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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
O l s e n ' s R e a l T i m e D i s k M o n i t o r
Version 1.2 -- User's Guide.
Copyright (c) 1992, By Jim Olsen.
All Rights Reserved
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents Page
1 - Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
- 1.1 - Disclaimer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
- 1.2 - Return Policy.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
- 1.3 - The Concept of Shareware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
- 1.4 - The Benefits You Receive From Registering RTDMON. . . . . 2
- 1.5 - How to Register The Real Time Disk Monitor. . . . . . . . 3
- 1.6 - About the Author. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 - Information About RTDMON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
- 2.1 - What's a Real Time Disk Monitor? - Product Overview.. . . 4
- 2.2 - Why you need RTDMON.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
- 2.3 - Some of the uses of RTDMON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
- 2.4 - Technical Notes.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3 - Getting Started.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
- 3.1 - Using RTDMON the First Time.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
4 - RTDMON's Command Line Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
- 4.1 - /? - Display Help Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
- 4.2 - /U - Unload Program.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
- 4.3 - MODE: - Controlling How RTDMON is loaded. . . . . . . . . 8
- 4.3.1 - MODE:1 or TINY - Tiny Box with Drive Letter.. . . . . . 8
- 4.3.2 - MODE:2 or FUNC - Small Box with Function Information. . 8
- 4.3.3 - Mode:3 or VBOX - Vertical Box with Position Info. . . . 9
- 4.3.4 - Mode:4 or HBOX - Horizontal Box with Position Info. . . 9
- 4.3.5 - Mode:5 or NUMB - Horiz. Box with Number of Read/Writes. 10
- 4.3.6 - Mode:6 or TIME - Horiz. Box with Pos. and Timing Info.. 10
- 4.4 - BORDER - Draw a Border around the display.. . . . . . . . 11
- 4.5 - NOBORDER - Do not draw a Border around the display. . . . 11
- 4.6 - SAMPLES - Modify number used to calculate timing avgs.. . 11
- 4.7 - SNAPSHOT - Summary report of disk usage display.. . . . . 12
- 4.8 - RESET - Reset all snapshot figures.. . . . . . . . . . 13
- 4.9 - REGISTER - Information on how to Register RTDMON. . . . . 14
- 4.10 - Other Options Available to Registered Users Only.. . . . 14
5 - Using RTDMON and Optimization Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
- 5.1 - Position of RTDMON in Memory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
- 5.2 - How RTDMON calculates a Single Sector Timing. . . . . . . 15
- 5.3 - Introduction to Disk Optimization.. . . . . . . . . . . . 16
- 5.4 - How to Optimize your Disk Cache and Buffers.. . . . . . . 17
A - Olsen's Order Form. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor --------- User's Guide -------------- Page 2
Chapter 1 - Introduction.
- 1.1 - Disclaimer.
This software and documentation are licensed "as is" without
warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied; including, but not
limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a
particular purpose. Neither I, Jim Olsen, nor any company created by me
do not warrant that Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor will meet your
requirements or that it's operation will be error free or accurate.
In no event will I or a company created by me be liable for incidental,
consequential, indirect, or any other damages arising from the use of or
inability to use this program; even if advised of the possibilities of
such damages. The user of this program bears all risks as to the quality
and performance of the software.
- 1.2 - Return Policy.
Registered users may replace any defective original program disk
for a period of 90 days from registration date. Defective disks must
be returned pre-paid and insured by the sender with a $5.00 shipping and
handling fee enclosed. I do not accept returns or give refunds on the
program registration price.
- 1.3 - The Concept of Shareware.
RTDMON is being distributed as Shareware. It is not FREE or PUBLIC
DOMAIN software. Shareware is a 'try before you buy' concept of software
distribution. It allows you, the user community, to evaluate and try a
software product before deciding to purchase it. Much like a car dealer's
'test drive', you are expected to make a decision as to the worth of the
product. If you plan to use RTDMON over 30 days, you are required to
register it.
- 1.4 - The Benefits you receive from registering RTDMON.
- You are sent a personalized, full-featured RTDMON, which contains
the following enhancements:
- Movable Screen Display. You control screen display location!
- Background and foreground colors are user selectable.
- A non-display Quiet mode is available.
- SnapShot reports can be saved in a file for reference.
- Upgrade notification, as soon as a new release becomes available.
- An Upgrade Certificate, which entitles you to 1 free upgrade (S+H Only).
- Technical Support *By Mail Only* (Will be expanded in the future).
- And MOST Importantly - You will be directly contributing to the creation
of more shareware products. You will be helping yourself obtain more
state of the art software, all at a reasonable cost.
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor --------- User's Guide -------------- Page 3
- 1.5 - How to Register The Real Time Disk Monitor
Registration is very simple, just follow these guidelines:
- Determine the number of PC's which will execute RTDMON.
- Print the file ORDER.FRM. (A copy of order form is in Appendix A).
- Fill out the order form. Remember, if you order for more than 1 PC,
you get a discount!
- Make certain your name is printed carefully on the form.
Registered versions of RTDMON are personalized.
- One Original disk is included in the registration. If you require more
Original disks, indicate it on the order form.
- Both your name, and the number of PC's you are licensing will be included
within your own personalized registered RTDMON.
- Make out a check or money order to: (USA and Canadian Orders ONLY)
Jim Olsen (Software).
PO BOX 1291
Naugatuck, CT. 06770.
- You will be sent a registered version of RTDMON and documentation on disk.
- You also will be entitled to one free upgrade (S+H only) within a year.
- 1.6 - About the Author.
Hi. Thank you for taking the time to evaluate and consider purchase
of my Real Time Disk Monitor. I am a data processing professional dedicated
to creating easy but sophisticated programs and systems, primarily written
in Assembler. I have had a number of years experience developing systems
on mainframe machines. This is my first program for the PC market.
I am also a strong proponent for using Assembler wherever and
whenever possible. It makes sense to get things done as quickly as you can.
Assembler is fast. How fast? On a mainframe, 5 billion instructions can
process in less than 5 seconds in one session. Similarly, those instructions
take 15 seconds on a 386-33 PC. In a multi-tasking environment, that's bang
for the buck! Assembler is what gives RTDMON it's raw power ("MORE POWER").
As you probably noticed from the mailing address, I have not decided
on a company name right now. Neither have I set up a business phone or
BBS yet. These things depend upon the success of this program. As soon as
I know the viability of this program, I plan to create a full fledged
software company (How about Olsen's SuperWare?), and provide a number of
enhancements and new features to RTDMON, as well as setting up a business
phone and a BBS.
I welcome user's comments and suggestions. Please write to me
should you have specific enhancement suggestions. If you would like a
customized version of RTDMON for a specific environment, also write. I
might be available for consulting work in the near future. I want each user
to feel that his or her suggestion is valued, because ideas are the first
step to achieving success.
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor --------- User's Guide -------------- Page 4
- Chapter 2 - Information About RTDMON.
- 2.1 - What's a Real Time Disk Monitor? - Product Overview.
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor is a disk drive activity monitor.
It lets you evaluate the performance of your PC's disk drives. RTDMON gives
you the "when, where, how, and how long" information for each disk drive
access. It lets you 'watch' your disk drives work. Using RTDMON's 'eyes'
you can detect disk problems as they occur.
- 2.2 - Why you need RTDMON.
Of all the devices connected to your PC, few are more important
than your disk drives. But, because they are a mixture of mechanics and
electronics, they are subject to failure more often than other PC devices.
RTDMON is the essential monitor you need to keep an eye out for performance
problems. RTDMON keeps track of the time your disk drives spend gathering
data. If you suspect drive problems, RTDMON's SNAP function displays each
timing measure it has taken, enabling you to compare current timings with
a 'benchmark' timing that you've made at program installation.
Other information, such as disk drive function (read/write display),
are displayed as you use your drive. When you run a program, RTDMON will
let you know exactly what that program is doing with your drives. An
errant program, for example, could format your hard drive while you wait.
NOT with RTDMON installed. You are able to see 'format' in the display
window, and can take the appropriate response required (SHUT OFF MACHINE!).
- 2.3 - Some of the uses of RTDMON.
Here is a list of some of the ways I use RTDMON:
- First and foremost RTDMON prevents me from running my PC 'blind'.
I watch the display each time a program is executed, looking at the
function and timing of each disk access.
- When a I receive a new program, I know I am totally at the mercy of the
hopefully good intentioned programmers. I look CLOSELY at what the
new program is doing with my drives. If I were to ever see "FORMAT"
on a new program that wasn't supposed to format, I'd shut off my machine
instantly. Hopefully, I'd reduce disk damage.
- RTDMON keeps me up to date on how fast my hard drive is running.
Although the timing average tends to fluctuate a bit, if it gets too
high, maybe something's gone wrong. Detailed information is a SNAPshot
away. High averages can be a warning of a impending bad sector, drive,
or worse.
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor --------- User's Guide -------------- Page 5
- 2.3 - Some of the uses of RTDMON (Continued).
- RTDMON keeps me busy while I am doing those endless hard drive backups.
I know exactly how many cylinders are on a diskette, and I can tell
how many cylinders are left to go.
- Software developers can use RTDMON to optimize their disk input/output
routines. You can make sure you are making DOS read as many sectors as
it can.
- I can now get a Real Time Disk Speed Benchmark. Although RTDMON's
timing doesn't directly translate to real seconds, it's been a great
help to me when I configure my system for optimum disk speed.
- Most importantly, I have a little more peace of mind knowing that when
something goes wrong, RTDMON can help me figure it out.
- 2.4 - Technical Notes.
- RTDMON has a modular design. It can be loaded 6 different ways, each
using more system resources and memory. In it's default mode, all
options are enabled. The user can, depending on need 'turn off' an
option by simple command line installation parameters.
- In it's simplest mode (MODE:1), RTDMON uses under 1K of memory. Much
of the program is not loaded, and less internal instructions are
executed. Its maximum memory use in any mode is under 4k.
- Each MODE (6 of them) has a different screen display, thus making it
possible for you to use the mode you like... but... only Mode:6
performs timing analysis.
- RTDMON can support a maximum of 2 floppy and 2 hard disk drives. The hard
drives can be partitioned to a maximum 10 logical drives. RTDMON should
function on systems containing more drives than that; it just won't
recognize the extra drives. As soon as I acquire more equipment these
limitations will be removed.
- RTDMON is fast; it will not noticeable slow down disk drive speed. In
fact, RTDMON's optimizing potential far outweighs its minimal overhead.
- RTDMON's timing Snapshot option can be used while running multitasking
operating systems such as Windows. Please remember to load RTDMON before
starting the operating system.
(Windows is a trademark of Microsoft, Inc.)
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor --------- User's Guide -------------- Page 6
- Chapter 3 - Getting Started.
- 3.1 - Using RTDMON the First Time.
RTDMON is a Terminate and Stay Routine (TSR), meaning it stays
in memory after the program has executed. The current release uses a
maximum of 3.8K, and can be loaded into DOS's High Memory Area.
The steps required to load and use RTDMON are listed below:
- 1 - Make sure you unarchive the "ZIP" file. The disk you received
should contain instructions on how to accomplish this feat. Follow them and
verify you have a file called 'RTDMON.EXE' (this is the program file).
- 2 - Install the program on your hard drive by entering the command
"A:INSTALL". You may have to use B: instead of A:.
- 3 - The installation program is very simple. Simply enter where
you want to store RTDMON on your hard drive system.
- 4 - Now you are ready to test the first execution of RTDMON. Check
that the DOS prompt is pointing to the correct subdirectory you entered
in the install program and type 'RTDMON' (no quotes).
- 5 - The screen should clear and display the opening RTDMON screen.
If your machine 'locks up', you can reboot, and try to load the program
after booting from a floppy disk. System lockups can be either a result of
a conflict with another program, or it's possible that your PC is just not
100% compatible with RTDMON. If RTDMON locks up your PC, please write to
me and let me know exactly what hardware you are using. Perhaps I can
include a fix in a future release.
- 6 - RTDMON is configured to load 'MODE:6' if you do not enter any
command line parameters. It's timing logic is turned on, and it will display
a blue 'bar' of information on the top line of your monitor. Try executing
your favorite program. As long as the screen stays in text mode, RTDMON's
information will display, showing you exactly what's happening with your
disk drives. Most games and other graphic orientated programs do not
display RTDMON's information box. RTDMON continues to monitor your system
in the background.
- 7 - Return to the DOS prompt. Test the 'SNAP' option by typing
'Drive:\path\RTDMON SNAP". A report should be produced on your screen.
It contains the latest timing information available. Snap reports are only
available when RTDMON is loaded with MODE:6 (the normal way of loading).
Later in this documentation, these reports are described, as well as what
to do with the information.
- 8 - If you have the time, test the other loading options of RTDMON.
You do this by unloading the program first (a '/u' command line option),
and then re-loading it with the new option. Options are described in detail
later in this documentation, and can be displayed using the /? option.
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor --------- User's Guide -------------- Page 7
- 3.1 - Using RTDMON the First Time (Continued).
- 9 - Presuming all the major tests went well, you can add the command
"Drive:\path\RTDMON" to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. The information displayed
by RTDMON will vary on some systems depending on the location of the load
command in the autoexec file. If RTDMON is loaded before a disk cache
program, it will display only hardware disk access. If it is loaded after
the disk cache, it can also display disk cache accesses. This difference
is described later in this documentation in the disk optimization chapter.
- 10 - Reboot your machine. RTDMON should flash it's display box on
your monitor each time a disk drive is used.
- 11 - PIF and DVP files are enclosed as samples of how to use
RTDMON's Snapshot function under multitasking operating systems. Please
remember that RTDMON must be loaded before you start any other operating
system.
- 12 - The final step is to take an installation benchmark of your
disk drives. Please refer to the documentation section on Optimization in
chapter 5.
- Chapter 4 - RTDMON's Command Line Parameters
- 4.1 - /? - Display Help Screen.
- You cannot shorten this option.
Example: 'RTDMON /?'
When a /? is used, all other command line options are ignored. RTDMON
displays the available command line options so you do not have to look
them up in this documentation.
- 4.2 - /U - Unload Program
- You cannot shorten this option.
Example: 'RTDMON /?'
When /U is used, RTDMON tries to unload itself from memory. Sometimes
an unload fails. This is because another program has attached itself
underneath RTDMON. If RTDMON displays a failure message and you must
unload it, try unloading some other TSR first. Your only other recourse is
to reboot.
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor --------- User's Guide -------------- Page 8
- 4.3 - MODE: - Controlling How RTDMON is loaded.
- You cannot shorten this option.
Example: 'RTDMON MODE:3'
The MODE command line option controls how RTDMON is loaded. Each MODE
uses a different screen display. Mode numbers range from 1 to 6. I have
included descriptive command line options such as 'tiny' which can be
used instead of the mode: option.
- 4.3.1 - MODE:1 or TINY - Tiny Box with Drive Letter.
- You cannot shorten this option.
Example: 'RTDMON MODE:1' or 'RTDMON TINY'
MODE:1 causes RTDMON to load itself as a very small program. The
display is only 2 characters long. It is displayed in the right top corner
of the screen. This is how the top of the screen would look using MODE:1.
┌------------------------------------------------------------------------┐
| C |
| (Arrow)--| |
└------------------------------------------------------------------------┘
Where - (Up Arrow) - Is the symbol used when disk is reading.
- (Dn Arrow) - Is the symbol used when disk is writing.
- : - Is used to denote other functions, eg. reset, etc. (C:).
- 4.3.2 - MODE:2 or FUNC - Small Box with Function Information.
- You cannot shorten this option.
Example: 'RTDMON MODE:2' or 'RTDMON FUNC'
MODE:2 causes RTDMON to load itself to display just the drive and
the function being executed. A little larger than MODE:1, it uses 1.0K
of memory and creates a 10 character display in the top right corner of
the screen. This is how the top of the screen would look using MODE:2
┌------------------------------------------------------------------------┐
| C:Read |
└------------------------------------------------------------------------┘
Where - Read - Means reading from the disk.
- Write - Means writing to the disk.
- Format - Means formatting the disk.
---------- Etc, Etc.
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor --------- User's Guide -------------- Page 9
- 4.3.3 - Mode:3 or VBOX - Vertical Box with Position Information.
- You cannot shorten this option.
Example: 'RTDMON MODE:3' or 'RTDMON VBOX'
Mode:3 includes Mode 2 operations, but also displays the current
cylinder, side, sector, and number of sectors being read. The display is in
a vertical format 10 characters wide starting at the top right corner of the
screen. This is how the top of the screen would look using MODE:3
┌------------------------------------------------------------------------┐
| C:Read |
| Where - Cylin - Current position (Cylinder) on drive. Cylin: 112 |
| - Side - Current side of the disk. Side: 1 |
| - Sector - Current sector (track) on drive. Sector: 15 |
| - # Sect - Number of concurrent sectors accessed. # Sec: 116 |
└------------------------------------------------------------------------┘
Mode:3 displays the actual position of your disk drive. The position
information is displayed for all MODES greater than 3 also.
- 4.3.4 - Mode:4 or HBOX - Horizontal Box with Position Information.
- You cannot shorten this option.
Example: 'RTDMON MODE:4' or 'RTDMON HBOX'
Mode:4 displays the same information as Mode:3, but horizontally
rather than vertically. 40 characters are displayed on one line on the
top right side of the screen. This is how the screen looks using MODE:4.
┌------------------------------------------------------------------------┐
| C:Read Cyl: 12 Side: 1 Sec: 13 #Sc: 5|
| |
└------------------------------------------------------------------------┘
Where - Cyl, Side, Sec, and #Sc - See Mode:3 for definition.
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor --------- User's Guide -------------- Page 10
- 4.3.5 - Mode:5 or NUMB - Horiz. Box with Number of Read/Writes.
- You cannot shorten this option.
Example: 'RTDMON MODE:5' or 'RTDMON NUMB'
Mode:5 includes information from Mode:4, and adds to the display a
counter of the total number of reads and writes, in an 80 byte horizontal
display. The read/write counter is cumulative, a sum total of all
reads/writes from all drives. No other mode keeps an accumulating total;
You must use MODE:5 to obtain this figure. Mode:5 also displays the current
area of the disk you are accessing. It shows you if disk is on the File area
or FAT area. Here's how the screen looks using MODE:5.
┌------------------------------------------------------------------------┐
|C:Read Area:FAT #R:000000123 #W:000000020 Cyl: 0 Side:1 Sec:4 #Sc: 5 |
| |
└------------------------------------------------------------------------┘
Where - Cyl, Side, Sec, and #Sc - See Mode:3 for definition.
- Area - Whether the File or Fat area of the disk.
- File area are the locations were files are stored.
- FAT area stands for File Allocation Table, This area
stores sector allocation information.
- #R - Accumulated number of reads for all drives.
- #W - Accumulated number of writes for all drives.
- 4.3.6 - Mode:6 or TIME - Horiz. Box with Position and Timing Info.
- You cannot shorten this option.
Example: 'RTDMON MODE:6' or 'RTDMON TIME' or 'RTDMON ' (default load)
Mode:6 unlocks all of the advanced features of RTDMON. Loading
RTDMON without any command line option automatically sets the mode to 6.
Also, command line options: RESET, SNAP, and SAMPLES are unavailable
unless RTDMON is in mode:6.
Mode:6 features timing displays. Timings are categorized as follows:
First, a SINGLE timing result. This number is not an actual clock speed
of how fast a disk access occurred. Rather, the actual clock speed is
divided by the number of sectors to obtain a Single Sector Timing.
Second, the number of SAMPLES are displayed. This sample number is used
to control the AVERAGE display, which is the third timing display. Please
refer to the OPTIMIZATION chapter for more information about timing.
Mode:6's screen display looks something like this:
┌------------------------------------------------------------------------┐
|C:Read Avg: 358 #Smpls:1024 Single: 115 Cyl: 0 Side:1 Sec:4 #Sc: 5 |
| |
└------------------------------------------------------------------------┘
Where - Cyl, Side, Sec, and #Sc - See Mode:3 for definition.
- Single - A single disk access time divided by # Sectors.
Results in Individual Sector Time.
- # Smpls - Increments until it reaches 1024. Used to calc average.
- Average - Accumulated Single timings divided by # Samples.
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor --------- User's Guide -------------- Page 11
- 4.4 - BORDER - Draw a Border around the display.
- The Short Form for this option is: BOR.
Example: 'RTDMON BORDER'
Using the BORDER command line option modifies RTDMON's display so
that a single line is drawn around the screen. The screen display position
is lowered one line to make room for the border. Border is only available
in modes 3, 4, 5, and 6.
RTDMON normally displays it's information something like this, with
no border around the display:
C:Read Avg: 358 #Smpls:1024 Single: 115 Cyl: 0 Side:1 Sec:4 #Sc: 5
Using the BORDER option creates a display that looks like this:
┌------------------------------------------------------------------------┐
|C:Read Avg: 358 #Smpls:1024 Single: 115 Cyl: 0 Side:1 Sec:4 #Sc: 5 |
└------------------------------------------------------------------------┘
Personally, I do not use the border option. It tends to clutter the
screen. It has been included to provide for a wider range of tastes.
- 4.5 - NOBORDER - Do not draw a Border around the display.
- The Short Form for this option is NOBOR.
Example: 'RTDMON NOBORDER' or 'RTDMON ' (Normally without border)
Option NOBORDER turns the display border off. Noborder is the normal
default way that RTDMON loads. You need not use it. It has been provided
as an easy way to keep track of RTDMON's load options.
- 4.6 - SAMPLES: - Modify number used to calculate timing averages.
- The Short Form for this option is: SAM:.
- Available in MODE:6 only.
Example: 'RTDMON SAMPLES:8096'
The SAMPLES option is another program customization option, available
only when RTDMON is in it's TIMING mode (MODE:6). By modifying the SAMPLE
cutoff, you can take greater control of the averaging function. INCREASING
the sample number will tend to make the average number displayed more
stationary. As the sample total is reached, RTDMON's average will be less
likely to change due to a high single sector time. On the other hand,
DECREASING the sample number will make RTDMON's average more volatile,
because fewer single samples are being averaged together.
The SAMPLES option only affects the average display number. You may
use a number from 256 to 8192 in the Shareware Version. Registered users
have a greater range of numbers to choose from.
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor --------- User's Guide -------------- Page 12
- 4.7 - SNAPSHOT - Summary report of disk usage displayed on Screen.
- The Short Form for this option is: SN.
- Available in MODE:6 only.
Example: 'RTDMON SNAPSHOT'
The SNAPSHOT option is used to display on the screen historical timing
information gathered internally by RTDMON. Needless to say, RTDMON must
first be installed in memory before this information is accessed,
classifying snapshot as a 'Communication' type of option. The snapshot
option can be printed using the print screen key.
A similar option, REPORT, has been added to the Registered Version.
Report allows the user to save snapshot information to a file on disk,
so that it can be easily referred to in the future. Report is NOT included
in the Shareware version because a 30 day evaluation period excludes the
need for such permanent storage.
Snapshot creates and categorizes a number of interesting statistics
about the performance of your drives. It can be used to tune-up the
performance of your system. Here's how the snapshot display looks, and
what the statistics mean: (See Optimization for more detail).
--------------------------- Page 1 of Snapshot ----------------------------
06/11/92 T i m i n g S n a p s h o t R e p o r t 11:38:30
-----┬-------┬----------┬----------┬-----------┬--------┬----------┬-------
Drv | Avg | Rate | Latest | Highest | Num | Lowest | Num
-----┼-------┼----------┼----------┼-----------┼--------┼----------┼-------
A: | 6958 | 49 | 8086 | 45816 | 1 | 552 | 2
-----┼-------┼----------┼----------┼-----------┼--------┼----------┼-------
C: | 470 | 189 | 161 | 8024 | 1 | 8 | 5
-----┼-------┼----------┼----------┼-----------┼--------┼----------┼-------
D: | 423 | 14 | 273 | 2504 | 1 | 24 | 3
-----┼-------┼----------┼----------┼-----------┼--------┼----------┼-------
E: | 208 | 38 | 122 | 824 | 1 | 8 | 2
-----┴-------┴----------┴----------┴-----------┴--------┴----------┴-------
- Where - Drv - Statistics for each drive are listed.
- Avg - This is the latest timing average available.
- Rate - These are the number of samples taken to obtain average.
- Latest - This is the latest single sector timing.
- Highest - Highest single timing found, rounded off so that it is
- within 16 of the actual highest single time.
- Num - Number of occurrences of the highest single time.
- Lowest - Lowest single timing found, rounded off so that it is
- within 16 of the actual lowest single time.
- Num - Number of occurrences of the lowest single time.
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor --------- User's Guide -------------- Page 13
- 4.7 - SNAPSHOT - Summary report of disk usage displayed on Screen.
(Continued).
------------------------ Page 2 of Snapshot -------------------------------
06/11/92 D e t a i l e d I n d i v i d u a l T i m i n g s 11:38:30
--┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬------------
|Under| 12- | 25- | 49- |100- |200- |500- |1000-|3000-|Over | Total
Dv| 12 | 24 | 49 | 99 | 199 | 499 | 999 | 2999| 7000| 7000| Occurrences
--┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼------------
A:| 0| 0| 0| 0| 0| 0| 10| 18| 5| 16| 49
| 0%| 0%| 0%| 0%| 0%| 0%| 20%| 36%| 10%| 32%| 98%
--┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼------------
C:| 4| 6| 6| 24| 30| 91| 13| 9| 5| 1| 189
| 2%| 3%| 3%| 12%| 15%| 48%| 6%| 4%| 2%| 0%| 95%
--┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼------------
D:| 0| 3| 0| 0| 0| 9| 1| 1| 0| 0| 14
| 0%| 21%| 0%| 0%| 0%| 64%| 7%| 7%| 0%| 0%| 99%
--┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼------------
E:| 0| 6| 0| 3| 10| 17| 2| 0| 0| 0| 38
| 0%| 15%| 0%| 7%| 26%| 44%| 5%| 0%| 0%| 0%| 97%
--┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴------------
- This display is a breakdown of each single sector timing occurrence.
- The numbers at the top of the display starting with 'under 12' are the
single sector display ranges. For example, if a single sector time was
112, it would be located in the 100-199 range.
- The numbers to the right of the drive letter are the number of occurrences
for that range. These are individually displayed by drive letter.
- The percentages below the occurrences are displayed to give you a better
understanding of what time group has been most active.
- The totals to the right of the drive are a cumulative total of all disk
activity for that drive. This total is NOT dependant upon the sample rate.
Totals are not reset until they reach 65,000. When that occurs, both
the total and each group are reset to zero for that drive.
- The percentage under the totals is the total of percentages for each
group. Percentages will not often equal 100 because fractions are ignored
as each group percentage is calculated.
- 4.8 - RESET - Reset all snapshot figures.
- The Short Form for this option is: RES.
- Available in MODE:6 only.
Example: 'RTDMON RESET'
The RESET option has been included so that you may perform benchmarks
without having to reload RTDMON. RTDMON must first be loaded before RESET
can be used. Reset will zero out all timing statistics, including resetting
the sample rate to zero.
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor --------- User's Guide -------------- Page 14
- 4.9 - REGISTER - Information on how to Register RTDMON.
- The Short Form for this option is: REG.
Example: 'RTDMON REGISTER'
The REGISTER option can be used at any time to find out how to
register RTDMON. Please refer to Appendix A of this Documentation or
to file 'ORDER.FRM' for an order form.
- 4.10 - Other Options Available to Registered Users Only.
The following list of options will be available to you once you
register and receive the registered version of RTDMON. I have omitted
these options from the Shareware version because they are not needed for
a 30 day evaluation period. I also want to encourage users to register,
which is the only way I can continue to support this product.
- REPORT - Mentioned before, this allows you to save the snapshot display
to disk. RTDMON adds newer reports to the end of a report file.
- QUIET - Allows the user to suppress the on-screen display for mode:6.
- BCOLOR - You can customize the background color. 8 colors available.
- FCOLOR - Customize the foreground (character) color. 16 colors available.
- COL - Change screen column location of display (left/right location).
- ROW - Change screen row location of display (up/down location).
- TOP - Places display on top row of screen.
- BOTTOM - Places display on last row of screen.
- LEFT - Places display on first column of screen.
- RIGHT - Places display on last column of screen.
- Chapter 5 - Using RTDMON and Optimization Tips.
This chapter deals with various topics surrounding how you can use
RTDMON to improve your system's performance. Please bear in mind, some of
this information may be totally incorrect when used with your equipment
configuration; it is only provided for a guideline for users who wish
to fully exploit RTDMON's capabilities.
Also, please be aware, most of the procedures are totally manually
controlled. I have plans to incorporate automation into RTDMON in the
future, depending upon user demand.
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor --------- User's Guide -------------- Page 15
- 5.1 - Position of RTDMON in Memory.
When RTDMON is loaded into memory, it intercepts disk drive access.
In certain instances, RTDMON will react differently depending upon load
order. Generally, when loaded as the last program in memory, RTDMON will
monitor SOFTWARE disk accesses. This means that you might receive timings
from your disk cache, as well as from the actual drive, when RTDMON is
loaded as the last program in memory. When RTDMON is loaded before the
cache or other software disk program, RTDMON should only report actual
hardware disk access.
What this means is, if you are going to use RTDMON for performance
tuning, you must concern yourself with two variables. Both the speed of
the single sector timing, and the total number of disk accesses are
important and must be considered together.
For example, suppose you load RTDMON last, as I do. When I was
testing it, I had a shareware cache installed. I wanted to see more than
50% of all disk accesses were in the 'under 12' category. That gave me
a sense that my machine was performing well. Later, I installed another
cache. Although I could tell this new cache made my drive access quicker,
this cache did not allow RTDMON to report on it's activity. Almost none
of the timings were in the 'under 12' category. However, the total number
of disk accesses were reduced 70%, and the higher time category,
(3000-6999), was empty. The prior cache had 3 high time hits out of a
total of 190!
You must be aware of these variables before using RTDMON to tune you
disk drive performance.
- 5.2 - How RTDMON calculates a Single Sector Timing.
Before proceeding, I want you to understand that a single sector
timing is NOT the actual time spent during a disk read or write. It IS
a calculated figure, based on the actual time, divided by the number of
sectors of disk access. Therefore, a very low timing number could in actual
wall clock time be much higher. For example, say RTDMON reported 40 for
an individual time, while it was reading 128 sectors. The actual time
spent getting that data is 40*128=4960. But 4960 is totally meaningless
when comparing the time it took to access a certain amount of data, because
that amount can vary greatly.
This means that a drive can achieve a much lower number if the PC
accesses data in multiple, large segments. This also means that disk
timing numbers jump around a great deal. For instance, if you let your
hard drive become excessively fragmented, it can greatly increase the
individual timings reported by RTDMON.
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor --------- User's Guide -------------- Page 16
- 5.3 - Introduction to Disk Optimization.
The disk drive has the distinction of being the one device on a PC
whose speed is hardly ever constant. The only one that requires human
intervention to insure it is running at peak performance levels. To stay
within the scope of this user's guide, I will just touch on some of the
ways a user can ensure peak drive performance.
Regular disk defragmentation is one of the ways you can be sure your
disk drives are operating fast. These disk defragmentation programs work
by reorganizing your disk so that all files are contained in consecutive
sectors. Disk defragmentation should be performed on a regular basis.
Watching RTDMON's # SEC: display can alert you to this problem. If the
number of sectors is consistantly low, you probably have to defragment
the drive.
The disk drive hardware itself can cause problems in performance. Many
drives, as they age, can have a harder time reading and writing certain
areas of the disk. Since the disk is programed to retry a read/write
sequence a certain number of times, you may not be aware of a marginal bad
disk sector. RTDMON's Snap Option can show you a potential problem. On hard
drives, any disk access in 'over 7000' category might possibly mean you
have a marginal disk sector. Correct this problem by using a disk
calibration tool.
Finally, one of the most important ways you can optimize your drives
is by using a disk cache, and making sure the BUFFER number in CONFIG.SYS
is correct. But, since there are a number of disk cache's on the market,
and, few of them are set up to run with your exact requirements, I think
it's important you take the time to evaluate the cache.
In the next chapter, I will show you how to use RTDMON as a disk cache
and buffer optimization tool. I am NOT going to refer to brand names of
any one specific cache, because if I did, I might be recommending one
product over another unfairly.
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor --------- User's Guide -------------- Page 17
- 5.4 - How to Optimize your Disk Cache and Buffers.
Please realize that this set of procedures may be incorrect. Use your
own judgement as to the worth of performing these steps.
Before listing the steps required to process a disk cache and buffer
analysis, first make sure RTDMON is running without problems on your system,
and make sure it is loaded in MODE:6, which is the only mode that performs
timings.
- 1 - Begin by determining what sequence of events you will be using for
obtaining RTDMON's timing figures. A number of systems perform
various tasks during startup, such as starting a graphic based
operating system, checking for viruses, or mirroring the disk
contents. If at all possible, you should perform at least one of
these tasks when performing this test.
- 2 - Having decided on what programs you will be executing for the test,
remove any auto loaded disk cache and RTDMON from your AUTOEXEC.BAT
or CONFIG.SYS files.
- 3 - Load RTDMON manually into your system. The first set of tests should
be performed with RTDMON loaded before any cache. A second set of
tests can be performed later, with RTDMON loaded after the cache.
- 4 - Perform the first test without any cache installed as follows:
EACH TEST REQUIRES THESE STEPS:
1 - Use RTDMON's RESET command line option to reset it's total.
2 - Run the sequence of testing programs you previously chose.
3 - Use RTDMON's SNAP option. Record the 2nd page figures, where
individual timings are categorized.
- 5 - My results of this test, with comments follow.
*** Results of Snap without cache installed ****
--┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬------------
|Under| 12- | 25- | 49- |100- |200- |500- |1000-|3000-|Over | Total
Dv| 12 | 24 | 49 | 99 | 199 | 499 | 999 | 2999| 7000| 7000| Occurrences
--┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼------------
C:| 0| 0| 2| 2| 68| 50| 6| 55| 11| 0| 194
| 0%| 0%| 1%| 1%| 35%| 25%| 3%| 28%| 5%| 0%| 98%
--┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴------------
Comments - The total occurrences should be noted, as well as the 66
occurrences in the '1000-2999' and '3000-7000' categories, and
the lack of occurrences in the under 99 categories.
- 6 - Now install your cache and retest. Follow the steps labeled 'EACH
TEST REQUIRES THESE STEPS:'.
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor --------- User's Guide -------------- Page 18
- 5.3 - How to Optimize your Disk Cache and Buffers (Continued).
- 7 - My results of this test, with cache #1 installed follows:
--┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬------------
|Under| 12- | 25- | 49- |100- |200- |500- |1000-|3000-|Over | Total
Dv| 12 | 24 | 49 | 99 | 199 | 499 | 999 | 2999| 7000| 7000| Occurrences
--┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼------------
C:| 0| 1| 0| 4| 19| 8| 0| 2| 2| 0| 36
| 0%| 2%| 0%| 11%| 52%| 22%| 0%| 5%| 5%| 0%| 97%
--┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴------------
- Comments - Notice the lower total occurrences. This cache lowered disk
drive use by 80%.
- There are still 4 occurrences in the categories over 1000. Let's
try to reduce them.
- 8 - Before proceeding with another test, you should reboot your machine.
All disk caches retain part of what they previously read. Rebooting
will eliminate the cache from memory.
- 9 - Now either load a different cache, or change the current cache by
increasing or decreasing it's memory allocations. Look at the cache
documentation. Most have many command line options you can use to
customize.
- 10 - Rerun a test with the forementioned TEST STEPS.
- 11 - When I ran the test, I used a different cache, with the results as
follows:
--┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬-----┬------------
|Under| 12- | 25- | 49- |100- |200- |500- |1000-|3000-|Over | Total
Dv| 12 | 24 | 49 | 99 | 199 | 499 | 999 | 2999| 7000| 7000| Occurrences
--┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼-----┼------------
C:| 0| 2| 2| 1| 11| 15| 0| 2| 1| 0| 34
| 0%| 5%| 5%| 2%| 32%| 45%| 0%| 5%| 2%| 0%| 95%
--┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴-----┴------------
- Comments - Notice this cache produces 2 less disk reads, has 1 less
high timing (perhaps because it reblocked a disk read), and
has a few higher numbers in the lower timing categories.
- Based on the information in these tests, I would add the
2nd cache to my AUTOEXEC.BAT.
- 12 - Run these tests as often as you want, making sure you select the
cache setup with the fewest occurances. You may then test how
the buffers= statement runs along with your cache by modifying the
buffers number and reruning the test.
The above procedures are just a sampling of the way that RTDMON
can improve your system's performance.
Olsen's Real Time Disk Monitor --------- User's Guide -------------- Page 19
- A - Appendix - Another copy of the order form!
__________________________________________________________________________
| |
| O l s e n ' s O r d e r F o r m |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
| YES! I want to register and receive the registered version of Olsen's |
| Real Time Disk Monitor! |
| |
| Carefully Print You or Your Company's Name For Registration Below: |
| |
| ___________________________________________________________________ | |
| (Please Print Clearly. This Name will be Displayed in Your Program) |
| |
| Enter Your Shipping Information: Telephone: (____) - ______ - _______ |
| |
| Ship To: ___________________________________________________________ |
| |
| Address: ___________________________________________________________ |
| |
| City: ___________________________ State: __________ Zip: ________ |
| |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------| |
| |
| Please send me 1 Original Program Disk in this Format: ______________ |
| (Enter 3 1/2 or 5 1/4) |
| |
| I will be executing the program on the following # of PC's __________ |
| (Quantity) |
| Quantity Prices |
| ---------------------- |
| 1 = $20.00 Each PC costs $ __________ |
| 2 - 9 = $15.00 (Write in Quantity Price from Chart) |
| 10 - 49 = $12.00 |
| 50 - 99 = $10.00 |
| 100 - 199 = $ 8.00 |
| 200 - 499 = $ 6.00 Totaling $ __________ |
| 500 - 999 = $ 5.00 (Multiply Quantity Times Price) |
| Over 1000 = $ 4.00 |
| |
| I also need __________ Extra RTDMON Program Disks |
| (Quantity) They cost $5.00 each Totaling $ _________ | |
| (Multiply Quantity Extra Disks Times $5.00) |
| |
| Add $5.00 Shipping/Handling Charge (If order under $75.00) $ 5.00 |
| |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
| Sub-Total of Order $ _________ |
| (Add Both Totals plus S/H) |
| |
| CT residents must add 6% Sales Tax $ _________ |
| |
| Final Total of Order $ _________ |
| |
| ------- Send Check or Money Order To ----------------------------------|
| |
| Jim Olsen (Software) |
| PO Box 1291 |
| Naugatuck, CT. O6770 |
|________________________________________________________________________|