Raptest at DVinfo.net

Andre De Clercq · October 18th, 2004, 06:30 AM

When I run "Raptest" on my C drive the results in writing speed vary from 4 to 34 Mb/sec. Everything is "clean"(defrag...) The disk has 33% free space. Disabling virusscan doesn't change the allways changing results. I think my disk is "getting old"(though no bad sectors!) and gets out of tolerance so that the packet writing applied in Raptest has to be redone sometimes. Any advise?

Jeff Donald · October 18th, 2004, 07:16 AM

Could it be some kind of thermal calibration causing the slow down?

Rob Lohman · October 18th, 2004, 07:26 AM

1. I don't know "raptest", not every test program ou there is good or reliable

2. harddisks always change in throughput speed since more data is packed in the inner ring than the other ring on the same space

3. does this test you are running have a name? You normally have average tests, maximum throughput etc. etc.

Andre De Clercq · October 18th, 2004, 08:03 AM

Rob, Raptest/Rextest is pretty well accepted in the DV amateur world. You can free download it from http://www.canopus.us/US/products/fr..._utilities.asp.
Jeff, the HDD is not that old so it's not a type that needs TC.

Rob Lohman · October 18th, 2004, 08:06 AM

Is there any other device on the SAME cable as this IDE drive?
What operating system are you running?

Andre De Clercq · October 18th, 2004, 09:01 AM

Yes Rob, a CDRW is connected as a slave on the primary IDE channel. The OS is XPpro SP2

Mike Rehmus · October 18th, 2004, 09:02 PM

I think you are seeing the reason it is advisable not to use the C drive for video. Windows has absolute control over that drive and will go to it at random times, locking out any other activity. That may well be why you see such a variation in the speed.

RapTest is indeed a good indicator of drive speed. I've been using the RexTest for the past 6 years with no problems. They are essentially the same program.

Andre De Clercq · October 19th, 2004, 09:20 AM

Thanks Mike, could well be the reason and maybe XP is even more active in claiming my C-drive than W2k used to be. The dips were there too but never below 15Mbs

Rob Lohman · October 20th, 2004, 03:11 AM

Although XP might do that, it really shouldn't. I would first
disconnect the CDRW from the primary IDE channel and run the
tests again. I'm pretty sure your drive is running in a lower UDMA
mode due to this burner being on there. Either move it to the
other IDE channel or get some extra IDE channels with a PCI
card like the ones from Promise or Adaptec.

Andre De Clercq · October 20th, 2004, 03:34 AM

Rob I will "play"with it and report later on. B.t.w. the C drive is on the primary master (CS) and the controller for that channel shows Ultra DMA 5. There are more devices installed on the PC and one of them (a videodisk) is on a PCI card (HTP366 from Abit)

October 18th, 2004, 06:30 AM	#1
Andre De Clercq Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 804	Raptest When I run "Raptest" on my C drive the results in writing speed vary from 4 to 34 Mb/sec. Everything is "clean"(defrag...) The disk has 33% free space. Disabling virusscan doesn't change the allways changing results. I think my disk is "getting old"(though no bad sectors!) and gets out of tolerance so that the packet writing applied in Raptest has to be redone sometimes. Any advise?

October 18th, 2004, 07:16 AM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Could it be some kind of thermal calibration causing the slow down? __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

October 18th, 2004, 07:26 AM	#3
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	1. I don't know "raptest", not every test program ou there is good or reliable 2. harddisks always change in throughput speed since more data is packed in the inner ring than the other ring on the same space 3. does this test you are running have a name? You normally have average tests, maximum throughput etc. etc. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

October 18th, 2004, 08:06 AM	#5
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Is there any other device on the SAME cable as this IDE drive? What operating system are you running? __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

October 18th, 2004, 09:02 PM	#7
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	I think you are seeing the reason it is advisable not to use the C drive for video. Windows has absolute control over that drive and will go to it at random times, locking out any other activity. That may well be why you see such a variation in the speed. RapTest is indeed a good indicator of drive speed. I've been using the RexTest for the past 6 years with no problems. They are essentially the same program. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

October 18th, 2004, 08:03 AM	#4
Andre De Clercq Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 804	Rob, Raptest/Rextest is pretty well accepted in the DV amateur world. You can free download it from http://www.canopus.us/US/products/fr..._utilities.asp. Jeff, the HDD is not that old so it's not a type that needs TC.

October 18th, 2004, 09:01 AM	#6
Andre De Clercq Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 804	Yes Rob, a CDRW is connected as a slave on the primary IDE channel. The OS is XPpro SP2

October 19th, 2004, 09:20 AM	#8
Andre De Clercq Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 804	Thanks Mike, could well be the reason and maybe XP is even more active in claiming my C-drive than W2k used to be. The dips were there too but never below 15Mbs

October 20th, 2004, 03:11 AM	#9
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Although XP might do that, it really shouldn't. I would first disconnect the CDRW from the primary IDE channel and run the tests again. I'm pretty sure your drive is running in a lower UDMA mode due to this burner being on there. Either move it to the other IDE channel or get some extra IDE channels with a PCI card like the ones from Promise or Adaptec. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

October 20th, 2004, 03:34 AM	#10
Andre De Clercq Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 804	Rob I will "play"with it and report later on. B.t.w. the C drive is on the primary master (CS) and the controller for that channel shows Ultra DMA 5. There are more devices installed on the PC and one of them (a videodisk) is on a PCI card (HTP366 from Abit)