Diaspora: Loading DiaSpora from a Ramdisk

http://ospora.co.uk/mirrors/www.aeternus.tmfweb.nl/Diaspora/

Loading DiaSpora from a Ramdisk

For Windows 95/98FE systems

The game is slow at times. Usually when there are many people near you, or when you land and switch ships/trade/repair. Why? Each time that happens, a lot of files need to be read from the harddisk. And harddisks, believe it or not, are slow.

So how to fix? Load the files into RAM memory. Ramdisk will do this.

What will happen if you do this? Your computer loses 6MB of RAM (as it is used for the virtual harddisk). Your computer will gain an extra harddrive. This new drive will store data ONLY if the computer is ON! Each time you reboot the drive is fully erased. The new drive is EXTREMELY fast.

Note: The procedure I give here will make a 6MB Ramdisk, just big enough for my Miniskin. If you want the whole Diaspora installation on a Ramdisk you will need to experiment in raising the 6144 number untill it fits. You will lose more RAM available to other programs if you do so, be warned.

Ok, enough chatter. To the point. I'll guide you step by step trough this.

1: Open up notepad ( start - run - Notepad )
2: Choose "File" - "open" - "c:\config.sys"
3: Add the following 2 lines (copy and paste):
device=c:\windows\himem.sys
device=C:\windows\Ramdrive.sys 6144 /e
4: Save the file.
5: Reboot.

At this point, every time you start your computer, the 6MB new Ramdisk is created. This disk will get the driveletter next to the last hard disk. On most computers it will be D:, with the CD stations and other drives pushed up a letter (D: becomes E: ect.). From here on I'll assume you have the Ramdisk as D:.

6: In Windows, you will now notice in "My Computer" that you have 1 more drive, called "RAMDRIVE".
7: Download the DarkaSpora miniskin, run the EXE, specify "D:\" as unpack path.
8: Open D:\Diaspora.exe and log on... And test how fast it can be!

To Windows 98 SE users: For some odd reason, the Windows 98 team removed the long filename storage method for ramdrives in Windows 98 SE. Therefor on this method of creating a Ramdrive, you shall not be able to copy the Diaspora files onto it. You can try and find a different ramdrive driver (try searching "RamDisk98" on altavista) if you really wish this speed benefit.

To WinNT/Win2K users: Windows NT does not allow the driver listed above. You can try and find a NT version (try searching for "RamDiskNT" on altavista) if you really want this speed benefit.

Note that for the 2 listed programs I shall not put up a tutorial. They should largely explain themselves.

Aeternus "Death to Lag" Doleo, of the Empire