Old Dell 9300: HD Transfer down 2.5 MB/sec after XP updates?

crashnburn · **Posted:** Sat Oct 22, 2011 1:51 am

Old Dell 9300: HD Transfer Speed down to 2.5 MB/sec after some Windows Updates?

This was an old laptop that I kept for my mother to use for her once a blue moon usage. Big screen and convenient.

Off late I had some data on it that I wanted to have so I transferred a bunch through USB to external 2.5" HDD as well as via Ethernet network.

Speeds were 15-18 MBps.

Then while it was on the network it kind of wanted to update the OS with patches. So I let it do that.

The next time I tried a Network or USB Transfer the speeds crawled to 2.5 MBPS.

I figured something was wrong with USB since XP updates.

But today I ran HD Tune and it shows HDD Max & Avg speed at 2.4 Mbps.

What happened? Why is it croaking slow now?

Quote:

HD Tune: ST980825A Benchmark

Transfer Rate Minimum : 1.5 MB/sec
Transfer Rate Maximum : 2.4 MB/sec
Transfer Rate Average : 2.4 MB/sec
Access Time : 16.9 ms
Burst Rate : 2.4 MB/sec
CPU Usage : 99.3%

BootSectorVirus · **Posted:** Mon Jul 23, 2012 8:21 pm

Do a Microsoft system restore, pick a restore date before the updates were applied, see if the speed comes back.

If it does return to normal, apply updates one at a time and reboot until you find the culprit.

Unknown_K · **Posted:** Tue Jul 24, 2012 3:45 pm

CPU usage of 99.3% means the drive isn't being used with DMA transfers, should be under 5% in normal use. Most likely a driver issue or the drive is junk (overheated).

When you ran HDtune did you check the tab for "health"? The info tab will tell you what drive speed is supported and which is currently active.

Majestic · **Posted:** Tue Jul 24, 2012 4:42 pm

If I'm reading the original post right....... it's from 2011. :eek:

I'm guessing either the OP's problem is fixed or the laptop has long since been recycled.
Nothing else, good info for future Googlers.

Unknown_K · **Posted:** Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:54 pm

Yea, didn't notice that just the guy ahead of me replying today.

crashnburn · **Posted:** Mon Jul 30, 2012 1:01 pm

Got fixed a while back but did not get to post a response here.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-in ... dates.html

[quote name="gabiz_ro" url="/t/238437/old-dell-9300-hd-transfer-speed-down-to-2-5-mb-sec-after-some-windows-updates#post_3274654"]Maybe HDD stuck in PIO mode
Check this
IDE ATA and ATAPI disks use PIO mode after multiple time-out or CRC errors occur[/quote]

Thanks. That was the issue and no one was able to point it out. I did the WORKAROUND in the article.

I wonder if there is a QuickFix without having to install a full service pack?

Code:

HD Tune Benchmark after the fix: 

Min: 7.2
Max 43.9
Avg: 32.1
AT: 16.0ms
Burst: 51.6
CPU Usage: 3.5%

Old Dell 9300: HD Transfer down 2.5 MB/sec after XP updates?

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