Virtual Hard Drive Pro
for Windows® XP, Vista, 2000 & Server 2003
Virtual Hard Drive Pro
User’s Guide
Virtual Hard Drive Pro
Copyright Notice
No part of this publication may be copied, transmitte d, stored in a retrieval system, or tr anslated into
any language in any form or by any means without the express written permission of FarStone®
Technology, Inc.
FarStone gr ants you the ri ght to use one copy of the enclo sed software progr am (“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 Corpor ation. Other product names
mentioned in this User’s 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
answers to frequently asked questions on our website, at
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.
www.farstone.com/support. Y ou’ll find
www.farstone.com/support/faqs. F ollow the
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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” LI CENSE
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. W hile F ARST ONE conti nues to own the Softwa re, 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 FarStone’s copyright proprietary legends. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
“Software” may be used on the home, laptop or othe r secondary computer of the principal user of the
“Software” , and an additional copy of the “Software” ma y 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 an y given time.
(Different license terms and fees are applic able for networked or multiple user applications.) As a
specific condition of this Licens e, you agree to use the “Software” in compliance with all applicab le
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 FarStone’s copyright proprietary legends.
You m ust acquire and dedicate a Li cense for each se par ate computer o n which an y part or porti on 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.
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Virtual Hard Drive Pro
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 busines s, 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-perceiv able form. YOU MAY NO T 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: F arStone warrants that the media on which the Software is distributed will be
free from defects for a period of fifteen (15) day s from the date of delivery of the Software to you. Y our
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 F arStone 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, INCLU DING THE IMPLIED W ARRANTIES 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: Y ou acknowledge that you have read this Agreement, understand it, an d 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 Fa rStone and you, and supe rsedes an y proposal
or prior agreement, oral or written, and any other communication between F arStone and you relating
to the subject matter of this Agreement. No additional or any different terms will be enforceable
against FarStone unless F arStone gives its express co nsent, including an express w aiver of the terms
of this Agreement, in writing signed by an offic er 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 co ncerning t his Agreement, y ou ma y contact FarStone by writing to:
FarStone Technology, Inc.
Legal Department
6 Morgan, Suite 160
Irvine, CA 92618
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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 Creating a RAM Disk................................................................................................... 9
3.3 Loading a RAM Disk Image File................................................................................... 10
3.4 Saving a RAM Disk ................................................................................................... 10
3.5 Removing a RAM Disk............................................................................................... 10
3.6 Exploring a RAM Disk................................................................................................ 10
3.7 Settings.................................................................................................................. 11
Chapter 4: Appendix·························································································· 12
4.1 Frequently Asked Questions....................................................................................... 12
4.2 Technical Support and Product Updates ....................................................................... 12
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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 computer’s
memory chip. A RAM disk looks like a physi cal 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 computer’s 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 Dr ive and modified or re-used.
1.2 Some Benefits of Virtual Hard Drive Pro
Because your computer’s memory is so much faster than the hard disk, a RA M disk greatly i mproves
application performance. Databases, compilers, and graphic design progr ams process large amounts
of data which tax a computer’s 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 browser’s cache memory. By running your
browser cache in a RAM disk and not saving the disk image file when y ou end your session, unw anted
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 computer’s battery.
Using a RAM Disk for Browser Caching
1. Launch Internet Explorer 7.
2. Select click Tools Æ Internet Options.
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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 you’d like to redirect your temporary internet
files.
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Virtual Hard Drive Pro
Chapter 2: Installation
2.1 System Requirements
Supported Operating Systems (32-bit and 64-bit)
Windows 2000 Pro
Windows XP Home
Windows XP Pro
Windows Server 2003 Standard
Windows 2000 Server
Windows 2000 Advanced Server
Windows 2000 Data Center
Windows Server 2003 Data Center
Windows Server 2003 Web Edition
Windows Server 2003 Enterprise
Windows 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 you’d 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.
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Chapter 3: Using Virtual Hard Drive Pro
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 you’re creating:
File System
FAT
FAT32
NTFS
b. Drive letter: Assign a drive letter for your RAM Disk.
Note: Only drive letters not used by other drives can be assigned.
Minimum Maximum
1 MB 2048 MB
33 MB 4 GB
3 MB
RAM Disk Size
maximum memory size
supported by operating system
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c. RAM Disk Size (MB): Allocate a portion of your computer’s 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 you’ve configured your settings, click Next.
Note: If the disk size you entered is outside the available range, Virtua l 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 you’ve created your RAM disk, click Finish to return to the Virtual Hard Drive Pro Main
Console.
Virtual Hard Drive Pro
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 you’d like to free up the memory used by your RAM disk or modify the file system, drive l etter, 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.
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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.
Virtual Hard Drive Pro
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 mak es a second ary bac kup of the data
in your RAM disk when you save it as an image. In the event of a s ystem crash or power l oss,
the image file will still be preserved.
Note: If you load the image after a system crash, Vi rtual 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 di sk
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.
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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
Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about FarStone products are posted on the corporate
web site at
FarStone Technology, Inc.
6 Morgan, Suite 160
Irvine, CA 92618
Phone: (949) 458-3666
www.farstone.com/support/faqs.
www.farstone.com/support.
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