BleepingComputer.com > How do I Defraging a 250GB external hard drive?

Full Version: How do I Defraging a 250GB external hard drive?

BleepingComputer.com > Hardware > Internal Hardware

codajohn

Jan 11 2005, 11:41 AM

Hello,
I need some info on defraging an external maxtor 250GB hard drive. I made the drive with a CompUSA usb 2.0 case and the hard drive. I formated it in FAT32 because of the need to use it on my win98se desktop and lapxp. The only problem I have is that it took about 16 hours to defrag using the win98se using Norton System Works Speed Disk ver.2003, and using diskkeeper pro. 9. on my lapxp it seemed to hang around 23% done. Made a grinding sound before I stopped it. I stopped the process and ran an analysis using diskkeeper. It said it was "healthy". I also had problems stopping the external drive. I tried using the Saftly Remove Hardware function, but it wouldn't stop. I just turned it off at that point. How do I maintain the drive correctly. The drive is just for backup and storage so I only have one partion.
Thanks,
Codajohn

Grinler

Jan 11 2005, 12:55 PM

Defragging drives over USB is going to be slow. There is not much that can be done about that. If you have USB 2.0 it may help a bit but will still be slwoer than a normal hard drive.

Found this:

QUOTE

How to safely dismount and turn off the Drive with the computer running

1. Locate the System Tray. The System Tray includes the time display in the bottom right, and icons to the left of the time. One of the icons will be an icon with a green, diagonal arrow on it.

2. Left-click on this icon. On Windows 98SE*Grinler a rectangle will appear with the name of the Drive followed by the drive letter.On Windows 2000/XP you will receive the alert message “Safely Remove…” or “Stop…” followed by the drive letter for the device.

3. Left-click on the appropriate device (with the drive letter matching the one used by the External Hard Drive). After a few seconds, Windows will give you a message that it is safe to remove the device.

4. Click OK. The Drive will dismount and you can then safely turn if off. You may then unplug the power cord and USB 2.0 cable if you want to disconnect the drive.

codajohn

Jan 11 2005, 01:02 PM

Grinler,
I understand about the slowness. How about the hanging at 23% done with diskkeeper and the hard drive not stopping when stopping the defraging function?
Thanks,
Codajohn

Grinler

Jan 11 2005, 01:25 PM

That I am not sure about. COuld be as simple as the fact that its having problems defragging it through usb

codajohn

Jan 11 2005, 01:44 PM

Thanks Grinler.
I'll do some investigating. If I find any info I'll pass it on.
By the way, thanks for the hijacking information. It's nice to have my Browser back.
Codajohn

This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.