A 32-bit driver disk cache in Windows 9x and Windows ME that replaces MS-DOS Smartdrv. VCACHE can dynamically change depending on the available disk space and memory an application requires.

Windows 95 machines have issues with memory above 48 MB because of how the memory is handled with VCACHE. Windows 98 and Windows ME users can also improve their performance by also modifying the VCACHE; however, many issues existing in Windows 95 were fixed in Windows 98 and Windows ME. To correct out of memory errors, improve performance, or correct issues with VCACHE, users can modify the system.ini and add the below two lines into the [vcache] section of the system.ini.

[vcache]minfilecache=xxxxxxmaxfilecache=xxxxxx

Where xxxxxx is the memory, in kilobytes, used on the computer. The value for “minfilecache” is the minimum size of the VCACHE, “maxfilecache” is the maximum size value that cannot be exceeded. Below are examples of what could be specified:

32 MB of memory = 3276850 MB of memory = 51200128 MB of memory = 131072512 MB of memory = 524288*

Note: When trying to optimize your computer, the VCACHE values should be 10% to 25% of your total memory size.

  • The maxfilecache size should not exceed 524288, even when the computer has more than 512 MB of memory.

Users may experience Fatal Exceptions OE with VCACHE during the installation of a program or when first running a program for the following reasons:

  • Program running in the background is causing the computer to crash. Close all TSRs running in the background.
  • Disable write-behind caching for all drives by clicking Start, Settings, Control Panel, System, Performance, File System, and then Troubleshooting. Check the Disable write-behind caching for all drives. Click ok and close out of all windows and restart the computer.
  • Reboot the computer into Safe Mode. If the issue doesn’t occur in Safe Mode, your issue is caused by a software corruption or issue and we recommend reinstalling the software causing the issue or reinstall Windows. However, if the issues persist, it is likely due to bad computer memory.

If you’re getting out of memory errors with large amounts of memory, for example, over 512 MB, set the maxfilecache=524288.

Memory terms, System.ini

  • Memory (RAM) help and support.