Here are my computer specs. Why is my eSATA port slow

[Duckling]

I installed Windows 7 and the transfer of data between my
WD MyBook II (My Book Studio Edition II 2 TB Hard Drives ( WDH2Q20000 ))

is really slow.
Transferring around 30 MB/s

Is there a driver or something to correct this?

I've been trying to figure this out for awhile

HP dv7-2078ca PC Specifications


Hardware
Product Name dv7-2078ca
Product Number NM098UA#ABC
Microprocessor 2.00 GHz Intel Core2 Quad Processor Q9000
Microprocessor Cache 6MB L2 Cache
Memory 8192MB
Memory Max 8192MB
Video Graphics ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650
Video Memory Up to 2815MB (1024MB dedicated)
Hard Drive 1TB (5400RPM)
Multimedia Drive LightScribe Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD±R/RW Double Layer
Display 17.3” Diagonal HD+ High-Definition HP LED BrightView Widescreen Display (1600 x 900)
Fax/Modem High speed 56k modem
Network Card Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN
Wireless Connectivity • 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN (13)
Sound • Altec Lansing with SRS Premium Sound and Sub-Woofer
Keyboard 101-key compatible with full size keyboard with integrated numeric keypad
Pointing Device Touch Pad with On/Off button and dedicated vertical scroll Up/Down pad
PC Card Slots 1 ExpressCard/54 Slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)
External Ports • 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards
• 4 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, 4th port shared with eSATA
• 2 Headphone out
• 1 microphone-in
• HDMI
• 1 VGA (15-pin)
• eSATA + USB 2.0
• 1 RJ-11 (modem)
• 1 RJ -45 (LAN)
• 1 notebook expansion port 3
• 1 IEEE 1394
• irewire (4-pin)
• 1 Consumer IR (Remote Receiver)
Other Devices
Dimensions 16.2" (W) x 10.9" (D) x 1.37" (min H)/1.70" (max H)
Weight 7.67 lbs
Security • Kensington MicroSaver lock slot
• Power-on password
• Accepts 3rd party security lock devices
Power • 120W AC Adapter
• 8-Cell Lithium-Ion battery
What's In The Box HP Mobile Remote Control
Software

 

[SquonkSC]

Can you check if write cache is enabled in policies tab of the drive?

 

[Antman]

From HP:

Depending on your computer model, the computer may​

include a USB port only

Please describe the physical appearance of the eSATA port and/or cable.

 

[Duckling]

Yes write caching is enabled on the device

Though I'd like to be able to use "quick removal" as the removal policy
as I find myself often doing this. This isn't enabled right now though

 

[Duckling]

From HP:

Depending on your computer model, the computer may​

include a USB port only

Please describe the physical appearance of the eSATA port and/or cable.

I'm definitely using a eSATA port

I bought a eSATA cable and it fits in to the WD eSATA connection

Its the 3rd one from the top of the unit
right above the usb port

 

[sergiogarcia9]

I'm definitely using a eSATA port

I bought a eSATA cable and it fits in to the WD eSATA connection

Its the 3rd one from the top of the unit
right above the usb port

Its not USB, it's firewire but back on topic, you can access the harddrive, right? and transfer files from/to it? You could try to check WD site for drivers, or simply get a firewire cable instead sorry i cant help you more

 

[SquonkSC]

Your internal drive is (5400RPM) model.

So transfer of 30mb/s isn't so bad.

The chain is as strong as it's weakest link.

My 7200rpm's do about 50mb/s.

Also depends very much on what you are transfering, large or small files.

 

[pparks1]

Its not USB, it's firewire but back on topic

Well, actually....it's 2 firewire ports, 1 eSATA port and 1 USB port.

 

[sergiogarcia9]

Your internal drive is (5400RPM) model.

So transfer of 30mb/s isn't so bad.

The chain is as strong as it's weakest link.

My 7200rpm's do about 50mb/s.

Also depends very much on what you are transfering, large or small files.

exactly, on my WD harddrive, it transfer slower when there is a lot of small files, then when there is only 1 big file :huh:

 

[Duckling]

I dunno tech support at western digital said that was slow...and it should be in the Gb range
But, then again they also said their drives weren't compatible with windows 7.

 

[Antman]

Sorry. Eating dinner. No offense intended re: show me. There are 2 firewire ports, one eSATA and oone uusb pparks

Anyway, mystery solved, but the rate is a bit low. The source files may be fragged. The destination drive may be fragged/full. The cable is not shielded (by design).

You may wish to investigate a new chipset driver.

 

[sergiogarcia9]

I dunno tech support at western digital said that was slow...and it should be in the Gb range
But, then again they also said their drives weren't compatible with windows 7.

Maybe it has something to do with your eSATA port on your pc? :huh:

 

[Duckling]

I'm just kidding. I was jabbing at the fact that tech support are clueless.

 

[SquonkSC]

I dunno tech support at western digital said that was slow...and it should be in the Gb range
But, then again they also said their drives weren't compatible with windows 7.

In the Gb range? And that guy works at WD support?

The fastest continues transfer you can expect between two 7200rpm sata disks is around 70mb/s.

And that is under ideal circumstances. (right file size)

If you transfer mostly big files, setting the cluster size higher might improve performance by 5 or 10%.

 

[SquonkSC]

Antman also has some valid points:

The source files may be fragged. The destination drive may be fragged/full. The cable is not shielded (by design).

You may wish to investigate a new chipset driver.

Although the effect of fragmentation on system performance is often exaggerated, (CT' germany did an extensive test, and found a max of 2% performance drop), the effect on transfers however is quite big.

A chipset driver is a crucial component in the throughput between components, so you might indeed check if there is a update for yours.


But all in all, the 5400rpm disk is the negative factor here, and you shouldn't expect a maximum of 35 to 40mb/s.

Another thing to realize is that your OS is on the same disk and takes it's fair share of the performance.

You have 8Gb of Ram so you should disable the swapfile.
That would improve the performance of your internal disk.

Good luck

 

[pparks1]

I dunno tech support at western digital said that was slow...and it should be in the Gb range

WOW...I cannot believe a tech support person from WD said that. Even a 10,000 RPM velociraptor is only going to approach 15% of that kinda of speed. As others have said, about 70MB/s is the best you will ever see over a continuous basis.