The following is from the Cdrwin help file:
Windows 95/98 Tips
Check the settings for all CDROM devices:
- Open the "Control Panel" folder and click on the "System" icon.
- Select the "Device Manager" tab.
- Click on the CDROM icon.
- For each CDROM device in the list.
- Select the device.
- Select the "Settings" tab.
- Disable the "Auto insert notification" option.
- Enable the ?Disconnect? option.
- Enable the ?Sync data transfer? option.
- Click on "OK"
Windows 95 Caching
The following tip can greatly improve CDROM recording performance under Windows 95. This could prevent buffer underruns and other common problems from occurring.
By default, Windows 95 does excessive file caching. This is a waste of CPU time, memory, and possibly disk space, since you will never go back and use anything in the cache.
To fix this problem, do the following:
- Open the file SYSTEM.INI with a text editor (this file will usually be found in C:\WINDOWS or C:\WIN95).
- Find the section of the file called "[vcache]"
- Add the following lines after the "[vcache]" line:
minfilecache=512
maxfilecache=4096
- Save the file changes.
- Reboot your PC.
File/Disc Caching
We strongly recommend that you enable the file/disc caching feature on the Devices and Settings screen. This feature will greatly reduce the possibility of "buffer underruns" and also make efficient use of your CPU and other system resources.
Description
File/Disc caching (also known as "cyclic buffering") is the most important performance feature that has been added to CDRWIN this year. It will greatly reduce the possibility of "buffer underruns" and also make more efficient use of your CPU and other system resources. On most systems, you will not be restricted from running other programs while a disc recording is in progress (even at 4x recording speed). Now you can use your word processor, Internet browser, or other favorite application while your disc records safely in the background.
Important Note: The performance of the cache is determined by the speed of your CPU, harddrives, SCSI adapters, and other critical system components. Don't expect miracles when using non-Pentium systems, old harddrives, or ISA based SCSI cards (especially when recording at 4x speed).
Cache Settings
Enable Caching - Enables the caching feature.
Enable Debug Log - Enables the debugging log file. This option should only be used if you are having a major problem with the caching feature (the debug information will be written to the file C:\THREAD.LOG). Please contact Golden Hawk Technology before using this option.
Cache Size - Selects the size of the cache in megabytes (the minimum size is 1Mb and the maximum size is 32Mb).
Recommended cache size based on the amount of memory on your system:
System Memory Recommended Cache Size:
16 Mb |
1 to 2 Mb |
32 Mb |
2 to 4 Mb |
64 Mb |
4 to 8 Mb |
128 Mb |
8 to 16 Mb |
256 Mb |
16 to 32 Mb |
Warning: Do not use cache sizes larger than the recommended size. This can cause performance problems that are worse than not using the cache at all.
Full to Empty Ratio - Selects the percentage of the cache that must be read before the cache is filled again. Example: If the ratio is set to 85% / 15%, then the cache will be filled to 100%, wait for 15% of the data to be read, and then be filled to 100% again (this cycle will repeat over and over again until there is no more data to be cached). This algorithm is much more efficient then trying to keep the cache completely full all of the time.
CPU Priority Level - Selects the CPU priority level of the caching thread. For 99% of all systems, the "Normal" setting is more than adequate. |