvantages of defeating the delayed disk write feature? ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)