Vista makes non-stop hard disk activities

Peter Tsang

Peter Tsang

Peter Tsang

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23 Dec 2008
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642
Hi folks,

I have a problem here. Reinstall Windows Vista Ultimte 32bits version. Found a phenomenon: the disk goes on revolving after login in for something like 15 minutes then it stops. Then after 1 or 2 minutes, it starts moving again for a few flashes then it halts again. This cycle happens when I am not touching the keyboard at all.

Now what's going on with the first 15 minutes? I heard that Vista defrag its registry upon login is that true, it is really disturbing beacuse it lags awfully.
 
Isn't this just the disk indexing thing getting up to speed after a new install? Takes a few days or so to complete, often, but then it should calm down.
 
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Leaving it on should shorten the process of it completing the initial index, yes. I believe that the indexing is primarily used to speed up the system-wide search, but others may know more detail.

If you want to find out whether it's the indexing, you could try turning off the service for a bit and see if it makes any difference.
 
Indexing and caching as you've done a fresh install, it'll clam down. The slowness after login can be solved using readyboost (a USB 2 memory stick that maintains a copy of your superfetch information)

Disabling the indexing will slow down searching if/when you search, depends how much you use the feature.
 
Dolph said:
The slowness after login can be solved using readyboost (a USB 2 memory stick that maintains a copy of your superfetch information)
Click to expand...

Or by using hibernate instead of shutdown. Basically it 'dumps' the contents of ram (including the superfetch cache) to disk, before powering off your computer. On startup, the OS loads this 'dump' back into ram and you continue where you left off.

I hardly ever shutdown my machines - hibernate is the way forward :)
 
I don't search because I have also install ReadyState, so after every reboot my image is restored anyway. I guess I disable indexing then, if it doesn't affect the overall operation. My pC is mainly for games really!

What is readyboost? Sorry for the dumb question, I am a Vista n00b really!
 
Peter Tsang said:
I don't search because I have also install ReadyState, so after every reboot my image is restored anyway. I guess I disable indexing then, if it doesn't affect the overall operation. My pC is mainly for games really!
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with readystate, what does it do? (I've had a quick google but can't find much)

What is readyboost? Sorry for the dumb question, I am a Vista n00b really!
Click to expand...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ReadyBoost

Basically a means of storing the superfetch cache (vista's program caching system that speeds up program loads by pre-loading common programs into ram) on a USB stick.
 
Sorry, typo, it was SteadyState which I meant.
Because everytime I boot up the machine, it restores the fresh install state of Windows, looks like I don't need ReadyBoost nor Indexing. Is it possible to disable ReadyBoost from the Services Table? Is this effectively equal to using the USB flash drive as suggested by Windows' Help?
 
Peter Tsang said:
Sorry, typo, it was SteadyState which I meant.
Because everytime I boot up the machine, it restores the fresh install state of Windows, looks like I don't need ReadyBoost nor Indexing. Is it possible to disable ReadyBoost from the Services Table? Is this effectively equal to using the USB flash drive as suggested by Windows' Help?
Click to expand...

Ah, I would actually say that configuration isn't a good idea with vista, because one of vista's big party tricks (superfetch) won't work. You'll be missing out on one of the best vista technologies with that setup. Unless there's a specific reason why you need steadystate of course, I'd suggest dropping it on a home setup.

You don't need to disable readyboost, it won't activate unless you put a USB stick in and choose the option to activate it. Readyboost is the USB flash drive thing from windows help.

If you're using steadystate, definitely disable indexing, and may as well disable superfetch as well, because it's not going to do anything to help you.
 
Peter Tsang said:
I already have 4GB for Vista, why do I need superfetch to have more RAM obtained from a USB drive?
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Superfetch isn't that. Superfetch is the technology whereby Vista learns your usage patterns, and caches commonly used programs in ram in a non-consumptive way (the ram is still technically free and available for all programs running on the system), leading to a dramatic increase in loading times and makes the system feel much snappier.

(watching photoshop taken 3 secs to open rather than 30-40 for example)

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/windows-vista-superfetch-and-readyboostanalyzed,1532.html
 
Folks,
I have worked it out!

The trick is the indexing feature associated with the hard disk. I am working on MyBook which is connected to the P5Q Deluxe via eSATA cable.

I remove the index option from the hard disk. I also tuned the Power Option, it more or less helps a bit too.

I installed call of Duty World At War which took 17 minutes on the MyBook. Then I rebooted to start Vista 64 bits on the internal VelociRaptor drive. The Vista on the VelociRaptor has not been tuned like the MyBook. It took 37 miutes to complete the Call of Duty World at War installation!!

It is the index option and the index feature of the hard drive which makes the hard drive busy all the time. What a eprformance issue it is, perhaps not many people has noticed it.


By the way, Vista's Windows Aero is so cool, but you have to run the "Update my Score " in the Performance Information and Tools window. By the way I am very glad that I have a base score of 5.6 where the processor is 5.9, Memory 5.6, Graphics 5.9, Gaming Graphics 5.9, Primary Hard disk (MyBook) is 5.8. Quite even!

Anyone has high base score??
 
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