Strange transfer rates

Mikey1280 · 5 Feb 2006 at 17:10

I have just transferred an old 40GB IDE maxtor from my pc to my sis's pc. When it was teamed with my EPox 9NPA + ultra the average transfer rate measured using HDtach was about 50mb/s and the access time 14.6ms. I have moved it to an Abit AI7 mobo and the average transfer rate is only 12.3mb/s?! It is on its own channel and I didnt change the jumper settings, what is going on?

Mikey1280 · 6 Feb 2006 at 17:36

smids · 7 Feb 2006 at 00:30

Are the modes set correctly in BIOS? It should be DMA - and should be about 5 depending on the drive (some older ones are less).

Skilldibop · 7 Feb 2006 at 09:08

your definately using 80strand cable? cos if not it may well revert back to ATA80 or slower.
I wouldn't rule out a bjorked DMA controller either.
Did you use the same software to measure on the new board or did you just spew files to it and time it?

Chrizy_D.uk · 7 Feb 2006 at 13:13

Have a look in device manager under the ATA Controllers. Make sure they are operating the drive at its maximum speed.

Alexrose1uk · 7 Feb 2006 at 13:39

yes, if its not, windows might have it set to PIO. Try uninstalling the drive controllers, and letting windows reinstall them. That will revert them to peak speed.

Mikey1280 · 7 Feb 2006 at 17:40

I checked the device manager and all channels are set to DMA if availble. I will try changing the cables over later and switching channels. If I uninstall the drive controllers will I have to reinstall windows from the start? Can I uninstall the drive controllers from windows?

Alexrose1uk · 7 Feb 2006 at 23:16

you can uninstall the drive controllers from windows. When you reboot it will usually reinstall them, although have your mobo driver installer package nearby just in case it cant find the drivers.

benjo plz. · 7 Feb 2006 at 23:17

Strange. What memories your sisters pc got?

Mikey1280 · 8 Feb 2006 at 08:33

Its got 2x256mb of OCuk value RAM, I will try different cables and channels tonight.

Alexrose1uk · 8 Feb 2006 at 10:20

try setting RAM timings to CAS 2.5 8-4-4 timings. That should be utterly RAM stable on an un overclocked system, allowing you to concentrate on HD. Also, check in your BIOS incase the BIOS has the HD controllers set to DMA enabled, not PIO only.

Mikey1280 · 8 Feb 2006 at 13:24

I could not find the HD controllers in the BIOS only some thing about the channels which were set to auto, where are they on the ABit AI7? I may try loosening the timings but they are at 3-3-3-7 at the moment.