CompuServe Messages

David, The cautions apply to using SMARTDRV /C command which is not the same as the original SMARTDRV. The old SMARTDRV and SMARTDRV /F, both the defaults appear to be the same from my reading of the manuals. The main difference being that you have to disable the old SMARTDRV if you don't want to use it and with the new Version you have to enable it if you want to use it. 🙁 I think from this you can deduce that the Default is fairly safe but the increased performance with SMARTDRV /C runs the risk of losing data if not used properly or the system locks up. The caveat is, if you're going to use a cache know the risks. So its probably wise that Microsoft by default has disabled "write back" as the default. Actually a fast processor, fast display card, fast hard disk and a lot of RAM is the ideal anyway. Your manuals appear to have the same contents as Ver 6.2 FWIW. I have DOS 5 with the hologram on the spine, which was the manual for DOS 5 and wasn't upgraded. I think there's some confusion about /F and /C but I'm sure by now you've probably figured that out. I'd agree about the versions of smartdrv making it confusing, which is why I agreed with Gus that the best idea was to disable the cache in the first place. It may or may not be the problem but at least that eliminates the potential. Then you can go back if you're interested and customize it to your liking. Caches can be very tricky but most literature hasn't gotten into the potential problems. And Microsoft hasn't given good instruction on proper use until recently. And even then its not very clear. >> INSIDE 3D STUDIO .. It should come in real handy (even more so if only I had time to actually sit down and read it!) I felt exactly the same way, but actually it hasn't been a problem because the way its organised you can just flip through it and something captures your eye and what ever it is is usually just a couple of pages which you can get through fast as a result. I think the trick is to keep it on the desk, and just pick it and fan through it. That's what I've been doing and I've found it interesting in the approach and ideas. Its a handy book. So I guess will bury SMARTDRV, eh? 🙂 -JE