How to setup TC copy/delete mode properly ?

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jjou
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How to setup TC copy/delete mode properly ?

Post by *jjou »

I have been using TC for many years, thanks all !
How to setup TC copy/delete mode properly ?
I have read the help file, still not sure how to decide it.
It seems to be slow, while I am trying to copy big files, like hard disk images, or backup entire hard disk.

Configuration - Copy/Delete
Allows fine tuning of the copy+delete operations.
Copy method (for experts only!)
This section allows to change the copy method:

Use standard copy method (recommended)
Let Total Commander choose the copy method. Currently it will use the built in default copy method via ReadFile/WriteFile on Windows 9x/ME, and the Windows function CopyFileEx on Windows NT, 2000, XP, Vista, and 7.

Use default method only
The default built in copy method (via ReadFile/WriteFile) is relatively slow, but also reliable. A larger block size may speed up the copying. When copying within the same drive, a larger buffer size should be chosen than when copying between two drives, so the read/write head doesn't have to jump between source and target all the time.

Also use big file copy mode
The copy method for large files is meant to copy very large files like films or CD-ROM images. It bypasses the Windows disk cache. This works very well with harddisks, but can slow down copying to special drives a lot (e.g. to USB sticks). Recommended are at least 10240 k within the same disk, and 32 k between two disks. Warning: Some disk drivers written by drive manufacturers may have bugs which prevent them from working in this mode!

The following drive letters are on the same physical harddisk (example: CDE,FGH ):
If your harddisk is separated into multiple partitions, e.g. drive C, D and E, copying between these partitions is the same as within drive C. Therefore Total Commander needs to use the same copying strategy as when copying within drive C. With this option, you can tell Total Commander which drive letters are on the same physical disk (separated by Commas).
Example: If you have two disks, one with letters C, D and E and one with F, G and H, you need to specify CDE,FGH in this box.

Use compatibility mode for the following drives:
The compatibility mode is useful for special drives, which cause problems with the default or big file mode, e.g. USB memory sticks. Simply enter the desired drive letters here, and/or \ for the network neighborhood, or * for all. This mode isn't available under Windows 9x/ME. It uses the Windows function CopyFileEx.
USB Sticks If checked, USB-Sticks (which are formatted as a Super-Floppy) are auto-detected, and copying to and from them is performed in compatibility mode. Reason: Copying from/to USB sticks is otherwise extremely slow on Windows XP, because there is no disk cache!

Use copy+paste via Explorer (only in case of copy problems)
This copy method should only be used in case of problems. It copies files via the clipboard, which means that they are copied via the Explorer. Certain virus scanners may slow down the normal file operations in such a bad way that only this copy method can help, because these scanners contain special handling for Explorer only.
Warning: With this function you can neither copy file comments, nor can you use the extended overwrite and rename options available in Total Commander.

General Copy+Delete options
Copy date/time of directories
Allows to copy the 'last modified' timestamp of a directory. This option also concerns the unpacking of directories from archives, if the directory has been explicitly packed (not only the files with relative paths).
Warning: On drives formatted with NTFS, the time stamp of a directory may change when files are changed in that directory!
Verify after copying (MD5 checksum)
Reads the copied file again after copying finishes, and compares its MD5 checksum with the original. The disk cache will be bypassed. Since this function is slow, it should only be used if there are any known problems with disks. This checkbox determines the state of the option when Total Commander starts. It can also be changed directly in the F5 Copy dialog.
Use Explorer delete method
Deletes files via the Explorer. This is faster, but cannot handle file comments.
F8/DEL deletes to recycle bin (SHIFT=directly)
If this option is activated, Total Commander will delete to recycle bin when you press F8/DEL or drop a file on the F8 button. By using shift+F8 you can still delete files directly. Disabling this option will delete directly. Caution: Currently there is no undelete program included in Windows other than the recycle bin!
Note: This option isn't available if Use Explorer delete method is checked.
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ts4242
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Re: How to setup TC copy/delete mode properly ?

Post by *ts4242 »

Read TC help> 4. Configuration and switches> b. INI-File settings: wincmd.ini, there you will find more details about copy settings and their recommend values
CopyBlockSize
Sets block size for copying (in kbytes=1024 bytes). Default and minimum is 32 (=32768 bytes).

CopyHugeBlockSize
Sets the block size when copying very large files. The files will be read and written directly, bypassing the disk cache. Minimum size is 10MB. Only files larger than this block size will be copied this way. For smaller files, CopyBlockSize will be used. By default, without this entry in the INI file, this feature is turned off.

CopyBlockSizeOther
Sets the block size for copying between drives on different physical disks. It's better to use a smaller block size when copying between different disks, because both disks can read/write at the same time. A single disk has to jump between source and target file when copying, so a large block size is better.

CopyHugeBlockSizeOther
Sets the block size when copying very large files, between different disks. Minimum: 256 kB.


Recommended values (try others yourself):
CopyBlockSize=1024
CopyHugeBlockSize=10240
CopyBlockSizeOther=128
CopyHugeBlockSizeOther=32
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Re: How to setup TC copy/delete mode properly ?

Post by *Dalai »

The answer is short and simple: You need to try it for yourself which works best and fits your needs. Every hardware is different, so my values might not be the best for your scenario.

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Re: How to setup TC copy/delete mode properly ?

Post by *jjou »

Thank you all for replying !!

Is there a mistake here ?
CopyHugeBlockSizeOther Minimum 256 kB while Recommended values 32 kB ?

CopyHugeBlockSizeOther= Sets the block size when copying very large files, between different disks. Minimum: 256 kB.
Recommended values (try others yourself):
CopyHugeBlockSizeOther=32
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Re: How to setup TC copy/delete mode properly ?

Post by *petermad »

CopyHugeBlockSizeOther= Sets the block size when copying very large files, between different disks. Minimum: 256 kB.
CopyHugeBlockSizeOther=32
That is peculiar - I looked back - CopyHugeBlockSizeOther was introduced with Windows Commander 4.54 in 2001, and the help for these items has been the same ever since!

Interestingly enough - if you start TC with a fresh ini-file the values are suggested by TC to:
CopyBlockSize=32
CopyBlockSizeOther=32
CopyHugeBlockSize=10240
CopyHugeBlockSizeOther=64

So TC doesn't even by itself use the recommended sizes except for CopyHugeBlockSize
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Re: How to setup TC copy/delete mode properly ?

Post by *Dalai »

I guess the TC help has never been updated in that regard. I know it's some effort and it requires discipline to update descriptions, comments, help files and documentation after changing the program code, so ... not really something that makes me wonder. But now that it's been found, Ghisler should update the TC help files :).

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