slow USB2.0 external

[steakman1971]

I have a Western Digital 500GB external drive that has USB2.0 and SATA interface. I have this plugged into Windows XP in a USB2.0 port. For some reason, file copies are very slow. It also slows down my computer (although you don't see any activity in task manager - it is slow to type, refresh windows, etc).
I checked my BIOS. USB is set for USB2.0, 480MBS. When I check device manager, it shows it as a USB2.0 device.
Next, I disabled my McAfee virus scanner and a few other programs I thought might interfere with it. No help.

I did a Google search. Someone mentioned IRQ conflicts. I haven't had to deal with IRQ's in a long time. I have my doubts.

Any ideas on this? I tried to copy a file that was 2.5gb to it - it was reporting 150 minutes.

Another idea I have: get an external SATA bracket and run my drive off that. It'd be faster anyway. My mobo has extra SATA ports. I don't transport the drive too often - so it'd work for me.

 

[SockMan!]

If it takes 150 minutes to transfer 2.5GBs, then something is definitely wrong. Hard to say what it is exactly without experimentation. Have you tried putting the hard drive out of the enclosure and putting it inside a computer (if you can do this)? What about using a different cable or USB port?

I'd also recommend trying out eSATA (like you mentioned with the SATA bracket). That might solve the problem if the issue is the USB controllers/ports. Regardless, eSATA is much faster than USB.

 

[steakman1971]

I've used the external on my laptop before - it works fine on it. I'm wondering if I might have a driver or BIOS issue.
Anyway, I think I'm going to get the eSATA bracket and give that a shot. I can get a bracket for under $10. I'd rather have the speed anyway.