Optimizing Windows Caching Algorithm

! Never turn off or unplug a hard drive without dismounting it first! Doing so could cause data on the drive to be lost or damaged!

5-Host Computer Setup

4. Optimizing Windows Caching Algorithm

By default, Windows XP optimizes caching for performance on external drives. Vista and Windows 7 optimize caching for quick removal. As a result, Windows XP appears to have faster access to external disks but at a greater risk of data corruption and loss. To change Windows' caching policy, open the disk management console. A list of the attached drives and their respective volumes will appear. Right-click on the RAIDBank5 volume in the disk list and select properties. Select the Policies Tab near the top left of the window, and check the radio button corresponding to your desired optimization

level. Click when finished, and you may close the disk management applet.

Optimizing for performance can greatly enhance the throughput of your disk but is much more vulnerable to data loss! Make sure to have appropriate backup.

5. Safe Dismounting

When a device such as a hard drive is mounted, that means the computer ‘sees’ the device and is able to communicate with it. When you dismount a device, the computer no longer sees it. The device may still be running but

the computer cannot access it, as though the device no longer exists.

5.1 How to safely dismount- Mac

Drag the icon(s) for the RAIDBank5 volume(s) to the Trash. The drive will dismount and you can then safely disconnect and/or turn it off.

5.2 How to safely dismount- Windows

1. Locate the System Tray. The System Tray includes the time display in the bottom right, and icons to the left of the time. One of the icons will be an hot plug icon ().

2. Left-click on ( ). In the dialog box select the volume drive description and drive letter for the device.

3.Left-click on the appropriate device (with the drive letter matching the one used by the RAIDBank5 volume). After a few seconds, Windows will give you a message that it is safe to remove the device.

Microsoft Windows may not automatically distinguish between SATA and eSATA disks. To facilitate proper disconnection, we recommend using HotSwap! by Kazuyuki Nakayama. HotSwap! provides the friendly user interface as the built in “safely remove hardware” icon in the notification area, and ensures that data is written and flushed to the disk before the device is marked safe to remove. HotSwap can be obtain from the author’s site at http://mt-naka.com/hotswap/index_enu.htm

RAIDBank5 Owner’s Manual