Data transfer issues between two HDs on separate channels

[voodoochildbc]

Hi,

Recently I had to move some rather large files (about 15 at 700 megabytes a piece) between two hard drives with identical speeds, interfaces, etc. The issue is that my computer seems to come to a halt when this takes place; I can't really do anything else. My setup is one HD on the primary master w/ a DVD Rom on slave, and another HD on the secondary master with a burner as the slave. Neither CD drive is under load during these file transfers. My primary drive holds Windows XP, programs etc., and my secondary drive is used mostly for data such as mp3s, (basically anything non-executable). Is this the proper setup for two hard drives to allow the fastest transfer speed possible? Or is my "lag" due to some other external factor?

Thank you for your responses in advance.

-Brian

 

[Ice Czar]

Start > Run > (type) compmgmt.msc > event viewer > system
any errors or warnings?

are these files heavily fragmented?

see the FAQ > Corruption 101

Check that DMA is enabled
see FAQ > Partitioning and Optimizing Tutorial

 

[ameoba]

I'd say you don't have DMA turned on.

 

[voodoochildbc]

I'd say you don't have DMA turned on.

Yeah, that would be a likely culprit, but I just double-checked and it's on.

I usually defragment on a regular basis too, so I'm pretty sure that nothing's corrupt.

 

[Flying Fox]

Joys of IDE?

Sounds like you are maxing out both the IDE channels, even when you want to switch tasks how does the system talk to your swap file to get the right pages back to memory (as an example of other disk access)? It has nowhere to go but to wait for a break in the transfer which is few and far between as both HDs are busy.

You should already be better off doing it over 2 channels. Try copying the files onto the same drive and see what real slowness is.