Copying Large Files

[astral]

I have an external SATA disk (300Gb) which I use with my notebook.

Back up and bulk storage.

I have large video files on there 6-800Mb each. It works well

I have just bought a new 300Gb IDE also in an external usb case.

When I try to copy large files from the notebook to the new IDE disk it just sits there and the activity

light flashes once very 30 seconds or so and the time for the copy goes 12 min - 18 min - 40 min and so on.

Some files reach the disk, but others do not.

After 40 minutes or so the disk just disappears and I have to unplug the usb and reconnect

and suddenly it is back?

It looks to me like a duff external case??

Or what?

Thanks

[Guest Reimar]

I have an external SATA disk (300Gb) which I use with my notebook.

Back up and bulk storage.

I have large video files on there 6-800Mb each. It works well

I have just bought a new 300Gb IDE also in an external usb case.

When I try to copy large files from the notebook to the new IDE disk it just sits there and the activity

light flashes once very 30 seconds or so and the time for the copy goes 12 min - 18 min - 40 min and so on.

Some files reach the disk, but others do not.

After 40 minutes or so the disk just disappears and I have to unplug the usb and reconnect

and suddenly it is back?

It looks to me like a duff external case??

Or what?

Thanks

I think is the external case!

If I'm you I would take the external case with HDD in and my Laptop and go to the supplier if the Case and show them! And they should just exchange the case and you can test directly!

[h90]

I have an external SATA disk (300Gb) which I use with my notebook.

Back up and bulk storage.

I have large video files on there 6-800Mb each. It works well

I have just bought a new 300Gb IDE also in an external usb case.

When I try to copy large files from the notebook to the new IDE disk it just sits there and the activity

light flashes once very 30 seconds or so and the time for the copy goes 12 min - 18 min - 40 min and so on.

Some files reach the disk, but others do not.

After 40 minutes or so the disk just disappears and I have to unplug the usb and reconnect

and suddenly it is back?

It looks to me like a duff external case??

Or what?

Thanks

I had recently an external HD burned out, the complete electronic part burned out......

And before there were strange effects similar to yours.

The data recovery company told me they have a lot cases from external HD with cheap power supplies.

So be warned....

Michael

[Tywais]

It looks to me like a duff external case??

Or what?

Thanks

I've had cases without sufficient power to handle 300GB drives and if it is marginal (power supply) you can get symptoms like this.

[Crossy]

Also, check the jumper setting on the drive, some external boxes don't like the CS (cable select) setting, use Master instead.

[astral]

It looks to me like a duff external case??

Or what?

Thanks

I've had cases without sufficient power to handle 300GB drives and if it is marginal (power supply) you can get symptoms like this.

Now that is an interetsing comment.

The old PSU is 2A the new on 1.5A.

I have a replacement case and am not sure it is any better.

Currently backing up copied data to DVD with old PSU in place.

Speed about right 4X, 15 min for 4Gb.

(Nero is a cpu hog. 100% doing the copy to DVD. )

Will then try some new copying to the disk and see what happens.

USB lead is loose which causes disconnects.

Strap was set to CS, but I had already set to master.

Will report more tomorrow.

Thanks to all

[astral]

I have backed up all the files I had already archived on the new drive, to DVD.

Not fast, but not slow either, about 15-30 min per 4Gb. (many 6-800Mb avi files)

I am now using a File Sync programme to copy data from the internal disk to the new external...............

Plenty io disk activity which is re-assuring. Still in progress, for a total of 20Gb.

Perhaps I was just hitting the known problem of XP (and Vista)'s ability to copy large files in an efficient manner??

If so, SHAME on you MICROSOFT for not having fixed the problem after all these years.

[wpcoe]

Did the IDE external HDD case come with a special USB cable with two USB connectors at one end? And, if so, are you plugging them BOTH into USB outlets on the host desktop PC?

I was stymied with a simple 2.5" external USB case until I was told that in order for the case to draw enough current from the host desktop machine, it needed to draw current from TWO USB ports.

Mind you, if your USB case has an external power supply, this would not apply, of course.

[astral]

3.5" disk with external power.

It must have been the case as all seems well now.

Thanks to all.