#12 Slow RAM disk synchronization on Windows shutdown

[sinomaen]

I used RamDisk Configuration tool to set-up a 2GB RAM disk loaded from an image file and with synchronization at system shutdown. The RAM disk contains ~800MB in ~40000 files and works fine. The only problem is that the Windows shutdown/restart now takes about 5 minutes longer than before.

If I use ImDisk Virtual Disk Driver tool and run Save Image... on the RAM disk, it gets written to disk in less than 10s. I suspect that during shutdown the synchronization is done by copying files 1 by 1 which takes really long instead of doing whatever Save Image... does.

Would it be possible to change the synchronization to do what Save Image... does (at least when synchronizing to image file, not directory)?

[v77]

It seems that you have unchecked "Copy only files with Archive attribute". In this case, yes, files are copied one by one, which can still be faster than copying a whole image in the case where there are only a few files.

Otherwise, maybe all the files of your image already have the archive attribute.

Please check these points.

Of course, what you ask for could also be implemented, but I wonder if there is a true need for that.

[sinomaen]

Yes, you're right, I've unchecked it. The reason was that I don't really know whether files that get created/modified on RAM disk will always have that attribute set so it seemed safer not to rely on that.

As a workaround, I turned off synchronization in RamDisk Configuration tool and added scheduled task for shutdown as described in guideline https://forums.guru3d.com/threads/guide-using-imdisk-to-set-up-ram-disk-s-in-windows-with-no-limit-on-disk-size.356046/ and it seems to work fine so far.

[v77]

According to my tests, the archive attribute is set automatically by the system at any file creation or change. And it works for any native file system.
After all, this is the purpose of this attribute.

So, it is reliable... as long as a software does not modify it itself. And yes, it is easy to imagine a software that saves all the attributes of a file, change this file, and then restores the attributes. In this case, depending on the method, the archive attribute can be cleared.
Of course this is a bug, but it is possible.

Glad to see that you found a workaround. Perhaps I will add this feature in a future version.

[Blackkatt]

I have a 15 GB image and the same problem as above. I did not check "Copy only files with Archive attribute" and checking it made no difference =(

Takes the same about of time as well, about 5 minutes to shutdown and my image is 13 GB bigger then his ...

[v77]

Checking the option avoids the file to be backed up, even if it was modified. I just checked that.
However, all the files and folders are still listed. But it should take only a few seconds, even for thousands files.

Even without bug, there might be a performance issue somewhere. Making a proper performance test with thousands files is not so easy but I will try.

[Blackkatt]

Hi v77, sounds so volvo?

I have a hard time following what you just said. So let me clarify. Using "Copy only files with Archive attribute" or not. Has NO impact on the problem at hand. It still takes 5 minutes to shutdown with sync at shutdown enabled.

And we can confirm is has nothing to do with the file size seen as my image is 15 GB and his was only 2 GB taking the same time to

"Shutting down service: ImDisk Toolkit Helper Service"

sidenote: its very annoying that chrome/spell check does not work inside the writing table or what to call it 🤣

[v77]

5 minutes to do what? Do you have reads/writes on your hard drive during all this time?
Does it take 5 minutes to shutdown even without any file changed in the ramdisk?
Did you checked that your files in the ramdisk have the archive attribute cleared?

Is the fast startup of Windows enabled?

[Blackkatt]

According to my tests, the archive attribute is set automatically by the system at any file creation or change. And it works for any native file system.
After all, this is the purpose of this attribute.

After reading this erlier I check if the files in Plex Media Server had this attribute, all seem too. But as I said. It don't mater if "Copy only files with Archive attribute" is checked or not.

It takes 5 minutes for the ImDisk Toolkit Helper Service to shutdown, showing this message Shutting down service: ImDisk Toolkit Helper Service now, whats keeping the service you tell me. But everyting is saved just takes 5+ minutes 😒

Does it take 5 minutes to shutdown even without any file changed in the ramdisk?

I don't know. And I have to redo all if I'm gonna try. Removed it erlier.

Is the fast startup of Windows enabled?

no its not.

Do you think it's hot in here?

Yes I do.