topic Performance problem sz3 pausing harddisk in PCs & Accessories

Performance problem sz3 pausing harddisk

mschipperheyn — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 07:25:20 GMT

Hi,

I have a performance problem with my sz3. The harddisk keeps pausing during intensive,long disk reads (e.g. startup, playing video's). You can see the harddisk light going out every other one or two seconds or so. I even notice it during playing of a Quicktime movie. Every other second or so, the sound stutters because of this.

I'm sure this is software related. The question is: how do you debug this issue and pinpoint it to the cuprit? I've been suspecting the antivirus suite, but I would not expect it to check every bit of data that is read from the harddisk. I haven't done a full system scan yet. Hmm, perhaps that could be the reason. I'll give that a go. Anyway, does anyone have other ideas?

Kind regards,

Marc

Re: Performance problem sz3 pausing harddisk

kee-lo_ — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 14:07:58 GMT

Have you gone into Control Panel > Power Schemes and set it to performance?

Re: Performance problem sz3 pausing harddisk

Blencogo — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 20:50:56 GMT

Is DMA (Direct Memory Access) enabled?

To check that DMA is enabled, go to Device Manager and expand 'IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers' and double-click on 'Primary IDE Channel' -> 'Advanced Settings'.

Re: Performance problem sz3 pausing harddisk

mschipperheyn — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 12:32:27 GMT

Well, the power scheme is set to VAIO optimized. I assume that is the right one. The machine is set to Speed.
DMA mode seems to be enabled.

Kind regards,

Marc

Re: Performance problem sz3 pausing harddisk

Blencogo — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 13:22:09 GMT

Hi Marc,

In the screen where you have Device ) and Device 1, you may have 'DMA if Available' selected, but in the box below does it actually say that a DMA Mode is being used?

Re: Performance problem sz3 pausing harddisk

mschipperheyn — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 07:35:37 GMT

I have two items identified as Primary IDE Channel.
The first one has the following settings:
Device 0
Device type: Auto detection
Transfer mode: DMA if available
Current transfer mode: Ultra DMA mode 5

Device 1
Device type: Auto detection
Transfer mode: DMA if available
Current transfer mode: Not Applicable

The second one has the following settings
Device 0
Device type: Auto detection
Transfer mode: DMA if available
Current transfer mode: Ultra DMA mode 2

Device 1
Device type: Auto detection
Transfer mode: DMA if available
Current transfer mode: Not Applicable

Kind regards,

Marc

Re: Performance problem sz3 pausing harddisk

mschipperheyn — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 08:10:04 GMT

Well, after turning all non-Windows services one by one, it seems the culprit is the VAIO Event Service. After turning it off, a long quicktime runs flawlessly where before it stuttered ever other x seconds. This service has been given me more problems. When I reboot my machine I have to cycle the service to enable the function keys to work.

Is there any way to update this software?

Kind regards,

Marc

Re: Performance problem sz3 pausing harddisk

kee-lo_ — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 12:54:36 GMT

Suprise suprise, typical - I hate that program

Re: Performance problem sz3 pausing harddisk

mschipperheyn — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 14:38:27 GMT

Problem is, I need it to manage my function keys. I assume there's no other way? Well, I'm going to try to reinstall it from the drivers and utilities package.

Re: Performance problem sz3 pausing harddisk

kee-lo_ — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 14:40:45 GMT

I think you can just simply disable the service:

http://www.beemerworld.com/tips/servicesxp.htm

Re: Performance problem sz3 pausing harddisk

mschipperheyn — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 14:55:12 GMT

Yes, that is no problem. In fact I have just rebooted after re-installing the event service and disabling it. After reinstalling it still showed the stuttering harddisk syndrom. After disabling and rebooting it didn't anymore.

However, I'm now left without my function keys. I can't manage sounds, brightness and beamer switch with the keyboard anymore. Pretty crucial stuff for me. So now, I suppose I'm looking for a service that can turn those back on again without destroying performance.

BTW, it seems unbelievable to me that such a key component malfunctions in such a performance killing way. I wonder if there is some kind of destructive interaction or lack thereof with another service that is the reason.

Kind regards,

Marc

Re: Performance problem sz3 pausing harddisk

mikezoe — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 17:04:07 GMT

I have same problem with slowing up of loading the OS, application loading and running apps including video from the HD with a SZ1XP/C and have sent it back to Sony for repair. Will post as soon as I can relate what Sony say. Incidentally, running the HD test program HDDScan2.8 shows clearly that the laptop reading function from the HD is hiccupping every 3 seconds and taking >500ms to read a single sector (normal reading time should be 5ms). This means the read heads are returning to rest with the clicking sound and corresponding with the orange HD activity light. B4 returning to Sony I did a complete system restore, so it's impossible for it to be a software issue. The problem first arose after an earlier Sony repair for a completely dead laptop where they put in a new motherboard. I suspect the so called "clicking problem" discussed elsewhere in this forum is identical with this symptom.

Re: Performance problem sz3 pausing harddisk

mikezoe — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 13:00:07 GMT

As promised above I can tell you Sony are listing the following items as being replaced
HDD (MHV2100BH100GB) (S)
COMPLETE FPC FPC-41 (S)

The first is a new hard drive but what is the second item?

Re: Performance problem sz3 pausing harddisk

mikezoe — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 16:30:17 GMT

Hurray- got the laptop back yesterday and it's at last working as it should. No more jerky video and seems to do everything twice as fast as in recent months. No clicking either.