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General discussion

help with prefetch

Feb 3, 2004 5:58PM PST

I've noticed the last day or two in C:\Windows\Prefetch that there hasn't been anything in the folder.The folder is in C: WINDOWS. I've disabled it in registry, rebooted, and then reenabled it, and there still is nothing in the folder. Is this something to worry about? Can I fix this? Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Re:help with prefetch
Feb 3, 2004 8:30PM PST

Be sure not to rely on EXPLORER when looking in that folder. Use a command prompt, DIR /A to be sure.

EXPLORER can be set to hide things.

Bob

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Prefetch?
Feb 3, 2004 9:42PM PST

1. WinXP monitors files used when the computer starts and when an application is started that is called Prefetching, a process whereby:

a. data that is expected to be requested is read ahead into the cache and decreases the time needed for process.
b. files prefetched are located next to each other on the outer edge of the disk.
c. optimization occurs in the background and lasts only a minute or two, and after the initial optimization takes place, subsequent optimization occurs, at most, every three days when you might notice the hard disk being accessed when optimization occurs.

2. The syntax is as follows. The work is done in the background asynchronously where the API is synchronous, so it wont return until the idle tasks have completed . It can take 10 to 15 minutes for idle tasks to complete. Task Manager will report processes running, and the disk will likely be active, [Benchmarking on Windows XP].

Click Start,Run, type rundll32 advapi32,ProcessIdleTasks, and then press Enter.

3. Please read through the paragraph titled "Prefetch" in the TechNet Library. (After accessing this Web page, click Edit, Find, type prefetch, and then press Enter). Also read through, Kernel Enhancements for Windows XP.

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Re:help with prefetch
Feb 4, 2004 3:22PM PST

I have the prefetch folder filling up with items now. I had task scheduler disabled. I reset it to auto and voila! it's back to normal.