SanDisk Ready Cache™ SSD FAQs
Q: What is SanDisk ReadyCache SSD?
The SanDisk ReadyCache SSD resides alongside a desktop computer’s hard disk drive and is compatible with desktop systems running the Windows 7 operating system. When paired with the downloadable ExpressCache™ software by Condusiv Technologies Corporation, the software’s advanced caching algorithms automatically manage data by caching frequently used files to improve overall storage performance.
Q: How much is performance improved by using SanDisk ReadyCache SSD?
The SanDisk ReadyCache solution enables up to four times faster performance than a stand-alone hard drive. It can boost a computer’s boot, shutdown and application launch times, allowing consumers to enjoy a more responsive computing experience while utilizing their existing hard drive’s storage.
Q: How does the SanDisk ReadyCache SSD compare to SanDisk’s other retail SSDs?
The SanDisk ReadyCache SSD is an “add-on” SSD coupled with ExpressCache software to create a caching solution that allows consumers to boost their desktop computer’s performance without replacing their hard drive.
Q: Which kind of software/controller does SanDisk ReadyCache product use?
The SanDisk ReadyCache SSD is a combination of SanDisk solid state drive technology and advanced ExpressCache caching software from Condusiv Technologies. SanDisk and Condusiv have formed a strategic relationship to supply optimized caching solutions for the PC market.
Q: What kind of algorithm does SanDisk ReadyCache SSD use?
The ExpressCache software uses an advanced read caching algorithm to ensure that the data your system needs the most is stored on your SanDisk ReadyCache SSD. This greatly improves the responsiveness of your system.
Q: Which “commonly used files” does the SanDisk ReadyCache SSD automatically cache?
This is greatly dependent on the pattern of the individual system usage. The software combines both a knowledge of key OS files and data structures with an algorithm that actually learns how a user interacts with the PC and stores the data most frequently needed on the highly responsive SSD.
Q: How difficult is it to install SanDisk ReadyCache drives?
No, the drive is easy to install. Consumers don’t need to replace their hard drive or clone their operating system.
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Open your desktop computer’s case by unscrewing the side panel
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Attach the SanDisk ReadyCache SSD to the computer’s motherboard SATA connector via a standard SATA cable
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Replace the side panel on your computer and install the ExpressCache software, then reboot the system three times. Rebooting three times will ensure that the ExpressCache software “learns” and caches the boot sequence.
Q: How many times can the ExpressCache software be activated?
The ExpressCache software can be activated on up to 3 PC’s using the same activation code and SanDisk ReadyCache SSD. The ExpressCache software will only work on a PC that has a SanDisk SanDisk ReadyCache SSD installed. You can reinstall on the same computer an unlimited number of times.
Q: Does the SanDisk ReadyCache SSD package include everything I need to install the drive? Do I need to purchase any additional components or cables?
A SATA cable is included to connect the SanDisk ReadyCache SSD to the motherboard. Your system must have a 3.5” drive bay. You will use the adapter that is provided to secure the 2.5” SanDisk ReadyCache SSD to the computer. Instructions for downloading and installing the ExpressCache software from SanDisk’s website are included in the box.
Q: Does ExpressCache software work on all storage configuration modes?
ExpressCache software supports common storage configuration modes, such as Legacy, IDE and AHCI.
Q: Can ExpressCache software work when connecting SanDisk ReadyCache SSD to USB adapter?
No. ExpressCache software will not work on removable media.
Q: Can ExpressCache software work with other SanDisk SSDs?
No. ExpressCache software will only work on the SanDisk ReadyCache SSD.
Q: Will ExpressCache software work in a SSD plus SSD environment?
No, ExpressCache software is designed to work in the hybrid mode environment only (HDD OS boot drive + SanDisk ReadyCache SSD). The software uses the SanDisk ReadyCache SSD to cache data from the HDD. The speed of the SSD provides overall system performance improvements as you are now able to access commonly used files more quickly.
Q: Why does ExpressCache software display “Valid SSD not detected” error message when the SanDisk ReadyCache SSD is connected to a SATA port on my machine?
The “Valid SSD not detected” error message is displayed if the software cannot detect the SanDisk ReadyCache SSD. You can follow the below actions to correct this:
- Check your SATA and power cables to make sure they are connected.
- Check Disk drives from Device Manager to see if you can find “SanDisk SDSSDRC032G ATA Device”
- Exit the ExpressCache software from the ExpressCache system tray icon and launch it again. The ExpressCache software will take some time to recognize the SanDisk ReadyCache drive.
- Check your system BIOS settings to make sure that SATA port which connects with SanDisk ReadyCache SSD is not turned off. (Some systems turn off some SATA ports by default)
Q: How can I verify that ExpressCache software is functioning?
There are two methods to check if ExpressCache software is functioning.
- Launch the application and check the caching status. The status shows “Caching…” and the used portion of Cache size is increasing.
- Launch the application and click on “?” menu to select “Cache Monitor”. The Cache Read value in the chart indicates the number of megabytes read from the SanDisk ReadyCache SSD since the last system boot. This value will change dynamically when there is system activity.
Q: Can I install ExpressCache software without connecting a SanDisk ReadyCache SSD?
No. ExpressCache software will only work on SanDisk ReadyCache SSD. You must connect the SanDisk ReadyCache SSD in order to install ExpressCache software.
Q: What does the Cache Monitor chart show in ExpressCache software?
The cache monitor chart indicates the cumulative megabytes read since the last system boot.
It is refreshed automatically every 1/5th of a second.
- The orange line shows the System Read: The cumulative megabytes read from all system hard drives and SSDs since the last system boot.
- The blue line shows the Cache Read: The cumulative megabytes read from the SanDisk ReadyCache SSD since the last system boot.
Q: Why is the Cache Monitor menu grayed out?
The Cache Monitor menu is grayed out if the caching is disabled. You can manually unselect “Enable Cache” checkbox to disable caching. If you do not activate the ExpressCache software within 30 days, then the caching will automatically be disabled. You must enter your activation code to re-enable the ExpressCache software.
Q: What will happen if I format the SanDisk ReadyCache drive and use it as regular data drive?
If the entire SanDisk ReadyCache SSD is formatted using Microsoft disk manager, then ExpressCache software will not work on this drive. If you launch the ExpressCache software, it will pop up a message “A partition already exists on this drive. In order to use it as a SanDisk ReadyCache drive, you need to delete the current partition and run this application again.” Please make sure that you copy all your data to a safe location before you delete the current partition. After you delete the partition, you need to exit the application from system tray icon and re-launch it. If you create a partition that is smaller than the entire SanDisk ReadyCache SSD capacity, then ExpressCache software will use the remaining space for its caching.
Q: Why does the used portion of cache increase after un-checking the “Enable Caching” button?
Unchecking “Enable Caching” doesn’t disable the caching engine. It only prevents reading from the SanDisk ReadyCache SSD. The caching engine continues to cache data to the SanDisk ReadyCache SSD, which is why you see the used portion increasing.
Q: Why is the Cache Read value very low at the beginning and then it increases a few hours later?
It will take time for ExpressCache software to monitor data access and cache the most frequently used data. At the beginning, you will see a small amount of Cache Read because limited data are cached in the SanDisk ReadyCache SSD. A few hours later, more frequently used data are cached in the SanDisk ReadyCache drive, you will see the Cache Read value increasing which indicates performance improvement.
Q: I get the message “Do you want to allow this application to make changes to this computer?” when I launch ExpressCache. Is this normal?
Yes. This is a message from Windows Access Control and is normal if you have your security setting on medium or high. The ExpressCache application does interact with your system for the caching function.
Q: How can I verify that ExpressCache is functioning?
There are two methods to check if ExpressCache is functioning:
1) Launch the application and check the caching status. The status shows “Caching…” and the used portion of Cache size will increase as you start using more applications.
2) Launch the application and click on the “?” menu to select “Cache Monitor”. The Cache Read value in the chart indicates the number of megabytes read from the ReadyCache SSD since the last system boot. This value will change dynamically when there is activity reading from the SanDisk ReadyCache SSD.
Q: ExpressCache interface still says ‘Caching…’ and the Space Used green bar is not full. How long will it take to finish Caching?
ExpressCache engine will always be running. This is a continual process as the engine monitors your activity to update items to add into the cache.
The Space Used green bar indicates how much of the SanDisk ReadyCache drive is filled. This is not a cache process complete progress bar, as the process will always be running. It shows the amount of space used on the SanDisk ReadyCache drive.