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      STACKER NOTE                                         STACKER NOTE          
                    TUNING STACKER 4.0 FOR MAXIMUM SPEED
                          (Applies to Stacker 4.0)
      STAC FAX  4509 (02-17-1994)
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      BACKGROUND
      
      Stacker 4.0's SmartPack provides the best real-time disk
      compression available.  When you create a new Stacker drive, or
      convert a Stacker drive from a previous version, you are taking
      advantage of  SmartPack. This method trades off speed for the
      best compression. The Stacker Toolbox provides the ability for
      you to tune your computer for fastest speed vs. best compression.
      It also provides a tool, the Optimizer, that allows you
      periodically recompress your drive. These two tools provide a
      great deal of flexibility in tuning your computer for the best
      overall performance.
      
      SOLUTION
      
          - Determine your requirements for speed vs. compression.
          - Make selections from the Stacker Toolbox to meet your
            requirements.
           
      Determine your requirements for speed vs. compression
      
      You must decide whether you wish to use the Stacker Toolbox to
      tune your computer for maximum speed or maximum compression based
      on your system's overall performance and your need for disk
      space. Stacker provides the flexibility to make use of maximum
      speed during day-to-day operations, while periodically optimizing
      your drive to get the best compression. Utilizing this strategy
      you would use the Stacker Toolbox to select MaxSpeed. But you
      would also regularly use the Optimize tool to recompress your
      drive selecting the MaxSpace option.
      
      Make selections from the Stacker Toolbox to meet your
      requirements
      
      From Windows:
      
       1.  Open the Stacker Toolbox and click on the "tune" button.
       2.  Select the speed setting you desire. Select MaxSpeed for the
           fastest performance.
       3.  When Optimizing your Stacker drive, click on the Optimize
           button in the Stacker Toolbox.
       4.  Select the optimization method you desire. To get the best
           compression select Full-MaxSpace.
           
      From DOS:
      
       1.  Type STAC at the DOS prompt.
       2.  Select Stacker Tuner from the menu.
       3.  Select the speed setting you desire. "Fastest speed and
           standard compression" is the equivalent of MaxSpeed in
           Windows.
       4.  When Optimizing the drive, select Stacker Optimizer from the
           main menu.
       5.  Select the compression method desired. "Full-MaxSpace" gives
           you the best compression.
           
      Remember that you only need to set the Tuner one time. Your
      computer will operate at that speed setting from then on, unless
      you change the setting. You should periodically run the Stacker
      Optimizer when your fragmentation level gets too high, or you
      wish to recompress the drive for best compression.
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      Copyright 1994 Stac Electronics
