Here is a short tutorial:
Step I: Insert the USB, open My Computer, then right click on the drive letter that corresponds with the USB.
Step II: Choose Properties from the dropdown menu as shown in this screenshot
Step III: When you choose Properties, a new window will open. Choose the ReadyBoost tab as shown below. If you do not see this tab, then the USB you have inserted is not ReadyBoost compatible.
Step IV: You can choose to dedicate the entire USB to ReadyBoost, or a percent of the free space on the USB. If you have an extra USB we suggest you plug it into a port on the back of your PC, set it to “Dedicate this device to ReadyBoost” and just leave it there all the time.
If you only want to dedicate part of it for ReadyBoost, click the “use this device” option. Then, using the slider, decide how much space you want to use for ReadyBoost. This is a good option if you just want a temporary boost in RAM to complete a project or for a particular session.
Keep in mind that space reserved for ReadyBoost cannot be used to store files. Also, once you choose to use a USB for ReadyBoost, you can change your mind easily and go back to storing files on it.
We have 4GB ReadyBoost USB flash drives available!
We have Brand name 4GB high-speed, ReadyBoost Ready USB Flash Drives available right on our Donation Station. Get more information – or get your 4GB ReadyBoost-Ready USB Flash Drive now and increase your computer’s memory without adding RAM.
I have an compaq presario, it has two slots for ram. I have read that this computer, only 3 years old, can only take two gig ram because that is all the mother board will allow.I do have three usb ports that are not being used. Now to my question, will the 4QB flash work on this type of computer? It is desk top and I am running Vista Home and not any problems with it.( That’s because I listen to both of you) Thank you for your time. Bill
ReadyBoost and installed RAM are two different things. If you’re using a 32bit Vista computer you can use ReadyBoost to add an effective 2GB of memory. ReadyBoost is not quite as fast as installed RAM, but far faster than virtual memory carved from your free hard drive space. Windows creates virtual memory from available hard drive space whenever you’ve used up most of your RAM. So ReadyBoost is a much better choice than virtual memory; since you cannot install more RAM on your motherboard, ReadyBoost is your only viable option.
while using ready boost should I keep my USB drives connected all the time? Even when I’m not playing game or just downloading stuff from internet?
You don’t need to, but when you unplug a USB flash drive you’re using as ReadyBoost memory, you won’t have the extra memory.
So, in other words…. this ready boost ability on vista and w7 if I use up to 4 device that have ready boost capable I can use up to lets say 32GB? and the cache of the computer will run full capabilities on RAM,processor and graphics???
If you have Windows Vista or Windows 7 64bit you can theoretically add unlimited amount of RAM memory. If you’re using 32bit Windows – you won’t be able to use more than 4GB or RAM. ReadyBoost memory is different than RAM memory – for one thing it’s slower, but it is much faster than virtual memory which is created from hard drive space — hard drives being much slower than flash drives. I don’t think you’d notice a great performance increase using 32GB of ReadyBoost memory – unless you’re running some really memory-intensive applications such as CAD drawing programs, 3D rendering programs, or huge databases. Most computer users wouldn’t be running the kinds of programs that would require 32GB of extra ReadyBoost memory — and if they were they’d be better off installing more physical RAM. But there is a catch with RAM too – while 64Bit Windows can use virtually unlimited amounts of RAM, your computer’s motherboard has a maximum amount of RAM you can install on it. You can check with your computer manufacturer or go to http://www.crucial.com to find out how much RAM you can install on your computer.
The thing to remember is that not all memory is created equal. The slowest memory is virtual memory – this is memory created from empty hard drive space by Windows. It’s usually easy to tell when your computer is using too much virtual memory (a condition you really don’t want to be in) because you’ll hear your hard drive clattering away very often. Then there’s ReadyBoost memory which is must faster than virtual memory but not as fast as physical memory (RAM).
Owh, each set of motherboard can withstand on a certain amount of virtual memory… IC… perhaps I overestimate the computer’s capability. The website that u provide me is quite useful thank you but I did run the assessment on my netbook and everything including graphics improved by 0.2~2.0 😀 urm, thanx again INFOAVE
What happens if you are using ReadyBoost and unplug the drive unexpectedly will it mess up your computer?
Also I am using a spare 8 GB SD card on windows 7 and it is empty but it will only allocate 3.99GB of its space to ReadyBoost and ideas on how to use it fully?
You can only add 4GB of RAM per USB device. If you are using ReadyBoost and you remove it, nothing happens, the amount of available ram is whatever the available installed RAM.