My setup Windows 10 Pro x64 (Version 1903)
ImDisk (Version 20190419)
Houston we have a problem!
I'm conducting a little experiment. I've created an img of the "Plex Media Server folder" as an attempt to cut the backup time seeing as the folder contains 92 931 Files, 74 781 Folder. Which takes a while to backup.
The img is 15 GB, actual size is about 11 GB. It takes less than a minute to load at boot.
And it takes ...
Using ImDisk Virtual Disk Driver
Remove/Save 15 GB image: 01 min 22 sec
Shutting down service: ImDisk Toolkit etc
Remove/Save 15 GB image: 05 min 10 sec
As you can see, saving the img at shutdown takes waaay to long, it's a deal breaker for sure.
Steps to reproduce:
Using RamDisk Configuration
Under the Basic tab
1. Set Size 15 GB
2. Check, Launch at Windows Startup
Under the Advanced tab
1. Check, Use Mount Point
2. Create a Mount Point
Under the Data tab
1. Select a folder containing about the same about of files as in my case
2. Check, Synchronize at System Shutdown
3. Check, Delete data removed from RamDisk
4. Press OK
Run ImDisk Virtual Disk Driver as a Admin*
Running ImDisk Virtual Disk Driver from the shortcut won't launch it as admin (please fix)
I use this workaround
Create a new shortcut, set Target.
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\shell32.dll,ControlRunDLL "C:\WINDOWS\system32\imdisk.cpl",ImDisk Virtual Disk Driver
Start in C:\Windows\System32
Using ImDisk Virtual Disk Driver
1. Save img to an SSD other then C: if possible
Using RamDisk Configuration
1. Follow steps under Under the Data tab BUT select the image you created this time
Inside the mounted folder create a file or a folder.
Well, there is nothing to compare...
On one hand, you just save a volume as an image.
On the other hand, you use a synchronization tool, but for some unknown reasons, you ask to copy all files instead of only the ones with archive attribute.
Performances here are perfectly normal.
You really can rely on the archive attribute. This attribute is cleared when the data are copied to the ramdisk, and is set by the system at any write attempt to a file.
Of course, I also could add an option to save the ramdisk at shutdown as an image file, without the synchronization tool. This is already on my list but will require some development.
About the shortcut, some users may prefer to use the control panel without elevation.
But I am not even sure it's possible to add that. Your command does not work for me (it seems you missed " _ " in "Control_RunDLL"). And creating a shortcut should not assume that the system is on C:.
Shortcuts are supposed to be created dynamically during the installation. This shortcut is the only exception because I did not find a way to create a true, direct shortcut to an element of the windows control panel.
And even for an exe file (because, yes, we also can use rundll32), adding the prompt for administrative privileges in a shortcut is undocumented.
❤️
1
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
This was very old topic, more than 2.5 years ago.
But I want to tell you I am eagerly looking forward to getting this feature in ImDisk:
Of course, I also could add an option to save the ramdisk at shutdown as an image file, without the synchronization tool. This is already on my list but will require some development.
This will make my PC's reboot fast drastically, I hope.
Anyway, thank you for great software! I can't live without ImDisk now!!
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Of course, I also could add an option to save the ramdisk at shutdown as an image file, without the synchronization tool. This is already on my list but will require some development.
That sounds great!
About the shortcut, some users may prefer to use the control panel without elevation.
My dude, you can't even use "ImDisk Virtual Disk Driver" without running as admin 😘
Nothing wrong with the shotcut, you probebly just missed something. Have a look at the screenshot. Then select Advanced "run as admin" or do the use, right click run as...
This shortcut is the only exception because I did not find a way to create a true, direct shortcut to an element of the windows control panel.
Yup, Windows is stupid some times. Everytime else I said on that open ticket =)
Oh, BTW, thnx for a greet software. I use it often when I unpack RAR files or install games. Saves alot of heavy wear on SSD's
Dunno what kind of backup-software you're using, but if you can restore the backup to ramdisk at startup, you could completely skip the save at shutdown all together :-)
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Hmm, but I don't backup Plex Media Server everyday. It's quite intensive takes about 10 minutes.
The idea was to use ImDisk, create an image of the folder, have it save/sync at shutdown, mount it at start. Then use Acronis to backup the image file instead of the folder. But I never came that far because a 5 minute shutdown is a deal breaker for me 😒
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Ah, then you could create a VHDx using diskpart, create it on the SSD, mount it, move all Plex content in it, dismount it. create 2 scripts that run at startup/shutdown that moves the VHDx to the ramdisk at startup and mounts it there, and moves it back to SSD at shutdown. While "live" in ramdisk, you could then backup the VHDx when you want. If Acronis doesn't want to backup that VHDx because it recides on a Dynamic RamDisk, create the ramdisk with a fixed size instead to get around that. Or expand your shutdownscript to backup it automatically at shutdown once it's back on the SSD. The bottleneck you're facing btw is probably the amount of files, not the transfer-medium being SSD vs Ramdisk, so just having all that content in a VHDx would be good enough and you could skip moving back and forth to ramdisk all together...
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Interesting, If I recall I tried zipping it but that takes just as long. Either way, gonna figure something out. For now I'm trying to understand WTFMFAW (What The Fuck Mouther Fucker Ass Wipe) file transfers is slow for only mkv files! I suspect Windows mkv metadata reading is broken, looking for a alternative. Moving the same mkv files zipped transfers at full speed
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Initial zipping would probably take long yes, but if you retain the zip, then in the pre-backupscript UPDATE the zip only, it would only re-zip the changes made since last zip and should be a whole lot faster. But if zip doesn't work, you could alternatively simply use a VHDx. You just need some kind of container to get around backing up the individual files, being it zip, VHDx or any other image-format which you can mount/access from windows itself natively...
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Yeah, I had to remove ImDisk earlier because whatever I did, I could not get PlexMediaServer.img from NOT loading at boot 🤣😒 doing that I saw that Windows has its on Ram Drive. This is, if I recall related to the virtual parts you are suggesting, yes?
Gonna look into the zippy thingy.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
No, Ram Drive from Windows is something out of a dark and forgotten era :-) I'm talking about Windows ability to mount VHDx-files natively since Windows 8.1 and higher. You create a VHDx using diskpart (type help create vdisk). Move contents there, have startup/shutdownscript mount it and dismount it. Optionally have shutdownscript backup the VHDx after dismount using Acronis (assuming Acronis has a commandline-interface to work with)
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
You want to backup all plex content which is made up of alot of smaller files. Putting them in a container and backing up the container will speed up things dramatically, probably won't need a ramdisk all together any longer for that purpose.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
I have more confidence in the zip idea to be honest. But if Acronis still looks inside the zip it won't be any faster. As for the VHDx, don't know anything about it but same goes there.
Perhaps talking about this here is not the best idea. I sent you a PM long ago. If you are ignoring me you can ... and then ... also ✌
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
My setup
Windows 10 Pro x64 (Version 1903)
ImDisk (Version 20190419)
Houston we have a problem!
I'm conducting a little experiment. I've created an img of the "Plex Media Server folder" as an attempt to cut the backup time seeing as the folder contains 92 931 Files, 74 781 Folder. Which takes a while to backup.
The img is 15 GB, actual size is about 11 GB. It takes less than a minute to load at boot.
And it takes ...
Using ImDisk Virtual Disk Driver
Remove/Save 15 GB image: 01 min 22 sec
Shutting down service: ImDisk Toolkit etc
Remove/Save 15 GB image: 05 min 10 sec
As you can see, saving the img at shutdown takes waaay to long, it's a deal breaker for sure.
Steps to reproduce:
Using RamDisk Configuration
Under the Basic tab
1. Set Size 15 GB
2. Check, Launch at Windows Startup
Under the Advanced tab
1. Check, Use Mount Point
2. Create a Mount Point
Under the Data tab
1. Select a folder containing about the same about of files as in my case
2. Check, Synchronize at System Shutdown
3. Check, Delete data removed from RamDisk
4. Press OK
Run ImDisk Virtual Disk Driver as a Admin*
I use this workaround
Create a new shortcut, set Target.
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\shell32.dll,ControlRunDLL "C:\WINDOWS\system32\imdisk.cpl",ImDisk Virtual Disk Driver
Start in C:\Windows\System32
Using ImDisk Virtual Disk Driver
1. Save img to an SSD other then C: if possible
Using RamDisk Configuration
1. Follow steps under Under the Data tab BUT select the image you created this time
Update:
Perhaps this is a dupe of https://sourceforge.net/p/imdisk-toolkit/discussion/general/thread/94b1cd606d/
Last edit: Blackkatt 2019-06-28
Well, there is nothing to compare...
On one hand, you just save a volume as an image.
On the other hand, you use a synchronization tool, but for some unknown reasons, you ask to copy all files instead of only the ones with archive attribute.
Performances here are perfectly normal.
You really can rely on the archive attribute. This attribute is cleared when the data are copied to the ramdisk, and is set by the system at any write attempt to a file.
Of course, I also could add an option to save the ramdisk at shutdown as an image file, without the synchronization tool. This is already on my list but will require some development.
About the shortcut, some users may prefer to use the control panel without elevation.
But I am not even sure it's possible to add that. Your command does not work for me (it seems you missed " _ " in "Control_RunDLL"). And creating a shortcut should not assume that the system is on C:.
Shortcuts are supposed to be created dynamically during the installation. This shortcut is the only exception because I did not find a way to create a true, direct shortcut to an element of the windows control panel.
And even for an exe file (because, yes, we also can use rundll32), adding the prompt for administrative privileges in a shortcut is undocumented.
This was very old topic, more than 2.5 years ago.
But I want to tell you I am eagerly looking forward to getting this feature in ImDisk:
This will make my PC's reboot fast drastically, I hope.
Anyway, thank you for great software! I can't live without ImDisk now!!
That sounds great!
My dude, you can't even use "ImDisk Virtual Disk Driver" without running as admin 😘
Nothing wrong with the shotcut, you probebly just missed something. Have a look at the screenshot. Then select Advanced "run as admin" or do the use, right click run as...
Yup, Windows is stupid some times. Everytime else I said on that open ticket =)
Oh, BTW, thnx for a greet software. I use it often when I unpack RAR files or install games. Saves alot of heavy wear on SSD's
Last edit: Blackkatt 2019-06-28
Dunno what kind of backup-software you're using, but if you can restore the backup to ramdisk at startup, you could completely skip the save at shutdown all together :-)
What backup? 😎
?
"I'm conducting a little experiment. I've created an img of the "Plex Media Server folder" as an attempt to cut the backup time"
Hmm, but I don't backup Plex Media Server everyday. It's quite intensive takes about 10 minutes.
The idea was to use ImDisk, create an image of the folder, have it save/sync at shutdown, mount it at start. Then use Acronis to backup the image file instead of the folder. But I never came that far because a 5 minute shutdown is a deal breaker for me 😒
Ah, then you could create a VHDx using diskpart, create it on the SSD, mount it, move all Plex content in it, dismount it. create 2 scripts that run at startup/shutdown that moves the VHDx to the ramdisk at startup and mounts it there, and moves it back to SSD at shutdown. While "live" in ramdisk, you could then backup the VHDx when you want. If Acronis doesn't want to backup that VHDx because it recides on a Dynamic RamDisk, create the ramdisk with a fixed size instead to get around that. Or expand your shutdownscript to backup it automatically at shutdown once it's back on the SSD. The bottleneck you're facing btw is probably the amount of files, not the transfer-medium being SSD vs Ramdisk, so just having all that content in a VHDx would be good enough and you could skip moving back and forth to ramdisk all together...
Alternatively, do a simple pre-backupscript in Acronis where it updates the plex content in a zip and backup that zip.
Interesting, If I recall I tried zipping it but that takes just as long. Either way, gonna figure something out. For now I'm trying to understand WTFMFAW (What The Fuck Mouther Fucker Ass Wipe) file transfers is slow for only mkv files! I suspect Windows mkv metadata reading is broken, looking for a alternative. Moving the same mkv files zipped transfers at full speed
Initial zipping would probably take long yes, but if you retain the zip, then in the pre-backupscript UPDATE the zip only, it would only re-zip the changes made since last zip and should be a whole lot faster. But if zip doesn't work, you could alternatively simply use a VHDx. You just need some kind of container to get around backing up the individual files, being it zip, VHDx or any other image-format which you can mount/access from windows itself natively...
Yeah, I had to remove ImDisk earlier because whatever I did, I could not get PlexMediaServer.img from NOT loading at boot 🤣😒 doing that I saw that Windows has its on Ram Drive. This is, if I recall related to the virtual parts you are suggesting, yes?
Gonna look into the zippy thingy.
No, Ram Drive from Windows is something out of a dark and forgotten era :-) I'm talking about Windows ability to mount VHDx-files natively since Windows 8.1 and higher. You create a VHDx using diskpart (type help create vdisk). Move contents there, have startup/shutdownscript mount it and dismount it. Optionally have shutdownscript backup the VHDx after dismount using Acronis (assuming Acronis has a commandline-interface to work with)
Hmm, but if VHDx is not using RAM it stands to reason it won't be any faster then a native SSD 😁
You want to backup all plex content which is made up of alot of smaller files. Putting them in a container and backing up the container will speed up things dramatically, probably won't need a ramdisk all together any longer for that purpose.
I have more confidence in the zip idea to be honest. But if Acronis still looks inside the zip it won't be any faster. As for the VHDx, don't know anything about it but same goes there.
Perhaps talking about this here is not the best idea. I sent you a PM long ago. If you are ignoring me you can ... and then ... also ✌
By the way...
You should first try to fix that. Most folders only have one file. A folder is not designed (and has no usefulness) for that.
What do you mean fix that? that's the amount of files and folder inside the Plex Media Server folder...