Download the Tom's Hardware App from the App Store
The reference for current tech news
Yes No
Ads
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Windows 7 > General Discussion > Computer slows down while transferring files

Computer slows down while transferring files

Forum Windows 7 : General Discussion Computer slows down while transferring files

Word :    Username :           
 

Hello,

When I do a large file transfer or multiple file transfers my computer gets extremely slow during the process. Slow meaning that to open the web browser it struggles and while typing search terms in google there is lag. That's just one example, other's being opening programs.

Last night I reformatted my computer because I thought maybe it had something to do with it. But no luck because after the clean install was complete I transferred about 600gb back on the computer and during this process tried to view the properties xpadder (Right click-> Properties) and the entire system froze. A hard reset and I started the process all over again, tried watching tv using windows media center and it worked but flipping through channels was extremely slow and it is not usually.

I'm trying to solve this problem and maybe see if others are experiencing the same.

I think my hardware is more than capable:

Windows 7 x64
8gb of Ram
1tb WD Caviar Black
ATI Radeon 4890
Gigabye P55-UD6 rev1.0
Enermax Modu 82+
Corsair H50

some background info:

I originally had my computer overclocked but after a Bios upgrade I couldn't get the same results so It is currently stock speed.

Computer is only a year old.

Running temps are around 40-45C

Harddrive temps are normal (40-48C)

I have completed a full check disk and monitor the harddrive with CrystalDisk Info (SMART Utility) and it seems 100%.

Thanks.

Reply to xmatrix
Register or log in to remove.

One strategy is to use a very fast hard drive like a 70 GB velociraptor, as the OS dedicated drive, put the OS and the software, such as Office, browser, etc...on the fast drive, and boot this drive first.

 

Put all your personal files on the 1 TB drive, and don't mix the two categories on the same drive.

 

Load the OS after you install the velociraptor, to make sure all the hardware gets configured...

 

The reason I am saying this is that a 1 TB drive is slow by nature. But there is no reason that a file transfer should hog all the resources, so use a fast drive for the OS...

 

Also another thing is not to load multiple security programs into your computer, and avoid the free ones.


Message edited by soundguruman on 05-05-2011 at 06:10:56 PM
------------------------------ My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.

 

Reply to soundguruman

When you copy files from one place to another on the same physical drive it means the disk heads have to move back and forth very quickly. When you add the need for the web browser to be accessing files in it's "Temporary Internet Files" folder you end up with the disk getting hammered by competing I/O requests - a condition known as "thrashing".

This is why a lot of people use a separate physical drive for the OS - it means that the OS drive can continue to respond quickly even though you're doing a lot of work with the data drive.

Reply to sminlal

Quote :

When you copy files from one place to another on the same physical drive it means the disk heads have to move back and forth very quickly. When you add the need for the web browser to be accessing files in it's "Temporary Internet Files" folder you end up with the disk getting hammered by competing I/O requests - a condition known as "thrashing".

This is why a lot of people use a separate physical drive for the OS - it means that the OS drive can continue to respond quickly even though you're doing a lot of work with the data drive.



I plan to do that in the future, but for the time being I do not have enough money to use two hard drives. Any other suggestions?

Reply to xmatrix

If you need to copy files around and you've only got one drive to do it with, there's not a whole lot you can do. Fast enough flash drives can be plugged in and set up for "ReadyBoost" to improve disk caching, but I'm a little skeptical that it will make much of a difference.

Reply to sminlal

A raptor hard drive, on e bay, fresh in the original wrapper, 70 GB, is about $80, and so worth while.
Also, defragment your drive, this helps a bit.

------------------------------ My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.

 

Reply to soundguruman

Most likely I'm just going to replace the hard drive and use two as opposed to one- one for the OS and one for storage. Thanks for the reply's!

Reply to xmatrix

this is normal!!!!!!!ssd ssd ssd ssd!

Reply to Area51reopened

The original raptor drives are a little loud and a bit slow (compared to the velociraptors). Price and performance wise, you'd be better off getting something like the 640GB WD caviar black for ~$60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

------------------------------ CM HAF 932 / GIGABYTE GA-EP45T-DS3R / E8500 @ 3.75Ghz / 300GB Velociraptor / 4G DDR3 OCZ Reaper 1333
Saphire 1G 4850

Simple and Free Guide to Removing Malware
Reply to aford10

I still like the 10000 RPM 3" drive...

------------------------------ My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.

 

Reply to soundguruman

Register or log in to remove.
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Windows 7 > General Discussion > Computer slows down while transferring files
Go to:

There are 1957 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
Ads
Latest best answer
Windows not working on new system - making a bootable usb hardrive
By rdc85, 11 hours ago:

U can make usb boot to install new windows, as long u had the installation disk, just...

Best offers
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them
Top experts