FlashFire: SSD accelerator

Discussion in 'Storage' started by zflashpoint, Mar 17, 2009.

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  1. zflashpoint

    zflashpoint

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    Hello,

    We developed a device driver for Windows XP, which can accelerate SSD write performance.
    Now we started open beta test.

    We tested AspireOne with 16G SSD and it is too slow to install Windows XP.
    However, with FlashFire, it is very "usable" in spite of the poor SSD performance.

    This is also beneficial for other SSDs.
    We tested four Netbooks: Acer aspire One 16G SSD, Asus eee1000 8G SSD (C drive), Dell mini 9 16G SSD and HP 1010 8G SSD.
    The write performance became roughly twice faster than before on average.

    However, be careful !!!, and you should make a backup important data before installing this.

    Official Web page & forum: http://flashfire.org
     
    zflashpoint, Mar 17, 2009
    #1
  2. zflashpoint

    kwirky

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    This caused a BSOD on boot with my system. Shame, the benchmarks look nice.
     
    kwirky, Mar 17, 2009
    #2
  3. zflashpoint

    azz2811

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    yeah by principle it looks nice i might have to try it soon but now im wary of the BSOD
     
    azz2811, Mar 17, 2009
    #3
  4. zflashpoint

    jackc111

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    As a fellow Georgia Tech alumnus, I am looking forward to trying it out!
     
    jackc111, Mar 17, 2009
    #4
  5. zflashpoint

    avio

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    Computer wouldn't reboot into windows after install. Luckily imaged the drive first. 8GB SSD model
     
    avio, Mar 21, 2009
    #5
  6. zflashpoint

    terence

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    Users beware! My experience was exactly the same as the previous posting, using an identical machine: 8GB SSD. Instant BSOD and a major headache to reinstall the Acronis image I had had the foresight to take before experimenting. Nice idea, this software, but obviously still has a ways to go before it could go mainstream. Repeat: beware of using this, unless you REALLY know your way around and can recover from a possible total failure and don't have a problem with that!
     
    terence, Mar 22, 2009
    #6
  7. zflashpoint

    zflashpoint

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    Sorry for your trouble.
    But, you don't need to reformat whole system because of flashpoint.
    Instead, you can just choose "Last known good Configuration" from your booting options (F8).
    Anyway, I am very sorry for you and everyone who experiences problems.

    However, I think I solved the problem.
    In my experiments, the driver causes blue-screen on Windows XP Home edition, and I released new version to fix that.

    Sorry, again.
    But, the driver will not disappoint you! I promise.
     
    zflashpoint, Mar 23, 2009
    #7
  8. zflashpoint

    macsat

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    I have installed it on a Aspire One 110L with 1.5 GB RAM and 8 GB SSD with Windows XP Pro SP3.

    So far the machine seem stable, and a lot snappier in use than before.

    Stuff like surfing the www is a lot faster (due to faster writing of cache I'm quite sure).

    Also booting is a lot faster.

    BUT - it dont seem to be a linary effect, take a look at the image attached.
     
    macsat, Mar 23, 2009
    #8
  9. zflashpoint

    zflashpoint

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    The result is interesting, and I have never seen that from my experiments.
    However, it may be possible due to the internal firmware algorithm.
    Basically, FlashPoint translates small random writes to big sequential writes with RAM buffer to get better write performance.

    Anyway, I am happy to hear FlashPoint works well without trouble.
     
    zflashpoint, Mar 23, 2009
    #9
  10. zflashpoint

    macsat

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    If I can help you with some info, to help you out figuring about this strange behaviour, please let me know :)
     
    macsat, Mar 23, 2009
    #10
  11. zflashpoint

    JimmiG

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    Definitely seeing some improvements here.

    -During startup, the system becomes usable much quicker. Before it would freeze several times at the desktop before it would start responding properly.

    -Loading Live Messenger and Live Mail is quicker now. Before, they would also freeze for a moment before becoming usable.

    -In general, those annoying system freezes that last from 0.5 to 2 seconds seem to be much fewer or maybe even eliminated.

    Any idea how this will affect the life span of the SSD?
     
    JimmiG, Mar 23, 2009
    #11
  12. zflashpoint

    avio

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    The machine that I installed it on did have XP Pro instaled (albeit Rons TinyXP version).
    I will give it another go again when I have the time probably this weekend. Thanks for updating it all the same.
    Rob
     
    avio, Mar 23, 2009
    #12
  13. zflashpoint

    zflashpoint

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    FlashPoint is helpful for life span of SSD.
    I have some simulation results, but it is too technical, I guess.
    Fundamentally, it is beneficial for SSD's life time.
     
    zflashpoint, Mar 23, 2009
    #13
  14. zflashpoint

    zflashpoint

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    Right, the problem was not XP Home.
    It was FAT32 file system.
    In other words, the BETA1 version makes a trouble for FAT32 file system, but it is okay for NTFS.
    Current version (BETA2) has no problem on both NTFS and FAT32.

    Sorry for your inconvenience.
     
    zflashpoint, Mar 23, 2009
    #14
  15. zflashpoint

    stageman1

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    Very cool program. Makes my system with xp home on fat32 much zippier. Hdtune benchmarch shows no dips in r/w display.
     
    stageman1, Mar 23, 2009
    #15
  16. zflashpoint

    sir_nano

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    In http://zflashpoint.blogspot.com/ I have seen the results, and I'm absolutally surprised with it!

    It's true? I'm thinking in change to SSD, but If this results are true, I won't do it.

    I try it this afternoon.
     
    sir_nano, Mar 24, 2009
    #16
  17. zflashpoint

    macsat

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    As I posted earlier, my measurements seem to be a bit more flaky looking than those on the blogspot site. BUT I am definally seeing massive improvements in terms of responsiveness of the system.

    I was considering switching to a faster SSD or to a CF Card based solution, now I am not anymore. In any normal day to day use, it now seem as fast as a harddisk.

    Great product. 100% stable for me thus far.
     
    macsat, Mar 24, 2009
    #17
  18. zflashpoint

    stageman1

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    After using the program for a couple of days I have to say again what an improvement over "stock" ssd performance. Seems to be very stable for all of my programs. This is especially evident with slower network connections. Good job!
     
    stageman1, Mar 24, 2009
    #18
  19. zflashpoint

    avio

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    I can now confirm this works on AAone 8GB SSD running windows XP Pro in FAT 32. I've installed it on both my kids netbooks and it seems to have stopped the lag that sometimes happens.
    Question to zflashpoint - what would you recommend setting the virtual ram at to compliment the program? At present mine is set to zero.
    Will give more feedback when I can test it further.
     
    avio, Mar 24, 2009
    #19
  20. zflashpoint

    Shad0wguy

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    Re: SSD accelerator

    I just installed this on Ron's tinyXP. I definitely see improved speed. Particularly from the welcome screen to a functional desktop.
     
    Shad0wguy, Mar 24, 2009
    #20
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