Category : Tutorials + Patches
Archive   : STAC0694.ZIP
Filename : 4509.TXT

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STACKER NOTE STACKER NOTE
TUNING STACKER 4.0 FOR MAXIMUM SPEED
(Applies to Stacker 4.0)
STAC FAX 4509 (06-17-1994)
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BACKGROUND

Stacker 4.0's SmartPack provides the best real-time disk
compression available. When you create a new Stacker drive, or
convert a Stacker drive from a previous version, you are taking
advantage of SmartPack. This method trades off speed for the
best compression. The Stacker Toolbox provides the ability for
you to tune your computer for fastest speed vs. best compression.
It also provides a tool, the Optimizer, that allows you
periodically recompress your drive. These two tools provide a
great deal of flexibility in tuning your computer for the best
overall performance.

SOLUTION

Determine your requirements for speed vs. compression.
Make selections from the Stacker Toolbox to meet your
requirements.
Other Speed issues

Determine your requirements for speed vs. compression

You must decide whether you wish to use the Stacker Toolbox to
tune your computer for maximum speed or maximum compression based
on your system's overall performance and your need for disk
space. Stacker provides the flexibility to make use of maximum
speed during day-to-day operations, while periodically optimizing
your drive to get the best compression. Utilizing this strategy
you would use the Stacker Toolbox to select MaxSpeed. But you
would also regularly use the Optimize tool to recompress your
drive selecting the MaxSpace option.

Make selections from the Stacker Toolbox to meet your
requirements

From Windows:

1. Open the Stacker Toolbox and click on the "tune" button.
2. Select the speed setting you desire. Select MaxSpeed for the
fastest performance.
3. When Optimizing your Stacker drive, click on the Optimize
button in the Stacker Toolbox.
4. Select the optimization method you desire. To get the best
compression select Full-MaxSpace.



From DOS:

1. Type STAC at the DOS prompt.
2. Select Stacker Tuner from the menu.
3. Select the speed setting you desire. "Fastest speed and
standard compression" is the equivalent of MaxSpeed in
Windows.
4. When Optimizing the drive, select Stacker Optimizer from the
main menu.
5. Select the compression method desired. "Full-MaxSpace" gives
you the best compression.

Remember that you only need to set the Tuner one time. Your
computer will operate at that speed setting from then on, unless
you change the setting. You should periodically run the Stacker
Optimizer when your fragmentation level gets too high, or you
wish to recompress the drive for best compression.

Other Speed issues

Other things that affect system speed are the settings of your
disk cache and setting up a Windows Permanent Swap File (WPSF).

1. Most disk caches have the flexibility to change the amount
of memory they are devoting to the cache. For example, you
can set the amount of memory DOS' SMARTDRV will use in both
DOS and Windows. If you are using SMARTDRV, its load line
may look like this in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file:
C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDRV /X 2048 2048
The first 2048 indicates the cache size in DOS. The second
indicates the cache size in Windows. By experimenting with
these parameters you may be able to increase your system's
apparent speed. See your disk cache's documentation for
details.
2. Set up a WPSF using either the 386 Enhanced icon or Virtual
Memory icon in the Control Panel. See your Windows
documentation for recommended sizes for the WPSF. StacFax
4202 has additional information concerning Stacker and swap
files.


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Copyright 1994 Stac Electronics