How to: Run Media Browser from RAM. Huge Speed Boost

[Washy]

I found MediaBrowser took a lot of time to sift through the large amount of image cache files so I took the time to figure out how to run MediaBrowser from RAM. Once the cache was cleared and rebuilt in RAM, the program loads thumbnails instantly. I no longer have to wait for all the thumbnails to appear and especially when using the Vanilla theme and the high res backdrops.

Note that this was done using Windows 7 build 7260 32bit Version. It should work with Vista/Windows7 systems.

What your going to need is RAM drive software and Windows Vista or Windows 7. RAM Drive software I've tested with are:

QSoft RAMDISK $20 -- http://www.ramdisk.tk/ -- 32Bit and 64Bit Versions Available
RamDisk 10 for Desktop Systems $60 ** Note you need version 10 for Windows7/Vista -- http://www.superspeed.com/desktop/ramdisk.php -- 32Bit and 64Bit Versions Available
Free Ramdisk $0--http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/05/27/free-ramdisk-for-windows-vista-xp-2000-and-2003-server - Thanks for the tip FeLix 32Bit ONLY Version Only

Both Programs save your RAMDRIVE to hard disk prior to shutdown and restore on bootup.
If your system has 4GB of RAM and using a 32bit OS like I am, those 2 programs can use that 1GB of System RAM that is unused.

Step 1
Download and install the RAM Disk software of your choice. Ramdisk 10 has a nice GUI and is easier to install and setup but is more expensive. You can download it as trialware and is fully functional for 15 days. QSoft RAMDISK is cheaper but I suggest you read the instruction carefully. The instructions say to go to control panel and select Add New Hardware to kick things off, but in Windows 7 the Add New Hardware button is gone. Instead click the Start Orb and search for hdwwiz.exe. I set my RAMDRIVE to 992MB. My current MediaBrowser folder with the cache and ImagesByName folder are already taking up 600+ MB.

Step 2
Once your RAM drive is setup, format it with a quick NTFS filesystem and create a "ProgramData" folder inside it. After that navigate to C:\ProgramData\ (It may be hidden, if so go to folder options in the control panel and check show hidden files) and right click the MediaBrowser folder and select copy, then paste it into your newly created ProgramData folder on your RAMDRIVE.

Step 3
Delete the MediaBrowser folder in C:\ProgramData\. (Or move it to your desktop to create a backup if something going wrong)

Step 4
If you haven't heard Vista/Windows 7 make use of soft/hard links much like *nix. The command is MKLINK in dos. If you want more information on it, Google it.
Click the Start Orb and Search cmd.exe and type the following :

MKLINK /J C:\ProgramData\MediaBrowser DriveLetterofyourRAMDRIVE:\ProgramData\MediaBrowser

Optional Step 5
Make sure you add correct user permissions if your using exenders ie. xbox360 to the new MediaBrowser folder on your RAMDRIVE for all your xbox360 users.

Edit: If you think your lacking RAM, you can just put one or 2 folders on your RAM Drive. For instance, if you just wanted to put the ImageCache folder on your RAMDRIVE you would just copy the ImageCache onto your RAMDRIVE keeping the same directory structure. After pasting, delete the original folder from the C:\ProgramData\MediaBrowser\ directory. Next you edit the MKLINK command:

MKLINK /J C:\ProgramData\MediaBrowser\ImageCache DriveLetterofyourRAMDRIVE:\ProgramData\MediaBrowser\ImageCache

Thats it.


Cheers,

Washy

[ulrick65]

This is a cool idea...but many people have Gigabytes worth of data in the cache. With only 235 movies I have over 1GB myself and I keep it fairly cleaned up.

I like the idea though...I just need to pick up a couple of gigs of ram to try it out.

Thanks for the tutorial.

[Washy]

This is a cool idea...but many people have Gigabytes worth of data in the cache. With only 235 movies I have over 1GB myself and I keep it fairly cleaned up.

I like the idea though...I just need to pick up a couple of gigs of ram to try it out.

Thanks for the tutorial.

I tried an initial size of 2GB without any performance issues. I re-sized it afterwords to free up the wasted RAM though obviously.

[FeLiX]

Hi all,

Just for anyone wanting to do this - you don't need to spend any money on a RAMDISK, there is a free ram-disk that is easy to use and works correctly following the instruction steps above. I have set mine to 1gb (even know the information in the link below does say they don't recommend setting over 64mb - which to my thinking would be a waste of time) and have had no problems, however a vast improvement in performance

Installation and setup information as well as a download link available here

[DemonSeed]

I have 6gb of ram in my rig, that said my image cache is 7.25gb, can I do this or will it not work because of the size of my cache?

[FeLiX]

I have 6gb of ram in my rig, that said my image cache is 7.25gb, can I do this or will it not work because of the size of my cache?

It will make a difference... try setting it at 1gb RAMDISK and see the boost

[Washy]

If you think your lacking RAM, you can just put one or 2 folders on your RAM Drive. For instance, if you just wanted to put the ImageCache folder on your RAMDRIVE you would just copy the ImageCache onto your RAMDRIVE keeping the same directory structure. After pasting, delete the original folder from the C:\ProgramData\MediaBrowser\ directory. Next you edit the MKLINK command:

MKLINK /J C:\ProgramData\MediaBrowser\ImageCache DriveLetterofyourRAMDRIVE:\ProgramData\MediaBrowser\ImageCache

[FeLiX]

good thinking washy!

[Washy]

good thinking washy!

I have my moments

[FeLiX]

Heads up people - the free ramdisk metioned in my post above is not compatible with x64