For strange reasons no one really understands, and probably never will, sometimes Windows decides to switch off DMA mode on drive controllers, which can have a dramatic impact on disk access rates.
Check on it, and even if it's enabled, set it to PIO mode, then back to DMA mode. You can't always trust Windows to report that accurately.
I searched the forums first for a solution but could not find one. This morning I ran PC Pitstop's full test. I've used it before and everything passed okay. But this morning I got this:
TIP > Unusually low disk performance
Drive C has an uncached speed of 3 megabytes per second.
For comparison, systems with the same CPU and clock speed as this one have a speed of 33.06 MB/s.
And my computer has really slowed down.
I ran BitDefender virus scan and Trend Micro's online scan and they both came up clean.
I defraged as PC Pitstop suggested.
I cleaned all my temporary files and did a disk cleanup.
Then I shut down BitDefender, ZoneAlarm, and Ewido...my only startup programs.
I ran PC Pitstop's test again and still got the same results.
My computer stays on 24/7 and has been for about 3 years.
Is my hard drive dying or is there some other possible solution? Thanks
--------[ EVEREST Home Edition (c) 2003, 2004 Lavalys, Inc. ]-----------------------------------------------------------
Version EVEREST v1.51.195
Homepage http://www.lavalys.com/
Report Type Quick Report
Computer BASEMENT (BASEMENT)
Generator Thomas
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600 (WinXP Retail)
Date 2006-02-21
Time 16:53
--------[ Summary ]-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Service Pack Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.2180 (IE 6.0 SP2)
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
Computer Name BASEMENT (BASEMENT)
User Name Thomas
Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Celeron 4A, 2400 MHz (24 x 100)
Motherboard Name Dell Dimension 2400
Motherboard Chipset Intel Brookdale-G i845G
System Memory 1024 MB (DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type Phoenix (09/19/03)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)
Display:
Video Adapter Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller (64 MB)
3D Accelerator Intel Extreme Graphics
Monitor Plug and Play Monitor [NoDB]
Multimedia:
Audio Adapter Intel 82801DB(M) ICH4(-M) - AC'97 Audio Controller [A-1]
Storage:
IDE Controller Intel(R) 82801DB Ultra ATA Controller
Disk Drive ST340014A (40 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
Optical Drive HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8483B (48x/32x/48x CD-RW)
SMART Hard Disks Status OK
Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 34632 MB (27697 MB free)
Input:
Keyboard Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse PS/2 Compatible Mouse
Network:
Network Adapter Belkin 54g Wireless USB Network Adapter (192.168.1.102)
Modem Intel(R) 537EP V9x DF PCI Modem
Peripherals:
Printer Broderbund PDF Converter 2.10d
Printer Dell Photo Printer 720
Printer hp photosmart 7350 series
USB1 Controller Intel 82801DB(M) ICH4(-M) - USB Controller [A-1]
USB1 Controller Intel 82801DB(M) ICH4(-M) - USB Controller [A-1]
USB1 Controller Intel 82801DB(M) ICH4(-M) - USB Controller [A-1]
USB2 Controller Intel 82801DB(M) ICH4(-M) - Enhanced USB2 Controller [A-1]
USB Device Belkin 54g Wireless USB Network Adapter
USB Device USB Printing Support
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