External HDD getting really slow! Please help

[Foxxy]

Hi, I think i my external hard disk is getting slow!

When I copy files to HDD (I) it takes so long but when i copy files from HDD (I) to another HDD it’s faster. Its not full.

Yesterday I transferred a 9Gb file to HDD (I), it took more then 7hours!!!

I have LaCie D2 Extreme 300GB with firewire 800.

Any suggestions???

[Gatto]

How not full is not full? HDD typically require around 10% space to transfer files efficiently. Have you defragmented your external drive?

I would also suggest checking its plugged into a USB2 port - but obviously its firewire not USB.

[Foxxy]

It has 105GB free. I don't know much about the defrag thing?

[WWP]

Have you tried it again? It may have just been a gremlin or another programme was requiring a lot of hard drive access which was slowing the reading speed. If it copies a lot faster in the other direction then I don't think its a problem with the drive. Can you try it in a another computer?

[Chris]

Fragmentation is where there is insufficient large space on your hard drive, and so files have to be chopped up into small sections and stuffed into lots of small spaces. It should be done generally about once every couple of months just to give a performance boost, especially if you're low on space. But with 105GB free, you don't need to worry about it.

In this case, I'd agree with WWP in that its probably a gremlin that was happening at that moment. Does it still do it?

C

[Foxxy]

Thanks for the info. It sounds like this fragmentation can really be a problem if files can be cut up into so many different pieces! Why do they do that!

I did try the drive in another PC and it does seem slightly faster but its not what I think it should be. Maybe this fragmentation is an issue on this drive?

[Gatto]

What is the speed of the drive? (4200, 5400, 7200, 10000rpm) - anything below 7200 will seem v slow.