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.