copying External HDD > External HDD causes hang

[gordi]

Hi there,
I can't figure this out!

Toshiba Satellite A80 (psa80a-05z009)
1.6GHz
504 MB of RAM

XP Home edition
SP3

I was backing up one HD (MEDION MD90046, 250GB, USB) to another via USB, when the computer decided to go into standby (I thought I turned that off!).  It got stuck on the 'going into standby' screen and I turned it off and on at the power.

When I tried to backup the same drives again the computer started acting up, hang on a screen for ages, nothing copies, slow, ...

"Delayed Write Failed, $Mft" and other filenames with $

Formatted the destination.  Same

Changed the drive letters.  Same

Tried to backup to another HD.  Same

Tried to backup on another computer.  No problem, everything copies.

But on my computer, the same behaviour.

The strange thing is that the drive functions perfectly when it is alone (will copy from and to internal HD), but sometimes as soon as another drive is connected to the USB the computer gets slow again.  Sometimes it hangs completely.  Sometimes it starts acting funny first when I try to copy something.

Well, thanks, if you have any ideas!

[DaveLembke]

USB Bandwidth saturation can be a cause as well as the fact that the computer has to precache all data copied from point A to point B so you probably also see the local HD of the laptop on constant through this process or lots of activity. If you know the laptop doesnt cut it then copy the one ext HD to the other ext HD with the desktop system.

*also.... if these are 2.5" mini external hard drives powered off of the USB port instead of the larger devices with the ac adapters you could be pulling down your USB BUS voltage which can lead to these issues. This problem can be fixed by use of a Powered USB HUB which powers the devices off of an ac adapter vs off of the laptops power which is VERY LIMITED in wattage.

[gordi]

Thanks for your response, Dave.

USB Bandwidth saturation can be a cause...

Interesting idea.  But the problem started quite suddenly - as described - the process of copying from one drive to the other was interrupted.  Beforehand no problem with these same drives.

...then copy the one ext HD to the other ext HD with the desktop system.

The computer which managed to copy is another laptop, generally inferior to mine.  And I have no other computer.   

*also.... if these are 2.5" mini external hard drives powered off of the USB port...

All the drives are 3.5" with own power supply.

[gordi]

I tried to back up just now.  Here's what happened:

I'm using the source drive every day, and I have no problems.

I attach the backup, I get "Delayed Write Failed... could not write K:/."

I try to backup with program SyncBack.  Nothing copies, every file has the result:

Failed to copy source: Cannot create folder: K:\H\FILE (The system cannot find the file specified)

I get "Delayed Write Failed... could not write K:/$Mft"

I can't safely remove the drive, it always says try again later.

Any ideas out there?

[patio]

The minimal amount of RAM could possibly be a factor as it is getting thrashed with data in this operation...
The other factor could be the HDD's actual health.
DLoad and run the diagnostics from the drive manuf. site.

[gordi]

The minimal amount of RAM could possibly be a factor as it is getting thrashed with data in this operation...
The other factor could be the HDD's actual health.
DLoad and run the diagnostics from the drive manuf. site.

Thanks Patio,
Medion suggested SeaTools for Windows which I found here.

I ran some tests:

--------------- SeaTools for Windows v1.1.1.0 ---------------
9/07/2009 10:26:06 PM
Unit Serial: W -D
Unit Model: WDC WD2500JB-00REA0
Firmware Revision: 20.00K20
Short DST - Started 9/07/2009 10:26:17 PM
Short DST - Pass 9/07/2009 10:28:09 PM
Short Generic - Started 9/07/2009 10:48:09 PM
Short Generic - Pass 9/07/2009 10:49:54 PM
Identify - Started 9/07/2009 11:05:32 PM
Identify - Pass 9/07/2009 11:05:36 PM
SMART: Supported and enabled
48-bit Address feature set supported: True
Max LBA: 488397169
Host Protected Area features: Supported and enabled
Mandatory Power Management: Supported and enabled
Security Mode: Supported not enabled
SET MAX security extension: Supported not enabled
Advanced Power Managment: Not Supported
Download Firmware: False
SMART self-test supported: True
SMART error logging supported: True
Drive Temperature(C/F): 31/88
Power-On Hours: 218


It doesn't give me the impression of being related to low RAM. 
1. The same operation with two other external drives runs fine. 
2. The same operation used to run fine before the incident described occured.
3. Attaching another drive to the system immediately has a noticeable effect on performance:  the second drive isn't recognised, the system just hangs on random things related to the drives.

To reiterate, the drives all function fine when they are connected individually or in combination without this Medion. 

I will try to find new firmware once I've taken it to my friend's for a backup.

I really appreciate any help, I can't afford to keep buying new harddrives, and this is the second with this kind of problem.

Thanks!!

Leo

[patio]

Have you replaced the data cable and tried a different Molex connector ? ?

[gordi]

Two external drives

[patio]

Gotcha...Ooooops.

[gordi]

Even geniuses make mistakes

[BC_Programmer]

Is This laptop capable of USB 2.0, or just USB 1.1?

The older one, would be using 1.1 as well, but, bear in mind that the USB controller might simply be better designed.

[patio]

I'm far from a genius...that's for certain.