Power Computing PowerTower Pro User Manual page 287

prefetching data in sma1l2K increments, users may enjoy the performance gains associ-
ated with read-ahead caching while using fewer CPU cycles to refresh the cache.
Large - Selecting this option will turn on read ahead caching using 32K data blocks. By
prefetching data in larger 32K increments, users may enjoy insreased performance gains
associated with larger cache files by dedicating additional resources to the cache. The
disadvantage to the this option, is that QuickTime users may find video to be IIjerky"
due to fluctuating data transfer rates. Heavy QuickTime users should choose the Read
Ahead Small option, or disable it altogether. This option functions better on 2x or faster
drives, and on faster Macintoshes.
Pre-Caching Options
260
Pre-caching is designed to copy repeatedly used information to a "buffer" on your hard
drive. This process off-loads basic information requests to the faster storage device and is
the primary acceleration technique used by the CD-ROM ToolKit.
File
&,
Folder information - Selecting this option copies basic file information to the hard
drive, significantly improving your ability to find files and folders on the disc. This cach-
ing option represents the best opportunity to improve overall performance of CD-ROM
drives and therefore should be left on. This information consumes the largest portion of
the cache file on the hard disk.
Desktop Information - Selecting this option copies icons and other file specific informa-
tion to the hard drive which improves the speed of window refresh and Get Info opera-
tions. This information will utilize a smaller portion of the cache file on the hard disk.
System 7 Icon files - Selecting this option will copy custom icon information to a buffer
on the hard drive and improves Finder operations and icon drawing speed. Enabling Pre-
scanning System 7 Alias files and System 7 folder icon files options in the CDT Control
Panel can easily result in exhausting all caching buffers. Many CDs that contain color
icons have hundreds of them that occupy a lot of cache space and require lots of pre-scan-
ning time, especially public domain and clip art collections. By default, these two cach-
ing options are not enabled. Be aware that enabling these options may result in
extremely long pre-scanning times for titles with lots of icons.
System 7 Alias files - Selecting this option copies small alias records to a buffer on the
hard drive and improves Finder access to these files. "Caching Aliased files" consumes a
small amount additional hard disk space.
Continue Caching into Acceleration file after Pre-Cache - If this option is enabled, the
computer will continue to store the most accessed CD-ROM information into the static
CD-ROM ToolKit User Guide