bob daniels,

 

"Ready Boost" is a Windows Vista feature.  It lets you use external memory such as a flash drive to increase the RAM available to Windows.  Instead of adding memory to a memory slot on your computer to increase available system RAM, you can use a flash drive to supplement system RAM.  More information is available from Microsoft at this link:

 

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/readyboost.mspx

 

Steve

I have a 4GB "ready boost" flash drive.  I used it for about 2 weeks and saw absolutely no difference in the operation of my Vista Home Premium system (with 2GB ram).  I quit using it about 2 weeks ago and again, no visible difference in speed or operation of my PC. 

 

If you do some google searches on readyboost, there are mixed feelings on whether it really does anything.

Thanks guys, that is all I needed to know.  I don't need a memory boost, I just want a flash drive that will work for transferring files.

Bob

bob daniels,

 

You are welcome.  Any good USB 2.0 memory key should work just fine for what you want to do

 

Steve

ReadyBoost does not supplement system RAM. It is supposed to be a faster cache, so that programs you use often will load faster. The system response will also be faster. Vista copies some of the normal disk cache to the flash drive. If you use a mediocre flash drive, you will see no real improvement. You need a FAST flash to benefit. Most common flash and SD modules are not fast enough. There are sites that have evaluated various nodules for speed. Do a search.

 

Dimension 9100, Dual-Boot Win XP / Vista Home Premium, 3.0 GHz P4, 3 GB DDR2 533 MHz RAM, 2 GB SanDisk USB ReadyBoost, 160 GB SATA II Samsung (XP), 300 GB SATA II Seagate (Vista), 250 GB SimpleTech USB (WD Drive), Nvidia Go 6800 (425/825 MHz - XP, 325/600 MHz - Vista), Dell 1901 UltraSharp FP

Inspiron E1705, Win Vista Premium, T7200 Core 2 Duo (4MB, 2.0 GHz 667MHz), 2 GB DDR2 677 MHz RAM, 2 GB Transcend 150X SD ReadyBoost, 120 GB Samsung HD, Nvidia Go 7900 GS - 156.69 Driver, 17” Sharp UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-Screen WUXGA