RamDisk+ is a system INIT that allows you to set aside some portion of the memory inside of your Macintosh computer and use it as though it were a file storage device such as a floppy disk or a SCSI hard disk.
The reason for using such a mechanism is to gain the very high speed file access that a RAMdisk affords you, or simply to have more on line storage. For those users without a hard disk, the speed gained over a floppy disk is dramatic, and for those who have only on floppy disk drive, the use of a RAMdisk is almost essential.
RamDisk+ has been written to automate as much as possible the start up of the Macintosh when an internal RAM disk is desired. All controls of the program are remembered, so that once set, the INIT will run quickly each time you start your Macintosh with no user interaction required.
PRINCIPAL FEATURES:
• Automatically creates a RAM disk volume and copies over files and folders.
• Automatic copy back of modified/new files to the startup volume.
• Compatible with System 7, System 6, and MultiFinder.
• Will recognize up to 128 Megabytes of memory even when the Finder only recognizes 8 Megs.
• Optionally switches control to the RAM disk and ejects the startup floppy.
• MultiFinder may be automatically started when the INIT's functions are complete.
• Optionally installs a "Crash Saver" to continue from BOMBs.
• Works with HFS file systems on Mac 512E, Mac Plus, Mac SE, Mac II, etc.
STARTUP:
Place a copy of the RamDisk+ INIT in the System Folder of your startup volume. Using the Control Panel under the Apple menu, you may now select the RamDisk+ options. The principal functions of the INIT may easily be turned on and off using the check boxes in the control panel. Please be sure to read through the Help information available in the text area. After you have completed all you specifications, you need to Restart the Mac to get the options installed.
• If you select the "Create RAMdisk" option, you will need the use the "Options…" button to set the size, name, and ICON for your RAMdisk. Additional Help is available for the features within the Options dialog.
• If you select the "Copy to RAMdisk" option, you will need to use the "Selections…" button to indicate the particular files and folders that you wish copied. Simply select the desired file or folder and specify "Include". You may double click on a folder to see its contents. If a folder is selected, then each file or folder within that folder will be selected. You may choose any such selected item and "Exclude" it so that this item is not copied. Additional Help is available for the features within the Selections dialog.
• If you select the "Copy back RAMdisk" option, then modified/new files are automatically copied back from the RAMdisk to the startup volume. This newest feature is intended primarily for users starting from hard drives. If you hold down the Option key as you select "Selections", you may specify the timing used to copy back your modified files. This feature is only available to registered users.
• You may use the "Test…" button to run memory diagnostics on the RAM memory that you have set aside for the RAMdisk. Additional Help is available for the features within the Test dialog.
RamDisk+ is capable of recognizing up to 128 Megabytes of memory. If you are running System 6 or System 7 in 24 bit mode, you may make use of the memory above 8 Megabytes by creating a RAMdisk. If you have 32 Megs of memory, for example, you may create a 24 Meg RAMdisk and still have the full 8 Megs for the Finder. If you desire, you may decrease the amount of memory available for the Finder in order to have an even larger RAMdisk.
RamDisk+ can copy any updated or new files back to their original volume. This allows you to safely copy and edit source document on the RAMdisk.
For those familiar with earlier versions of RamDisk+, you will notice that the program has been changed from an application to an init. This was done in order to create a RAMdisk while running System 7. For some operations, operations may seem more awkward, while others may seem easier. Overall, I think you should find this new init an improvement the earlier application.
• Hint: If you are running from a hard drive and running System 6 with MultiFinder or System 7, you might try simply copying over the System and Finder (and MultiFinder) files from within the System Folder. Do NOT set the option to switch to RAMdisk. In this case, the System Folder on your boot volume will continue to be the active volume, however access to the System and Finder files will actually access the RAMdisk copies of these files. This gives you the principal speed enhancement without copying all the other contents of the system folder.
• MultiFinder: If you choose to Startup under MultiFinder, copy the System Folder, and switch launch, then you should be sure to copy the MODIFIED version of Apple's Backgrounder file onto your startup disk. The modified copy of this file is located inside the System Folder on the diskette provided to each registered user. This file is required for background operations, and will properly recognize the new location of the System Folder on your RAMdisk.
• Printing under System 7: If you choose to switch launch under System 7, you will have to manually go to the Chooser control panel and select the appropriate print driver. If you do not do this, the print spooler will continue to attempt to access the startup volume, not the current System Folder. Sorry for this inconvenience.
FEES:
This is a ShareWare program. As such you are free to use/copy, and pass on copies to your friends and neighbors. If you find yourself using the program for more than simple evaluation of its capabilities, you are requested to register as a user of the program. You may either send a $35 check or money order to this author, or call in and charge it on VISA or MasterCard. You will receive back a disk with the latest version or the program, a manual on the use of RamDisk+, a copy of the Backgrounder file for printing under MultiFinder, access to the "copy back" feature, and instructions for avoiding the ShareWare dialog that is displayed during program execution.
