2nd drive running slow intermitantly

[simonpc]

I have a drive latency problem that I think is related to Windows 7, but im not sure why. My PCs an Intel Core I 7 with 6gb ram. I recently added a second 2tb WD internal sata drive for extra file storage. I moved the default my docs folder to point at the seconds drive. Everything has been running fine up to recently when I have started to experience lag with the second drive. I have been adding a large amount of large video files( hd mkvs etc). They have started to intermittently stutter as if the PC is dong something else with this second drive. If I move the video file onto the primary drive it plays fine. When the PC is first turned on it looks as if there is a lot of drive access going on for no reason. Task manager does not give any indication I can see. Sometimes after an hour the PC calms down and the files on the second drive play fine. Has Windows 7 got some form of file indexing that is running in the background creating a lot of traffic? I tried turning off the “Allow files on this drive to have contrants indexed in addition to file properties” option but the problem remains.
When you open up a folder whats the green bar a the top of the screen that moves across the folder location. When the PC is running slow this takes ages? I have done a WD drive test and the new HD does not show any problems.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[krokusnat]

Windows Search and Indexing could be slowing it down but also a defrag may be needed if the files are many. Also real-time antimalware may be doing it as well if it's scanning every file on access, windows defender, drive may me going into sleep mode, it could be a number of those things, 2tb is a huge drive and a lot of drive to cover if the heads are scanning all over the drive to play the files, I would suggest looking into a defrag program such as Puran or Disktrix to eliminate fragmentation and getting those files you use most to the outer edge of the drives platter. I recommend disktrix for the fact that you can manipulate which files and folders go to the outside of the platter (high performace files or files most used) and (archives which are rarely used) to the inner platter. Hope some of that helps..

Disktrix - Two Amazing Defragmentation Software Titles - UltimateDefrag And DefragExpress

 

[Lee]

The main problem is the size of the drive. Two Tb is a huge drive, and once you start loading it up it will take time to locate the files you want to use or run at a specific time. I use a 1.5 Tb drive that I have partitioned into three 500 Gb drives. This helped a great deal in speeding up access to files on that drive.

When you use a drive that size you will have to expect that there are going to be slow downs when you load it up.

Also, you might look to see if the drive is set to go to sleep. If it is then turn that feature off. If you don't then after a set time the drive goes to sleep then when you need it, it has to spin back up, and depending on the amount of data on the drive will depend on the spin up time.

BTW, "Welcome to the Seven Forums."

 

[A Guy]

Also, if you want to see what the disk activity is, open Resource Monitor

Start> In search box type Resource Manager and press enter> Expand the Disk tab and check disk activity

A Guy

 

[Ravanx]

The main problem is the size of the drive. Two Tb is a huge drive, and once you start loading it up it will take time to locate the files you want to use or run at a specific time. I use a 1.5 Tb drive that I have partitioned into three 500 Gb drives. This helped a great deal in speeding up access to files on that drive.

When you use a drive that size you will have to expect that there are going to be slow downs when you load it up.

Why would partitioning improve the speed? It's still the same size with the same number of files.

 

[Lee]

Why would partitioning improve the speed? It's still the same size with the same number of files.[/QUOTE]

Not really. Win 7 see each partition as a separate drive; thus depending on the amount of data on a drive (partition) will depend on how fast the information is accessed.

 

[simonpc]

An update. Looking in Resource Monitor – Disk, when the PC is running slow explorer.exe is accessing my large MKV files on my 2gb drive with a high read rate. Whats it doing?


I have switched off Virus scanner and firewall – no diffrerence

 

[simonpc]

It triggered by me opening the folder containing the large MKVs. Explorer is starting to scan them in alphabetical order.

 

[zigzag3143]

I have a drive latency problem that I think is related to Windows 7, but im not sure why. My PCs an Intel Core I 7 with 6gb ram. I recently added a second 2tb WD internal sata drive for extra file storage. I moved the default my docs folder to point at the seconds drive. Everything has been running fine up to recently when I have started to experience lag with the second drive. I have been adding a large amount of large video files( hd mkvs etc). They have started to intermittently stutter as if the PC is dong something else with this second drive. If I move the video file onto the primary drive it plays fine. When the PC is first turned on it looks as if there is a lot of drive access going on for no reason. Task manager does not give any indication I can see. Sometimes after an hour the PC calms down and the files on the second drive play fine. Has Windows 7 got some form of file indexing that is running in the background creating a lot of traffic? I tried turning off the “Allow files on this drive to have contrants indexed in addition to file properties” option but the problem remains.
When you open up a folder whats the green bar a the top of the screen that moves across the folder location. When the PC is running slow this takes ages? I have done a WD drive test and the new HD does not show any problems.

Thanks for any advice!

You by chance indexing that drive, or have a page file there, etc?


Ken J

 

[simonpc]

I have turned off indexing in the drive properties.

 

[zigzag3143]

I have turned off indexing in the drive properties.

How many files? how big are they? even if not indexed explorer still has to read through them.

 

[simonpc]

12 x 25gb each - yes i know a bit large