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[Howto] Put your EVE cache in a RAMdrive for extra speed!

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Dark Shikari Caldari Deep Core Mining Inc.	Posted - 2006.12.30 20:20:00 - [1] Edited by: Dark Shikari on 01/01/2007 14:07:00 BACK UP YOUR SETTINGS FOLDER BEFORE DOING THIS!!! 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. 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. Obviously it would be best to put the whole EVE folder on a RAMdrive, which is quite easy, but that needs over a gigabyte of extra memory, which most people don't have. 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, at least under the default configuration, 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 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." The link must be renamed to cache if it is called "link to cache."
Dark Shikari Caldari Deep Core Mining Inc.	Posted - 2006.12.30 20:21:00 - [2] Edited by: Dark Shikari on 01/01/2007 01:22:16 Note: there have been some other options posted for this, including a program that automatically backs up the drive and a single batch file all of this automatically and launches EVE in between. Read on in the thread to see some of the ideas. 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): 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 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. Also note that if your directoy name has a space or other non-letter/number character you will have to enclose the address in quotes, e.g. "C:\Program Files\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.
Verus Potestas Caldari GoonFleet GoonSwarm	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.
j0sephine Caldari Reikoku Band of Brothers	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.
Dark Shikari Caldari Deep Core Mining Inc.	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.
mazzilliu Caldari Sniggerdly Pandemic Legion	Posted - 2006.12.30 20:51:00 - [6] sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet bookmarks to do this to my client later
j0sephine Caldari Reikoku Band of Brothers	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
Dark Shikari Caldari Deep Core Mining Inc.	Posted - 2006.12.30 21:04:00 - [8] Edited by: Dark Shikari on 30/12/2006 21:12:07 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 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.
FireFoxx80 Caldari E X O D U S Imperial Republic Of the North	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.
Turix Interstellar eXodus Atlas Alliance	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
Shiner BockBeer Go Go Gadget ForumPostingAlt	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?
Majutsu Caldari Deep Core Mining Inc.	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?
j0sephine Caldari Reikoku Band of Brothers	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 ^^;
Fredou Gallente Hidden Agenda Deep Space Engineering	Posted - 2006.12.30 22:04:00 - [14] if you have too much $$$ look at that one...
Rakeris Brethren Empire Hitchhiker's Alliance	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...
Niaski Zalani The Scope	Posted - 2006.12.30 22:49:00 - [16] You might also want to replace that wad of "cd .." with a single "cd \".
Cryten Jones Gallente Eldritch Storm The Matari Consortium	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
Internet Knight The Knighthawks	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...
Siro Imperial Shipment	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 :)
DaMiGe Amarr Infinitus Odium	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
Belautis Rakeriku	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 ;).
Smada Bisot Enterprise	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.
TimtheTerror Caldari Veto. Veto Corp	Posted - 2006.12.30 23:57:00 - [23] Edited by: TimtheTerror on 31/12/2006 00:19:02 Edited by: TimtheTerror on 31/12/2006 00:18:44 EDIT: Nevermind, figured it out :) I've got too many things in my cache folder lol, insufficient diskspace on the Ram disk
Di Jiensai Gallente Domination. Cosmic Anomalies	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:
TimtheTerror Caldari Veto. Veto Corp	Posted - 2006.12.31 00:20:00 - [25] Thanks alot mate! :D
j0sephine Caldari Reikoku Band of Brothers	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 ^^
Di Jiensai Gallente Domination. Cosmic Anomalies	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.
Awox Minmatar Advanced Logistics	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.
DocJB Decadence. RAZOR Alliance	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.
MysticNZ Solstice Systems Development Concourse The Reckoning.	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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