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Dark Shikari
Caldari
Imperium Technologies
Firmus Ixion
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Posted - 2006.12.30 20:20:00 -
[1]
Edited by: Dark Shikari on 30/12/2006 20:35:49
Defiler suggested this a bit back in this thread, so I figured I'd work with him to see if I could get this to work. The result seemed pretty damn effective and rather easy to setup compared to how hard I thought it would be.
Why?
The cache folder gets filled with tons of small files such as portraits which easily get fragmented all over the place. This can drastically slow down EVE's performance, not in terms of FPS, but in terms of stuttering and loading times. In addition, hard drives are naturally slow at loading tons of small files, so there is an automatic speed increase regardless of fragmentation issues.
Why would it be hard?
There are almost no free RAMdrives, and even the pay ones can be hard to set up. In addition, Windows doesn't support symlinks, a critical component of most other operating systems, which would be used to link the "cache" folder in EVE's folder to the RAMdrive. Both of these problems were solved... so read on.
System Requirements:
- 64MB of extra RAM that you are not using (I do not recommend this RAMdrive on systems with less than 512MB of memory).
- Windows XP, 2000, or Server 2003. If you have Linux, this is probably a lot easier, sadly, but the guide doesn't cover it. This guide also won't work for Windows 98, but neither does EVE.
- EVE on a drive formatted with NTFS. This is the default with Windows XP, but if you're using FAT32 this will not work. There are workarounds but you have to find them yourself.
Disadvantages:
- If your cache goes above 64MB, it will no longer work. This is not a problem, as in 64MB you can fit a good few thousand portraits. If it really does get too large, feel free to delete some pictures.
- You must run a batch file before starting EVE (to load the data into the RAMdisk), and another after (to save the data to disk).
Steps:
Note: This will take you roughly ten to fifteen minutes, so set some time aside to do it. If you want to "undo" what you do here, simply disable the RAMdrive in the device manager and remove the link created in the EVE folder. You can also, of course, uninstall the NTFS Link utility.
- Download this free RAMdrive driver and run it, extracting the data files to a temporary folder.
- Go to Control Panel/Add Hardware.
- Choose "Yes, I have already connected the hardware."
- Scroll down the list and choose "add a new hardware device."
- Choose "Install the hardware that I manually select from a list."
- Choose "Show all devices."
- Click "Have Disk" and choose the Inf file in the temporary folder from step 1.
- Right click on My Computer, go to Hardware, go to Device Manager, and find the RAMdrive you just installed. Click the plus to see the driver itself in the category, and right click on it and select properties.
- Select the disk size as "67108864" from the list and select S: as the drive letter (as that is what is used in the batch files).
- Apply the settings.
- Install the NTFS Link program.
- Reboot.
- Rename your cache folder in the EVE folder "cache2".
- Create a "cache" folder in the newly created S: RAMdrive. Right-click drag it to the inside of the EVE folder, and select "create junction here."
-[23] Member-
Listen to EVE-Trance Radio! (DSTrance channel ingame) |
Dark Shikari
Caldari
Imperium Technologies
Firmus Ixion
|
Posted - 2006.12.30 20:21:00 -
[2]
Edited by: Dark Shikari on 30/12/2006 20:28:43
To run EVE, simply run the startup batch file, then run EVE. Once you're done, run the shutdown batch file to save the cache on the hard disk. Note that if your computer crashes or the like, your old cache from the last time you ran the shutdown script is still saved.
The startup batch file (save as startup.bat). Note how it nicely removed Machonet for you so that you don't have to:
 Quote:
i: (DRIVE LETTER GOES HERE)
cd ..
cd ..
cd ..
cd ..
cd ..
cd ccp (CD TO THE CORRECT PATH)
cd eve
rmdir /s /q s:\cache
xcopy /C /I /D /K /R /E /H cache2 s:\cache
s:
cd ..
cd ..
cd ..
cd cache
rmdir /s /q machonet
c:
Note that you MUST replace the first part of the script with an appropriate drive letter and commands to CD to the path where your EVE folder is. My EVE folder is in I:/CCP/EVE.
The shutdown batch file (save as shutdown.bat):
Quote:
i: (DRIVE LETTER GOES HERE)
cd ..
cd ..
cd ..
cd ..
cd ..
cd ccp (PATH GOES HERE!)
cd eve
rmdir /s /q cache2
s:
cd ..
cd ..
cd ..
xcopy /C /I /D /K /R /E /H cache i:\ccp\eve\cache2 (PATH GOES HERE AGAIN!)
rmdir /s /q cache
c:
Same catch as above.
It might not be easy, but at least it works: I'm running EVE on it now.
-[23] Member-
Listen to EVE-Trance Radio! (DSTrance channel ingame) |
Verus Potestas
Caldari
Perkone
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Posted - 2006.12.30 20:24:00 -
[3]
Originally by: Dark Shikari
EVE on a drive formatted with NTFS. This is the default with Windows XP, but if you're using FAT32 this will not work. There are workarounds but you have to find them yourself.
If you are on FAT32, running XP and are happy to move to NTFS, it's not hard.
Go to the run box and type
cmd /k convert C: /FS:NTFS
Obviously replace C with your drive letter if you aren't on C:
As for the plan, might be a fun thing to try.
Between corps atm, the NPC one is strictly a temporary thing.
RAWR!111 Sig Hijackz0r!!11 - Immy |
j0sephine
Caldari
Reikoku
Band of Brothers
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Posted - 2006.12.30 20:44:00 -
[4]
Edited by: j0sephine on 30/12/2006 20:45:41
"In addition, Windows doesn't support symlinks, a critical component of most other operating systems, which would be used to link the "cache" folder in EVE's folder to the RAMdrive."
Windows' NTFS supports "junction points" which for this particular purpose are the same thing -- a hard link which makes program trying to write in such linked directory to write in target folder, instead.
linkD.exe included with Windows Server Resource Kit can be used to form these links... as can be number of utilities listed on the bottom of wikipedia page dealing with this subject.
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Dark Shikari
Caldari
Imperium Technologies
Firmus Ixion
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Posted - 2006.12.30 20:48:00 -
[5]
Edited by: Dark Shikari on 30/12/2006 20:48:25
Originally by: j0sephine
Edited by: j0sephine on 30/12/2006 20:45:41
"In addition, Windows doesn't support symlinks, a critical component of most other operating systems, which would be used to link the "cache" folder in EVE's folder to the RAMdrive."
Windows' NTFS supports "junction points" which for this particular purpose are the same thing -- a hard link which makes program trying to write in such linked directory to write in target folder, instead.
linkD.exe included with Windows Server Resource Kit can be used to form these links... as can be number of utilities listed on the bottom of wikipedia page dealing with this subject.
Well if you read the post, what I meant is that it didn't come with support for them by default, which is why I linked to a program that added such support 
Fixed for clarity.
-[23] Member-
Listen to EVE-Trance Radio! (DSTrance channel ingame) |
mazzilliu
Caldari
Sniggerdly
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Posted - 2006.12.30 20:51:00 -
[6]
sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet
*bookmarks to do this to my client later*
1000% awesome guide to logging out |
j0sephine
Caldari
Reikoku
Band of Brothers
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Posted - 2006.12.30 20:58:00 -
[7]
"Well if you read the post, what I meant is that it didn't come with support for them by default, which is why I linked to a program that added such support "
Well if you want to get technical then the support is there by default, there's just no easy-to-use tool provided in regular installation that'd allow the user take advantage of it -.^
anyway, this is alternative free ram disk. It's based on the same sample source code from microsoft, but doesn't have the artificial 64 mb limitation and doesn't try to make people shell out money for "full" version ;s
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Dark Shikari
Caldari
Imperium Technologies
Firmus Ixion
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Posted - 2006.12.30 21:04:00 -
[8]
Edited by: Dark Shikari on 30/12/2006 21:05:37
Originally by: j0sephine
anyway, this is alternative free ram disk. It's based on the same sample source code from microsoft, but doesn't have the artificial 64 mb limitation and doesn't try to make people shell out money for "full" version ;s
Uh no, that's the exact same RAMdisk.
The INF file even lists the exact same developer as the one I linked to, and the .SYS file lists the exact same author.
-[23] Member-
Listen to EVE-Trance Radio! (DSTrance channel ingame) |
FireFoxx80
Caldari
E X O D U S
Imperial Republic Of the North
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Posted - 2006.12.30 21:28:00 -
[9]
Worthwhile mentioning:
Keep a backup of your cache folder! I just foolishly deleted my /settings folder when doing this, and lost all my overview settings.
What I do the rest of the time - Vote for a Jita bypass! |
Turix
Silver Star Federation
Kurai Komichi
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Posted - 2006.12.30 21:55:00 -
[10]
Originally by: FireFoxx80
Worthwhile mentioning:
Keep a backup of your cache folder! I just foolishly deleted my /settings folder when doing this, and lost all my overview settings.
 I just did that too, and lost my widescreen resolution - it wont give it back 
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Shiner BockBeer
Go Go Gadget ForumPostingAlt
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Posted - 2006.12.30 21:57:00 -
[11]
How well does this work with multiple clients?
Or is there even any way of making it work with multple clients?
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Majutsu
Caldari
S.Y.N.D
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Posted - 2006.12.30 21:58:00 -
[12]
Interesting, I have 2GB DDR 2 in this PC, possible to put the whole game on a RAMdrive?
Caldari Gunboat Pilot
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j0sephine
Caldari
Reikoku
Band of Brothers
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Posted - 2006.12.30 21:58:00 -
[13]
"That's the exact same RAMdisk.
The INF file even lists the exact same developer as the one I linked to, and the .SYS file lists the exact same author.
Update: I installed the RAMdisk you linked to and it also has a 64MB limit."
It's earlier version by the same author ^^ difference comes in included source code -- available drive sizes are defined in
DWORD dwaDriveSizes[] = { 0x10000 * 10, 0x10000 * 20, 0x10000 * 50, 0x10000 * 100, 0x10000 * 200, 0x10000 * 500, 0x10000 * 1000 } ;
... line, so changing these values and recompiling allows to pick different drive size. Figure someone with too much time on their hands could do that, or better yet alter the property page so it allows easier way to specify disk size ^^;
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Fredou
Gallente
Hidden Agenda
Deep Space Engineering
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Posted - 2006.12.30 22:04:00 -
[14]
if you have too much $$$ look at that one...
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Rakeris
Legio VIII
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Posted - 2006.12.30 22:43:00 -
[15]
As most of them are kinda expensive. You could probably fine a torrent or something, to try out the program/s to see if you think it would be worth buying...
----------
I gave up on sigs. As all the beatings are starting to hurt and leave nasty bruises. |
Niaski Zalani
Sniggerdly
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Posted - 2006.12.30 22:49:00 -
[16]
You might also want to replace that wad of "cd .." with a single "cd \".
yarr. |
Cryten Jones
Gallente
Imperium Technologies
Firmus Ixion
|
Posted - 2006.12.30 22:49:00 -
[17]
Another thing you can do is place both batch scrips into the same file with the call to run eve.exe in between the two sections.
This will copy to RAM, run EvE and then when you quite eve (including CTD) copy the cache back.
Just an idea
Also, do you guys thing that using a spare USB thum drive for this would be worth the effort or not ?
-CJ
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Internet Knight
Caldari
The Knighthawks
Ratel Alliance
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Posted - 2006.12.30 22:50:00 -
[18]
Good info! Now I just need to install those 1GB sticks of memory I got for Christmas...
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Siro
Eye of God
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Posted - 2006.12.30 23:09:00 -
[19]
Originally by: j0sephine
"That's the exact same RAMdisk.
The INF file even lists the exact same developer as the one I linked to, and the .SYS file lists the exact same author.
Update: I installed the RAMdisk you linked to and it also has a 64MB limit."
It's earlier version by the same author ^^ difference comes in included source code -- available drive sizes are defined in
DWORD dwaDriveSizes[] = { 0x10000 * 10, 0x10000 * 20, 0x10000 * 50, 0x10000 * 100, 0x10000 * 200, 0x10000 * 500, 0x10000 * 1000 } ;
... line, so changing these values and recompiling allows to pick different drive size. Figure someone with too much time on their hands could do that, or better yet alter the property page so it allows easier way to specify disk size ^^;
It'd be nice if someone changed that one line to allow 128mb, 256mb, and 512mb... And threw all those instructions in the guide into an automated installer :)
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DaMiGe
Amarr
Infinitus Odium
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Posted - 2006.12.30 23:13:00 -
[20]
Quote:
@echo off
d:
cd\ccp\eve
@echo copying files, Please wait
xcopy /C /I /D /K /R /E /H cache2 s:\cache
@echo files copied
s:
cd\cache
@echo removing machonet
rmdir /s /q machonet
@echo machonet removed
D:\CCP\EVE\eve.exe
cls
@echo (only press when you shutdown eve)
pause
d:
cd\ccp\eve
rmdir /s /q cache2
s:
cd\
xcopy /C /I /D /K /R /E /H cache d:\ccp\eve\cache2
rmdir /s /q cache
exit
no expert, but still 
all in one batchfile, works for me 
---> My vids <---
latest movie = Lock 'N Load 6 |
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Belautis
Rakeriku
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Posted - 2006.12.30 23:25:00 -
[21]
This sounds like Eve ReadyBoost :). Anyone tried to run eve off a 2 or 4 Gb USB pendrive ? Is it a lot faster ? They've dropped down in price a lot, might be interesting to give that a go ;).
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Smada
Templar Republic
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Posted - 2006.12.30 23:43:00 -
[22]
If you've got a fair bit of spare cash buy a Gigabyte iRAM, chuck 2 Gb plain vanilla RAM at it (minimum for an EVE install), copy your EVE install folder to it - jobs a good 'un! 
Load times are noticably shorter for me.
Defrags in about 15 sec.
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TimtheTerror
Caldari
Crazy 88's
O X I D E
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Posted - 2006.12.30 23:57:00 -
[23]
Can someone help me please? I've done everything except create the startup and shutdown batch files.
I've copied the quotes into notepad, but what exactly do I need to change? the path to my EVE is C:\CCP\EVE
What do I need to change to make the batch files work? And please keep the answer simple.
---
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Di Jiensai
Gallente
Myster0ns
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Posted - 2006.12.31 00:17:00 -
[24]
Edited by: Di Jiensai on 31/12/2006 00:18:50
Quote:
Can someone help me please? I've done everything except create the startup and shutdown batch files.
I've copied the quotes into notepad, but what exactly do I need to change? the path to my EVE is C:\CCP\EVE
What do I need to change to make the batch files work? And please keep the answer simple.
Quote:
c:
cd \CCP\EVE
rmdir /s /q s:\cache
xcopy /C /I /D /K /R /E /H cache2 s:\cache
s:
cd \cache
rmdir /s /q machonet
c:
The shutdown batch file (save as shutdown.bat):
Quote:
c:
cd \CCP\EVE
rmdir /s /q cache2
s:
cd \
xcopy /C /I /D /K /R /E /H cache c:\CCP\EVE\cache2
rmdir /s /q cache
c:
---
The Story of the Big-Bad-Nos-Domi and the Brutix
Selfproclaimed last instance on Rightousness Issues |
TimtheTerror
Caldari
Crazy 88's
O X I D E
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Posted - 2006.12.31 00:20:00 -
[25]
Thanks alot mate! :D
---
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j0sephine
Caldari
Reikoku
Band of Brothers
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Posted - 2006.12.31 00:21:00 -
[26]
"I've got too many things in my cache folder lol, insufficient diskspace on the Ram disk  "
You can delete everything but the "settings" sub-folder and the prefs.ini from the cache folder, it'll be rebuilt over time as you fly around and look at things ^^
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Di Jiensai
Gallente
Myster0ns
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Posted - 2006.12.31 00:23:00 -
[27]
Originally by: Shiner BockBeer
How well does this work with multiple clients?
Or is there even any way of making it work with multple clients?
I am just at the moment running 2 clients from ramdisk on my pc. It seems to help a bit with performance especialy the rightclick menues are quicker. but i have only a 1.2 gHz Duron
you just need to make a folder cache2 and link that as cache to your eve dir of the second client.
---
The Story of the Big-Bad-Nos-Domi and the Brutix
Selfproclaimed last instance on Rightousness Issues |
Awox
I Fought Piranhas
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Posted - 2006.12.31 01:15:00 -
[28]
Since my new PC will have 2GB of RAM I will definately give this a shot. Never thought of using a ramdisk in windows to make games faster.. nice one. 
--
*snip* Discussing moderation/ linking to flamebait is a no-no. Read the forum rules before reposting. If you have any questions, email us at [email protected] Tirg |
DocJB
Gallente
Decadence.
Dusk and Dawn
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Posted - 2006.12.31 01:50:00 -
[29]
Edited by: DocJB on 31/12/2006 01:55:47
AR Soft Ramdisk
has no Limit and is free 
Can not test the effect at the moment as i will have no access to my main computer until next week.
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MysticNZ
Solstice Systems Development Concourse
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Posted - 2006.12.31 01:54:00 -
[30]
Under win2k3 you can create symlinks or use dfs, not that I imagine alot of people are. Pretty sure you can do the same thing under Windows XP Pro.
If you are really keen on a ram drive, then take a look here
-=====-
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