Delay in spinning up - 7200rpm hard drive

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michaelj · #1 Post by **michaelj** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 11:30 pm

I decided to replace my 5400rpm 40GB with a 7K60.

Although my TP is a shade faster, I very often notice a delay when I am browsing a website and I click on a link. I can hear the drive spin up and then the new page loads. The delay is usually 1-2 secs, and I notice it tends to happen more when I have been on the same page for a minute or so, and then click on a link.

I don't remember this happening before I switched drives, and I don't notice it when I am using other applications - just web browsing.

My power settings are on High System performance with the AC adapter plugged in.

It's quite annoying. I wonder if anyone else has noticed this problem. I also wonder if it has anything to do with my system board not being designed for a faster hard drive - I have a 2373-6VU.

CoolRunnings · #2 Post by **CoolRunnings** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 11:47 pm

Do you have Norton Ghost installed? What type of Internet access do you have? If you have cable, you could boot to safe mode with networking and see if it happens there. That would confirm whether or not it's a software problem...

michaelj · #3 Post by **michaelj** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 12:05 am

I don't have Norton Ghost.
I'll try your safe mode with networking suggestion and post back.
Thnx

darkhelmet03 · #4 Post by **darkhelmet03** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 12:53 am

This is due to advanced power management enabled on the drive.

It does spin up/down every X seconds to conserve power, but this is detrimental to its responsiveness. (it's good though to have when on battery)

You somehow have to disable it. I own a 5400 rpm hdd and with APM enabled the exact same thing happens...

pdudas · #5 Post by **pdudas** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 3:18 am

There is a program called ftool.exe.
You can download it from www.HGST.com
This is a feature tool for Hitachi drives.

You have to change the APM settings of the drive.
There is 3 state.
Active, low power idle, standby.
Your drive is in standby state, so when it is not necessary the drive stop the motor.

You should use low power idle, in this state the drive keeps spinning, but the power consumption is very low.

http://www.hitachigst.com/downloads/ftool_196.iso

michaelj · #6 Post by **michaelj** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 8:03 am

Thanks pdudas
This sounds like it could be the solution. The file I downloaded is an iso image. Do you kn ow if this can be burned to CD as a manual I downloaded with instructions from Hitachi only talks about floppies, and I don't have a diskette drive.

I'm amazed what is out there if you know where to look!

pdudas · #7 Post by **pdudas** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 8:13 am

Use IBM recordnow.
This is installed on your thinkpad by default.

You can use Nero, Alcohol120% or other Cd burning software.

michaelj · #8 Post by **michaelj** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 8:56 am

I found the download page and there is a bootable CD version which I burned.

There was a horizontal sliding scale, and my drive was set for the middle of the 3 parameters between power saving and max performance. I moved the parameter to max performance, and now we'll see what happens.

This looks like a brilliant tool and exactly what I needed. I will test it out but already it feels like it is working. No lag as I write this post, and this one of the sites where I typically noticed the problem- reading this forum is my bedtime reading most nights (I think my wife thinks I'm a sad case).

Once again this forum comes through with the answers.......

pdudas, thank you.

Batuta · #9 Post by **Batuta** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 12:22 pm

michaelj · #10 Post by **michaelj** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 4:59 pm

That's an interesting thought.
I think I will check with Hitachigst support and ask their
opinion.

michaelj · #11 Post by **michaelj** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 5:16 pm

I spoke to hgst support.
They agreed their is a marginal increased risk by having the drive on max performance. Also their will be less battery life and an increase in heat. However, heat is not a problem on a TP under normal usuage, battery performance is not an issue for me, and TP's do have "active protection" which the rep was unaware of!

Thanks for the warning.
Mike

M@X · #12 Post by **M@X** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 9:28 am

On the HITACHI's website in the TRAVELSTAR section they are
showing 2 models running @ 72000rpm.

The Travelstar E7K60

and the Travelstar 7K60

Any idea what is the MAIN difference between the 2

Thanks

#13 Post by **JHEM** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 10:09 am

The E7K60 HD is for "Extended" 24/7 use, such as in a Blade.

The "E" drive had a longer MTBF than the regular 7K60, but I never considered it worth the extra money to get the E over the regular drive.

However, the last few times I checked prices I found the E for less money than the 7K60. Go figure.

7K60: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDe ... ode=100519

E7K60: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDe ... e=100519-1

Regards,

James

Delay in spinning up - 7200rpm hard drive

Delay in spinning up - 7200rpm hard drive

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