Virtual Hard Drive Pro

for Windows XP, Vista, 2000 & Server 2003

Users Guide

Copyright Notice
No part of this publication may be copied, transmitted, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means without the express written permission of FarStone Technology, Inc. FarStone grants you the right to use one copy of the enclosed software program (SOFTWARE) on a single computer. If the SOFTWARE is installed on a network, or more than one user can run the SOFTWARE at the same time, you must purchase an additional license for each additional user or computer.

Trademark

FarStone and Virtual Hard Drive are trademarks of FarStone Technology, Inc. Microsoft, Windows and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other product names mentioned in this Users Guide may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
FarStone Technology, Inc.
U.S. Headquarters: 6 Morgan, Suite 160 Irvine, CA 92618 Phone: (949) 458-3666 Fax: (949) 458-3633 Asia-Pacific Offices 10F-1B, No. 207, DunHua North Rd., Taipei, 105, Taiwan Phone: 886-2-2546-9898 Fax: 886-2-2546-3838

Technical Support

Please contact your retailer or use our online support system at www.farstone.com/support. Youll find answers to frequently asked questions on our website, at www.farstone.com/support/faqs. Follow the site links to the support section or contact a technical support representative using this link: www.farstone.com/company/contact.htm. Copyright 2004-2007 FarStone Technology, Inc. All rights reserved.
Software License Agreement
FARSTONE TECHNOLOGY, INC. (FARSTONE) END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR VIRTUALDRIVE PRO, HEREAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE SOFTWARE PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE IS SUBJECT TO THE SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS OF FARSTONE AND OTHER LICENSORS WHOSE SOFTWARE MAY BE BUNDLED WITH THIS PRODUCT. BY YOUR USE OF THE SOFTWARE INCLUDED WITH THIS PRODUCT YOU AGREE TO THE LICENSE TERMS REQUIRED BY THE LICENSOR OF THE SOFTWARE, AS SET FORTH BELOW. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE LICENSE TERMS APPLICABLE TO THE SOFTWARE, YOU MAY RETURN THE ENTIRE UNUSED PRODUCT FOR A FULL REFUND. LICENSE AND WARRANTY: The software that accompanies this license (the Software) is the property of FARSTONE or its licensors and is protected by copyright law. While FARSTONE continues to own the Software, you will have certain rights to use the Software after your acceptance of this license. Except as may be modified by a license addendum which accompanies this license, your rights and obligations with respect to the use of this Software are as follows: A. Single User License: (a) Use the Software on a single computer system or network and only by a single user at a time. If you wish to use the Software for more users, you will need an additional License for each user. (b) Make one copy of the Software in machine-readable form solely for back-up purposes provided you reproduce FarStones copyright proprietary legends. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Software may be used on the home, laptop or other secondary computer of the principal user of the Software, and an additional copy of the Software may be made to support such use. As used in this License, the Software is in use when it is either loaded into RAM or installed on a hard disk or other permanent memory device. The Software may be in use on only one computer at any given time. (Different license terms and fees are applicable for networked or multiple user applications.) As a specific condition of this License, you agree to use the Software in compliance with all applicable laws, including copyright laws, and that you will not copy, transmit, perform or distribute any audio or other content using the Software without obtaining all necessary Licenses or permissions from the owner of the content. B. Multiple User License: Make one copy of the Software in machine-readable form solely for back-up purposes, provided you reproduce FarStones copyright proprietary legends. You must acquire and dedicate a License for each separate computer on which any part or portion of the Software is installed or run As used in this License, the Software or any part or portion of the Software is in use when it is either loaded into RAM or installed on a hard disk or other permanent memory device including any networked or shared environment where either direct or indirect connections are made through software or hardware which pools or aggregates connections. As a specific condition of this License, you agree to use the Software in compliance with all applicable laws, including copyright laws, and that you will not copy, transmit, perform or distribute any audio or other content using the Software without obtaining all necessary Licenses or permissions from the owner of the content. 3

C. Restrictions: You may not distribute copies of the Software to others or electronically transfer the Software from one computer to another over a network. You may not post or otherwise make available the Software, or any portion thereof, in any form, on the Internet. You may not use the Software in a computer service business, including in time-sharing applications. The Software contains trade secrets and, in order to protect them, you may not decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble, or otherwise reduce the Software to a human-perceivable form. YOU MAY NOT MODIFY, ADAPT, TRANSLATE, RENT, LEASE, LOAN, RESELL FOR PROFIT, DISTRIBUTE, NETWORK OR CREATE DERIVATIVE WORKS BASED UPON THE SOFTWARE OR ANY PART THEREOF. D. Limited Warranty: FarStone warrants that the media on which the Software is distributed will be free from defects for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of delivery of the Software to you. Your sole remedy in the event of a breach of this warranty will be that FarStone will, at its option, replace any defective media returned to FarStone within the warranty period or refund the money you paid for the Software. FarStone does not warrant that the Software will meet your requirements or that operation of the Software will be uninterrupted or that the Software will be error-free. THE ABOVE WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS. YOU MAY HAVE OTHER RIGHTS, WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE. E. Limitation of Liability: IN NO EVENT WILL FARSTONE OR ITS LICENSORS BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS, OR LOSS OF DATA, EVEN IF FARSTONE OR A LICENSOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY OTHER PARTY. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of special, incidental, or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. F. General: You acknowledge that you have read this Agreement, understand it, and that by using the Software you agree to be bound by its terms and conditions. You further agree that it is the complete and exclusive statement of the agreement between FarStone and you, and supersedes any proposal or prior agreement, oral or written, and any other communication between FarStone and you relating to the subject matter of this Agreement. No additional or any different terms will be enforceable against FarStone unless FarStone gives its express consent, including an express waiver of the terms of this Agreement, in writing signed by an officer of FarStone. You assume full responsibility for the use of the Software and agree to use the Software legally and responsibly. Should any provision of this Agreement be declared unenforceable in any jurisdiction, and then such provision shall be deemed severable from this Agreement and shall not affect the remainder hereof. FarStone reserves all rights in the Software not specifically granted in this Agreement. Should you have any questions concerning this Agreement, you may contact FarStone by writing to: FarStone Technology, Inc. Legal Department 6 Morgan, Suite 160 Irvine, CA 92618

Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction 6
1.1 Product Overview... 6 1.2 Some Benefits of Virtual Hard Drive Pro... 6 Using a RAM Disk for Browser Caching 6
Chapter 2: Installation 8
2.1 System Requirements.... 8 2.2 Installing Virtual Hard Drive Pro... 8
Chapter 3: Using Virtual Hard Drive Pro 9
3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Creating a RAM Disk.... 9 Loading a RAM Disk Image File... 10 Saving a RAM Disk.... 10 Removing a RAM Disk.... 10 Exploring a RAM Disk... 10 Settings.... 11

Chapter 4: Appendix 12

4.1 Frequently Asked Questions.... 12 4.2 Technical Support and Product Updates... 12

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Product Overview
Virtual Hard Drive Pro is a RAM disk utility that allows disk data to be processed in a computers memory chip. A RAM disk looks like a physical hard disk in Windows Explorer, but is in fact a 'virtual disk that ceases to exist (unless saved) when a session ends. In Virtual Hard Drive Pro, the size of your RAM disk is limited only by your computers available memory. Virtual Hard Drive Pro is especially useful with files and folders requiring frequent access. For example, you can move your browser's cache folder to a RAM disk improve load times of multimedia on the Internet. Unless it is saved, the data stored on a RAM disk is lost when you shut down your PC. Saved image files can later be reloaded into Virtual Hard Drive and modified or re-used.
1.2 Some Benefits of Virtual Hard Drive Pro
Because your computers memory is so much faster than the hard disk, a RAM disk greatly improves application performance. Databases, compilers, and graphic design programs process large amounts of data which tax a computers resources. A RAM disk drive makes data more readily available, balancing the load on a processor When you browse web pages, junk data is written to your browsers cache memory. By running your browser cache in a RAM disk and not saving the disk image file when you end your session, unwanted cache files are deleted automatically, saving hard drive space. Finally, a RAM drive uses much less energy than a physical hard drive, and therefore extends the charge of a laptop computers battery.
Using a RAM Disk for Browser Caching

1. Launch Internet Explorer 7. 2. Select click Tools Internet Options.
3. Under the Internet Options window General tab, locate the Settings button for Browsing history.
4. In the Temporary Internet Files and History Settings window, click the Move Folder button. Browse to the Virtual Hard Drive location where youd like to redirect your temporary internet files.

Chapter 2: Installation

2.1 System Requirements
Supported Operating Systems (32-bit and 64-bit) Windows Windows Windows Windows Windows Windows Windows Windows Windows Windows Windows 2000 Pro XP Home XP Pro Server 2003 Standard 2000 Server 2000 Advanced Server 2000 Data Center Server 2003 Data Center Server 2003 Web Edition Server 2003 Enterprise Vista
Minimum System Requirements 25 MB free hard disk space 256 MB RAM or better
2.2 Installing Virtual Hard Drive Pro
1. Double-click on the Virtual Hard Drive Pro executable file to launch the installation program. 2. Carefully read the Software License Agreement. If you accept the terms of the agreement, select I Accept the License Agreement and click Next. 3. Virtual Hard Drive Pro will give you a default installation path. If youd like to install the program to another location, click Change and browse for a folder. 4. Enter your personal information and your serial number. 5. Click Next to install Virtual Hard Drive Pro on your computer. 6. Click Finish to complete the installation.
Chapter 3: Using Virtual Hard Drive Pro

3.2 Creating a RAM Disk

1. Click Create a RAM Disk. 2. Configure your RAM Drive Settings, including File System, Drive Letter, and RAM Disk Size. a. File System: From the drop-down menu, select a file system for your RAM disk. Virtual Hard Drive Pro supports FAT, FAT32, and NTFS. Note: Different file systems manage data in different ways and have different performance parameters. Select the file system that most closely corresponds with the size of the RAM disk youre creating: File System FAT FAT32 NTFS RAM Disk Size Maximum 2048 MB 4 GB maximum memory size supported by operating system

Minimum 1 MB 33 MB 3 MB

b. Drive letter: Assign a drive letter for your RAM Disk. Note: Only drive letters not used by other drives can be assigned. 9
c. RAM Disk Size (MB): Allocate a portion of your computers physical memory for your RAM Disk. Note: Some programs may not work properly if you do not leave enough RAM for them. We recommend that you set aside no more than 70% of your available physical memory for your RAM Disk. 3. After youve configured your settings, click Next. Note: If the disk size you entered is outside the available range, Virtual Hard Drive Pro will adjust it to the largest available size. a. Click Save as an image file to save your newly created RAM Disk as an image file b. Click Explore a RAM Disk to view the contents of the RAM Disk in Windows Explorer 4. After youve created your RAM disk, click Finish to return to the Virtual Hard Drive Pro Main Console.

3.3 Loading a RAM Disk Image File
1. Click Load a RAM disk image file. 2. Select an existing image file and click Next. 3. Click Finish to return to the Main Console after the disk image has loaded.

3.4 Saving a RAM Disk

Because data cannot be stored in RAM, the data in your RAM disk will be lost when you end your session, unless you save it as an image file. Image files can be stored on the hard drive, reloaded, modified, and reused. 1. Click Save a RAM Disk. 2. In the popup window, click Next. 3. Click Finish to return the Main Console after the process is complete.

3.5 Removing a RAM Disk

If youd like to free up the memory used by your RAM disk or modify the file system, drive letter, and disk space of your RAM disk, you need to remove it from your RAM drive. 1. Click Remove a RAM Disk. 2. Click Next. 3. Click Finish to return to the Main Console when the process is complete.

3.6 Exploring a RAM Disk

You can explore a RAM Disk to view its contents and add files or folders. 1. Click Explore a RAM Disk. 10
2. Once the RAM disk is mounted (displayed in the interface), you can view its contents or edit it as you would edit files in Windows Explorer.

3.7 Settings

1. Auto-load the most recent image: Keep the most recently used RAM disk image loaded in Virtual Hard Drive Pro when you restart the program. 2. Save the image upon restart or shutdown: Save your RAM disk image automatically when you turn off or restart your PC. 3. Save the image during hibernation: Save your RAM disk image automatically when your computer goes into Sleep or Hibernation mode. 4. Back up the image before saving it: Automatically makes a secondary backup of the data in your RAM disk when you save it as an image. In the event of a system crash or power loss, the image file will still be preserved. Note: If you load the image after a system crash, Virtual Hard Drive Pro will ask if you want to repair the image. 5. Save the image every N minute(s) (N is a number between 1 and 60): Data in the RAM disk will be saved as an image at pre-set intervals. 6. Save changes to the image file in real-time: The image file is automatically saved if any changes are made to the RAM disk. Note: This setting will not take effect until you reload an image or re-create a RAM Disk.

Chapter 4: Appendix

4.1 Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When I try to create a RAM disk, Virtual Hard Drive Pro displays the following message: There is not enough available memory for your RAM disk. How do I fix this? A: You must reserve a portion of your physical memory for your system. In order to do that, you cannot allocate all available memory for your RAM disk. Q. How much memory should I allocate for my RAM sisk? A: 70% or less. Q. Why do I get a System is busy message when I am saving my image file or disabling the RAM disk? A: Because the RAM disk is being used by other programs, like Windows Explorer. Close these applications and again.

4.2 Technical Support and Product Updates
If you encounter a technical issue with our products, please contact your vendor or use the FarStone online support system at www.farstone.com/support. Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about FarStone products are posted on the corporate web site at www.farstone.com/support/faqs. FarStone Technology, Inc. 6 Morgan, Suite 160 Irvine, CA 92618 Phone: (949) 458-3666

Virtual Hard Drive 2 Pro

Virtual Hard Drive Pro takes a portion of your system memory and creates a RAM disk, which functions like a physical hard drive, only with access rates up to 340 times faster. Virtual Hard Drive Pro bypasses the system hard drive, which is the slowest part of a computer. Freeing your data storage and retrieval from this mechanical disk creates an immediate system boost. A RAM disk also accelerates application performance. Databases, compilers, and graphic design programs process large amounts of data which tax a computers resources. A RAM disk drive makes data more readily available, balancing the load on a processor.
VIrtual Hard Drive lets you create a RAM drive in memory with much better performance than a physical hard drive.
When you browse web pages, junk data is written to your browsers cache memory. By running your browser cache in a RAM disk and not saving the disk image file when you end your session, unwanted cache files are deleted automatically, saving hard drive space. Virtual Hard Drive Pro supports an unlimited amount of RAM, and works with Windows Vista, Server, and XP.

PRODUCT BENEFITS

Blazing Speed Install your favorite applications on a virtual hard drive to run up to 340 times faster in RAM with no changes to the applications themselves or the way theyre used Reduced Wear and Tear A virtual hard drive never wears out. You can run it at maximum bandwidth without fear of mechanical failure or performance-slowing fragmentation Cool, Quiet Operation Unlike your system hard drive, a RAM drive contains no moving parts to generate noise and heat

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

CPU: Intel Pentium 486 or higher RAM: 256 MB or more Hard Drive: 25 MB free space Operating System: Windows 2000, Server, XP, or Vista (64-bit and 32-bit systems)
FarStone Technology, Inc. 6 Morgan, Suite 160 Irvine, CA 92618 (949) 458-3666

www.farstone.com