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Windows Vista ReadyBoost Problem

June 10, 2008 · by Anthony

USB interface cardWindows Vista has a lot of nice new features that make working with the computer easier and more fun. Apart from the graphical changes there are quite a few technical improvements. One of those improvements is ReadyBoost.

This feature enables high speed data transfers over the USB bus. ReadyBoost is basically a disk caching mechanism, which is intended to boost system performance. But it will also speed up your USB device.

Unfortunately ReadyBoost will not work for all USB devices. If you have a problem with ReadyBoost in Vista, it is most likely a compatibility problem with your USB device. Devices that add extra USB ports can also be a problem. In some cases it can be fixed by a driver, but this will not always work.

So what if nothing works? Well you can still try to get the device to work using some registry tweaks. Follow these steps:

  1. First, remove the USB device from the computer.
  2. From the Windows Start menu, select Run. In the Run box, type regedit and click OK.
  3. In the Registry Editor, locate the following key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\EMDMgmt
  4. Open the key and select the name of the USB device that causes problems.
  5. In the right-had panel select the entry with the name: DeviceStatus. Right-click the entry, and select Modify from the popup menu. Type a value of 2 and click OK
  6. Next, right-click the entry with the name: ReadSpeedKBs. Again select Modify in the popup menu. Now type a value of 1000 and click OK.
  7. Repeat the previous step for the entry with the name: WriteSpeeKBs. Again use a value of 1000.
  8. Close the Registry Editor. Select Exit from the File menu.
  9. Lastly, connect the USB device again.

This windows vista tweak will force Vista to use the ReadyBoost feature on your USB device, even if the USB device did not pass the required tests.

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Filed Under Windows Vista

Comments

7 Responses to “Windows Vista ReadyBoost Problem”

  1. Roger on June 17th, 2008 10:38 am

    Jonathon, good bit of info however I have a very different issue with Readyboost on Vista. I bought a 4GB Gizmo drive specifically for the purpose of using it as Readyboost. Since then I have upgraded the main PC memory. Now the Gizmo USB device isn’t recognised by the system when it is pugged in, and this is the same on other PC’s. I’m not convinced that the device is broken, but I do think it may have been reserved for Readyboost only and I can’t find a way to format it.

    Any help greatly appreciated.

  2. Anthony on June 17th, 2008 11:53 am

    Roger, weird problem indeed. Since your device is not recognized on other systems, it is indeed likely something on the device itself.
    Only thing I know of that possibly explains such a problem is U3 launcher software on the stick. Not sure if the Gizmo has this as well, but Sandisk devices do. You probably need to find a U3 remover tool for the Crucial devices if there is such a launcher on it, as it can prevent ReadyBoost to work.
    Your memory expansion should not be the problem. More memory could reduce the speed impact resulting from the ReadyBoost device, but not the working as a whole.

    Hope you manage to fix it.

  3. Roger on June 19th, 2008 7:40 am

    Thanks for the information Anthony. I know that the Gizmo drive does have the drivers on it as part of the device. So I’ll look into this as a potential issue.

  4. Gavin Moulds on August 17th, 2008 10:33 am

    I had the same problem initially. Vista would not allow me to use ready boost for any of my several memory sticks. Since then I have re-installed and the same thing happened. The device does not have the required performance characterstics…….

    I followed your advice to the letter and edited the registry. It made no difference whatsoever.

  5. Anthony on August 18th, 2008 10:43 am

    @Gavin - that is strange. I tested some old USB keys again to make sure, but it really works.
    Two things to try:
    1) make sure the device is set to not be re-tested in the drive ReadyBoost properties. Otherwise Vista will reset the speed to the actual measured speed.
    2) increase the 1000, for example 10000. It’s simply about convincing the system to accept the speed.

  6. Chris on October 9th, 2008 8:32 pm

    It really worked for me! After done this I selected te ‘retry’ (or something like that) button for readyboost and it finaly recognized that it can be used for readyboost. Thank you!

  7. Evan on November 2nd, 2008 12:48 am

    Worked like a charm, even with the Gizmo drive plugged in! You rock! :D

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