Windows 9x allocates by default for 4 memory pages to use for asynchronous read/write. There is a parameter to configure how many concurrent memory pages there should be allocated. The possible values are: 4, 8, 16, 32. Increasing the value will allow better disk read/write performance.

Edit the SYSTEM.INI and the following to the [386Enh] section:

[386Enh]
PageBuffers = 32

Note this parameter should only be used if having enabled 32 bit disk access and using a permanent swap file.