RAM Disk Support in Windows NT

 Last reviewed: April 29, 1996
Article ID: Q126381
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5

SUMMARY

Although Windows NT does not include a RAM disk device driver, a shareware RAM disk device driver is available on CompuServe.

The shareware RAM disk device driver is in the Win NT Utils/Apps section (14) of the Windows Shareware Forum (Go Winshare) on CompuServe. The file name is RAMDIS.ZIP.

MORE INFORMATION

A RAM disk is used to create an area in your system's extended memory to simulate a hard disk drive. The main benefit of a RAM disk is speed. RAM disk access is much faster than hard disk access since the RAM disk is always loaded into memory. Memory allocated to a RAM disk cannot be used for other purposes, and data stored on a RAM disk is lost when you shutdown your computer.

The third-party products discussed here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

KBCategory: kb3rdparty
KBSubcategory: ntutil ntdriver ntfilesys
Additional reference words: 3.10 3.50 ramdisk ramdrive drive prodnt

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: April 29, 1996
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.