Imgema Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 (edited) Launchbox creates a cache folder in the images tree where it saves thousands upon thousands of tiny files, as you use the program. These files are also re-created every time you change some options or refresh your images. This seems like too much of a stress for an HDD, especially an SSD drive where you don't want so many writes to happen. Unfortunately, it seems you have no control over this folder. You can't disable it and you can't move it without moving everything else with it. I'd like to just move it into my RAMDISK so i won't have to worry about needless wear and tear on the HDD. Is there any other way to do so? Thank you. Edited September 25, 2016 by Imgema Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOS76 Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Under tools options there is an option to disable the RAM cache Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imgema Posted September 25, 2016 Author Share Posted September 25, 2016 Doesn't disable hard disk cache. It will still generate files regardless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Carr Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 Currently there's no way to disable or move the hard drive cache. It's really a non-issue since the files are only regenerated if you change the images, so it shouldn't be a stress on any hardware. That said, @Imgema is running into some issues that we're addressing in another thread, so I'm guessing that's the reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckp Posted October 7, 2016 Share Posted October 7, 2016 @Imgema, you can change the image cache folder to anywhere using a symbolic link if you want. the Windows command is mklink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin55 Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Just thought I would give people a little tutorial here on how to use "mklink" for the Launchbox Cache. This method worked for me very well when I moved the Cache to my SSD, I found that I could now use images set to there highest quality without any impact on performance and the images look great on a 4k TV. So here is what worked for me: 1. First download and install LINK SHELL EXTENSION found here http://schinagl.priv.at/nt/hardlinkshellext/linkshellextension.html You should now have the option when you right click on a file to "Pick Link Source". 2. On your SSD where you want your cache to be located create a folder called "cache" 3. Go to your Launchbox folder and find the original cache folder under images and copy everything in the cache folder to your new cache folder on your SSD. (this may take a while, alternatively you could just delete everything in the original cache folder if you wish but you will have to repopulate it later after the folder is linked, not a big deal really I just leave launchbox in "attract mode" so it gets filled up). 4. Once you have copied everything (or deleted everything) from the original cache folder also delete the actual original cache folder itself as well (this part is important). 5. now go to your SSD and right click your new cache folder you created earlier and select "Pick Link Source" 6. now go to your IMAGES folder in launchbox right click it and select "Create Junction" This will automatically create a new cache folder (where you deleted the original) inside the images folder with a little chain icon attached to it indicating that it is now linked to your SSD cache folder! That's it simple but took me a while to get my head around so I just thought I would post this. A way to test if this is working correctly is to do the same with your platform videos folder, if after following the instructions above your videos display properly, everything is working fine! or of course you could just watch the space left on your SSD as the cache fills up. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mute64 Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 I also use symlink and hardlinks to move my cache/other files i want to load quick to an ssd with out breaking directories... very useful 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omen Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 On 4/7/2017 at 5:04 PM, Levo_Stone said: Just thought I would give people a little tutorial here on how to use "mklink" for the Launchbox Cache. This method worked for me very well when I moved the Cache to my SSD, I found that I could now use images set to there highest quality without any impact on performance and the images look great on a 4k TV. So here is what worked for me: 1. First download and install LINK SHELL EXTENSION found here http://schinagl.priv.at/nt/hardlinkshellext/linkshellextension.html You should now have the option when you right click on a file to "Pick Link Source". 2. On your SSD where you want your cache to be located create a folder called "cache" 3. Go to your Launchbox folder and find the original cache folder under images and copy everything in the cache folder to your new cache folder on your SSD. (this may take a while, alternatively you could just delete everything in the original cache folder if you wish but you will have to repopulate it later after the folder is linked, not a big deal really I just leave launchbox in "attract mode" so it gets filled up). 4. Once you have copied everything (or deleted everything) from the original cache folder also delete the actual original cache folder itself as well (this part is important). 5. now go to your SSD and right click your new cache folder you created earlier and select "Pick Link Source" 6. now go to your IMAGES folder in launchbox right click it and select "Create Junction" This will automatically create a new cache folder (where you deleted the original) inside the images folder with a little chain icon attached to it indicating that it is now linked to your SSD cache folder! That's it simple but took me a while to get my head around so I just thought I would post this. A way to test if this is working correctly is to do the same with your platform videos folder, if after following the instructions above your videos display properly, everything is working fine! or of course you could just watch the space left on your SSD as the cache fills up. Thanks this came in very handy. I needed to move my images and videos directories from a 5400 RPM to a faster 7200 RPM drive, but didn't want to move anything else, this worked perfectly! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin55 Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 26 minutes ago, Omen said: Thanks this came in very handy. I needed to move my images and videos directories from a 5400 RPM to a faster 7200 RPM drive, but didn't want to move anything else, this worked perfectly! You are welcome Omen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckp Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 @Omen , nice tool! mklink can be confusing to some people. this should make it easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckp Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 (edited) might be useful to add your tutorial to: https://forums.launchbox-app.com/files/category/5-third-party-apps-and-plugins/ Edit: or here, not sure which is best: https://forums.launchbox-app.com/forum/79-third-party-applications-and-plugins-released/ Edited June 27, 2017 by ckp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syntax_X Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 2 hours ago, Omen said: Thanks this came in very handy. I needed to move my images and videos directories from a 5400 RPM to a faster 7200 RPM drive, but didn't want to move anything else, this worked perfectly! Did you notice a difference/increase in performance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckp Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 I tried this a while back and didn't notice any difference moving cache from usb 3 drive to internal ssd drive. But that's just my configuration. I don't know that I would advise moving videos to faster storage though. I'd say try it and find out if it helps for you or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omen Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 2 hours ago, syntax_X said: Did you notice a difference/increase in performance? Yeah there's definitely a difference in my setup. Before artwork would stutter when scrolling really fast, especially in themes that display both the box and cart/disc art at the same time. Now there's rarely any stutter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syntax_X Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 2 minutes ago, Omen said: Yeah there's definitely a difference in my setup. Before artwork would stutter when scrolling really fast, especially in themes that display both the box and cart/disc art at the same time. Now there's rarely any stutter. Was this tested with a fully populated cache before and after? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mute64 Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 (edited) I use symbolic link to move my cache to an ssd. Just my 2 cents while i have 2 mins to say something Edited June 28, 2017 by Mute64 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syntax_X Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 On 2017-4-8 at 4:02 PM, Mute64 said: I also use symlink and hardlinks to move my cache/other files i want to load quick to an ssd with out breaking directories... very useful When you forget what you've already posted... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mute64 Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 4 hours ago, syntax_X said: When you forget what you've already posted... To busy to check, my bad guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omen Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 14 hours ago, syntax_X said: Was this tested with a fully populated cache before and after? No I deleted the cache first. I figure if it loads faster with out the image cache, it will be even faster with it. A big issue with my setup is I have created disc and cartridge art for everything, and I saved everything as uncompressed PNGs, so the images are like 10 x larger than they need to be. I need to find a bulk utility to convert them to compressed PNGs. But for now switching to a faster HDD has definitely helped the situation. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
housello Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 It's still a problema for me, because I use launchbox on multiple devices, synched with dropbox. If i make a symlink in the dropbox folder, it creates a real folder in the other device. Furthermore, the continuos creation and deletion of cache files stresses tha dropbox sincronisation. Please add an option to change the hdd cache size. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.