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  1. #1

    Default Howto: Increase multiboxing loading times on single computer. Up to 300-800% faster loading times.

    I've been thinking about symbolic links for a while and how much windows lacks by not using them. I then thought how awesome it would be if all of my 5 wow accounts would read from a single directory to use hard drive read caching.

    This is only useful if you have hard drive caching enabled, I've had 300-800% in loading times, ESPECIALLY Dalran.

    How does it work?


    The program creates a sort of "virtual file" that simply points to another file, wow will try to read this file and the operating system will automatically point to a single location.

    What is it called?

    Link Shell Extension

    Did you make it?

    No, I am not the author.

    Where do I get it?

    http://schinagl.priv.at/nt/hardlinks...kshellext.html

    Scroll all the way down for downloading instructions.



    Installation

    Install VS2005 SP1 as instruected in the downloads FIRST.
    Then install the shell extension.

    Usage
    Once installed, browse to your game. In our case we will use WOW's data folder.

    1. In the WOW data folder, create a new folder called BACKUP, make a copy of the 5 files you see in the directory and copy it to BACKUP, this is just in case something happens.
    2. In the WOW data folder, create a new folder called COPY, this is where you will create links so we can move them to different locations later on
    3. Select all 5 files, right click and select "Pick Link Source"
    4. Goto the COPY folder that you created and right click again. This time pick Drop As... -> Hard Link
    5. You will now have 5 files that look exactly like your previous files but with a red shortcut icon, Select these files, right click and CUT them

    6. Navigate to your other WOW's data folder, create a folder called BACKUP, MOVE all the files here to that folder.
    7. You should have no files before pasting, otherwise you will override the files with links! We want to keep as many backups as possible!

    Repeat steps 3-7 for all your other WOW installations.

    Here are stome tests I ran,

    Dalran loading x 5 BEFORE: 37 seconds, AFTER: 8 seconds
    Ironforge loading x 5 BEFORE 17 seconds, AFTER: 2 seconds


    I have 2 RAID 0 Velociraptors, please post your results here, I am very interested in what your results will be like!

  2. #2

    Default

    It's a popular method around here!

    It didn't really reduce my load times, it just made it so everything was synchronized... Which is good too.

    A big downside to using Symbolic Links however, is updating... What a pain.


    Also: An easier way to do it is this:

    - In every folder BUT your "main" folder delete your Data and Interface folders.
    - In your "main" folder, Right-Click the data folder and "pick link source"... then navigate to one of your other WoW folders with the now deleted folders, Right-Click -> Drop As -> Symbolic Link
    - Do the same thing as data, except for interface now too.

    This basically tells your computer to look at one data/interface folder for information (instead of every WoW folder... in my case, 5 )... speeding things up!

    In total, you're copy/pasting the 2 link sources 2 times for each "slave" folder you have.
    Last edited by sqeaky4100 : 08-09-2009 at 07:04 AM

  3. #3

    Default

    See also here, some useful stuff:
    http://www.dual-boxing.com/showthrea...6229#post56229
    Coming out of nowhere drivin' like rain, Stormbringer dance on the thunder again
    Dark cloud gathering breaking the day, no point running cause its coming your way

    Rainbow shaker on a stallion twister, bareback rider on the eye of the sky
    Stormbringer coming down meaning to stay, thunder and lightning heading your way

    Ride the rainbow crack the sky, Stormbringer coming time to die

    ~ Deep Purple, Stormbringer

  4. #4

    Default

    I used Link Shell Extension before I upgraded to Windows 7. That utility is great because you can select multiple items and link them all at once. A huge time saver if you use multiple folders. I only use one folder now and use a virtual file where needed i.e. config.wtf .
    Guilds: Spirit of St Louis/Saint Louis
    US- Trollbane/Zuljin Horde and Alliance


  5. #5

    Default

    ya.... i can't see past the -Program being posted by a first time poster, link to some site and product i've never heard of, that wants me to install thingy into my wow folders-

    yup...
    Interested in the worlds largest multiboxer guild for Classic WoW?
    <Overload> Multiboxer guild for end game raiding
    Server: Herod - NA-PvP, Eastern
    Faction: Horde
    Raid Time: 6pm-11pm EST on Sat, Sun, Tues.
    Discord:https://discord.gg/keWJpHF

  6. #6

    Default

    I think his registration got fouled up from the website switch. I have used that utility from that site. it is legit.
    Guilds: Spirit of St Louis/Saint Louis
    US- Trollbane/Zuljin Horde and Alliance


  7. #7

    Default

    Should be a good way to save space too. Not very important for most users, but by doing this (and deleting/moving backups off disk) you can probaby squeeze multiple installs into a 32GB SSD; maybe get all 5 into a 64GB SSD?

  8. #8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Zal View Post
    ya.... i can't see past the -Program being posted by a first time poster, link to some site and product i've never heard of, that wants me to install thingy into my wow folders-

    yup...
    I used to be registered in the old forums so I just re-made the account.

    I run a 5 mage box team: http://www.wowarmory.com/team-info.x...ct=Gnome+Power

    I also run a 4 shammy and 5 lock teams on the side.

  9. #9

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sqeaky4100 View Post
    It's a popular method around here!

    It didn't really reduce my load times, it just made it so everything was synchronized... Which is good too.

    A big downside to using Symbolic Links however, is updating... What a pain.


    Also: An easier way to do it is this:

    - In every folder BUT your "main" folder delete your Data and Interface folders.
    - In your "main" folder, Right-Click the data folder and "pick link source"... then navigate to one of your other WoW folders with the now deleted folders, Right-Click -> Drop As -> Symbolic Link
    - Do the same thing as data, except for interface now too.

    This basically tells your computer to look at one data/interface folder for information (instead of every WoW folder... in my case, 5 )... speeding things up!

    In total, you're copy/pasting the 2 link sources 2 times for each "slave" folder you have.
    Trying to do this, I already deleted the clones folders, when I right click the data folder, I don't see a "pick link source".

    Please help.
    Horde: Scilla - Sevenz , Sixxz , Sixzz , Siixz

  10. #10

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by moosejaw View Post
    I used Link Shell Extension before I upgraded to Windows 7. That utility is great because you can select multiple items and link them all at once. A huge time saver if you use multiple folders. I only use one folder now and use a virtual file where needed i.e. config.wtf .
    This might be a newb question but care to explain the process of how you made the virtual folder? I have mine symlinked but after this last patch it bit me in the ass and had to reinstall wow after breaking the link. Didn't work to well hehe. Only reason I'm using the symlink is having the seperate wtf folders.

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