Writing to external drive very slow / freezes

Philocalist

I've an erratic, on-going problem that is driving me nuts! As I cannot repeat the problem with any degree of reliability, I'm finding it virtually impossible to diagnose the cause of the problem, which is that writing to a USB drive is frequently so slow that Explorer freezes to the degree that I cannot cancel the operation: the only way to regain control of the PC at that stage is a re-boot.

I'm using Vista PCs which until recently were working well with all of the external drives, which include models by Buffalo, Maxtor and Seagate. What happens now (mostly with the Buffalo, but occasionally with the Maxtor too) is that when I want to move files or copy them TO the external drive from a resident hard drive, the operation either starts very slowly (i.e. a transfer rate measured in kB rather than MB), or starts off at a rate that I would deem 'normal' but quickly drops down to the same sort of figure. Usually it then apparently stops data transfer completely, and Explorer freezes completely.
At that stage I cannot cancel the operation (or terminate Explorer itself) even from within Task Manager.
I've tried using a selection of different cables, including new ones and ones known to work OK, with several different USB sockets across 3 different PC's ... and the problem seems to raise its head at random, making it impossible to pin down.

As far as I can be, I'm certain that all PCs and drives are clean and uninfected. All have been de-fragged, and all pass a full diagnostic run (10 hours plus!) with Maxtor software.

ANY constructive ideas please, cos I'm running out! Very Happy

goretsky · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:07 pm Post subject:

Hello,

Have you tried deleting the entries for the USB interface in the Device Manager and restarting the computer to allow Microsoft Windows Vista to recreate them? If so, did that make any difference?

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

bern · Joined: Mar 12, 2007 Posts: 1464 Location: ann arbor

When this happens, can you get into the task manager and see what percent of processor time is in use, and what processes are using this time?

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2657

I assume the external hd is connected via a USB cable. Does it have its own power source or is it using only the USB port for power? Are there any other USB devices attached? Have you checked to be sure the USB ports are not set to turn off?

Philocalist · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 1:01 pm Post subject:

Hi goretsky, Bern ... thanks for chippin' in Smile

goretsky: tried your suggestion, and apparently things are now OK, ie the worst offending drive is now allowing data transfer TO it at a rate of around 40MB/s. Biggest concern is that this is an intermittent problem, so I'm not yet quite convinced that it will not re-occur as soon as my back is turned!

Bern: that was one of the things that was confounding me. Although I could (usually) access Task Manager, no processes were showing anything like unusual usage, the only anomalies being the transfer and Explorer which were typically shown as 'Not Responding', though not in themselves showing excess CPU usage, memory etc.

So ... it MAY be fixed, but there again ................... Confused

Philocalist · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 1:37 pm Post subject:

Hi zlim ... yes, any drive in question has its own power source and is connected via USB cables (which have been checked using other cables known to be good ones)

Other USB devices that are attached are a wireless keyboard and mouse, and sometimes another external drive (or 2!) ... none of this has caused past problems, which began only a few days ago.
I'm unaware of any of the USB ports being set to turn off ... not even sure how to check!? ... though would have thought that this would not be an issue, as some sort of transfer is usually possible, even if very slow, but this would indicate that power was on, no?

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1629 Location: Central FL, USA

USB externals are always slow by their very nature.
But, if your CPU is loaded down with background programs wanting attention, then the USP drive will take a back seat and wait for its turn for attention from the CPU.

So shut down all unnecessary programs running in the background before you try to access your USB drive.
Also, make sure you have ample RAM, to accommodate your CPU and the programs it has to run.

I worked on an HP Laptop last week, that was running so slow I couldn't believe it.
It has Vista Home installed and only 512 megs of ram.
That should be a hanging offense in any decent country. Crying or Very sad

But here, they get away with it. Cheeeech! Evil or Very Mad

Once I got done doing my tune-up, the little PC did run a lot better, but it still needs two gigs of ram to run right.
I'm working with the user to get that done, ASAP.
(www.crucial.com)

So don't ever expect GOOD performance if the CPU doesn't have enough ram to satisfy its needs.
At least 2 gig's for XP and 3 or better for Vista and Win-7.

Good Luck Mate!
The Doctor Cool