SMARTDrive (SMARTDRV.EXE) usage: Which command-line switch displays SMARTDrive status and statistics output on DOS?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: /s

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
SMARTDrive (SMARTDRV.EXE) is a DOS/Windows 3.x era disk caching utility that accelerates disk access by buffering reads and writes. Knowing its command-line switches is important when tuning legacy systems or analyzing performance and write-caching behavior.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The question asks for the switch that shows status/statistics.
  • SMARTDRV supports several flags for enabling/disabling write-behind, excluding drives, and printing summaries.
  • We assume a typical DOS environment with SMARTDRV loaded.


Concept / Approach:

The summary/statistics switch prints the current cache configuration (cache sizes, write-behind state) and counters. This is typically invoked at the command prompt to verify settings after AUTOEXEC/CONFIG configuration changes.



Step-by-Step Solution:

Recall commonly used switches: /S (status/summary), /X (disable write-behind), /E: (exclude drives), and /O:n (set options).Match “displays status and statistics” with the summary output switch.Select /s as the appropriate switch.


Verification / Alternative check:

Running SMARTDRV without parameters after loading often displays a brief status; explicitly adding /S prints a fuller summary of cache settings and hits/misses on many versions, which technicians use to confirm effective caching.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • /x: Disables write-behind caching; does not show a summary.
  • /e:: Excludes a drive from caching; not a status switch.
  • /o:n: Sets options; not for printing summary.
  • None of the above: Incorrect because /s is correct.


Common Pitfalls:

Assuming /x shows information because it changes behavior. Also, confusing the informational output shown when SMARTDRV is run with no parameters with the explicit statistics output requested here.



Final Answer:

/s

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