Re: Problem w/ Firewire External HDs [was Re: Problem unzipping files on external HD]
- From: Quaoar <quaoar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 11:36:50 -0700
ggull wrote:
This thread started on microsoft.public.windowsxp.general, when I had problems unzipping gigabyte size archives downloaded directly to an external firewire hard drive. Pegasus suggested I compare a file downloaded to an internal HD with that same file copied to the external HD using
> fc /b c:\big.zip f:\big.zip
and indeed that found differences, and also noted that the copy was shorter than the original (though right-click > properties shows they are the same "size"). Pegasus suggested I try a hardware group, so here I am.
I think the problem is more with the Firewire hw/sw on my computer than the hard drives per se, but I hope you can give me some ideas or point me to a more relevant group.
I have available multiple computers, external drives, and cables, and ran a bunch of tests that seem to show it is a problem with Firewire only, on the one computer only.
The computer in question is a Gateway 503GR, two internal SATA HDs, DVD, CD drives, nothing else connected to the ports except a USB printer (lj 1012). WinXP HE SP2, all relevant updates.
Here are the test -- skip to the end at any time --
Test 1) External HD #1 -- 160 GB Acomdata Dual Firewire/USB FAILS
Firewire, cable 1, rear port on computer. Internal drive J:, external F:
Copy J:\SCRATCH\big.zip to F:\SCRATCH\big.zip
fc /b j:\.scratch\big.zip f:\scratch\big.zip
FC seems to be finding clumps of difference ... i.e. outputs a bunch of lines, pauses, outputs more, pauses, etc. Maybe 5 or 10 clumps, dozens or at most hundreds of lines each.
Total number of lines longer than buffer available in command prompt, but here are last few
21343FFB: 00 15
21343FFC: B2 B7
21343FFD: FF 41
21343FFE: FF 8F
21343FFF: FF DD
FC: J:\SCRATCH\big.zip longer than F:\SCRATCH\BIG.ZIP
Test 2) Change cable and port. FAILS
HD #1
Firewire, Cable 2, front port
Copy...
fc ...
Similar differences, but with different detail. This time no "longer than" notice.
Test 3) Use USB connection: Note this is still same external HD: OK
HD # 1
USB, USB Cable 1, front USB port on computer.
File Compare output:
Comparing files J:\SCRATCH\big.zip and F:\SCRATCH\BIG.ZIP
FC: no differences encountered
Test 4) Try a different Firewire HD: FAILS
HD # 2, 250 GB Acomdata Firewire -- Drive M:
Firewire, cable 1, rear port on computer
Copy...
fc ...
Similar behavior, several patches of difference.
Test 5) Transfer the file big.zip to a second computer using DVD-RW. OK
This is a WIndows Me machine with Firewire but only USB1 Copied to HD#2 and ran FC -- no differences found.
If it matters the file system on the Gateway (XP) is NTFS, and on the Me machine and the external drives, FAT32.
SO ...
1) Am I correct in thinking this indicates a problem with Firewire on the Gateway?
2) How can I narrow it down further (eg hardware / software) and then fix it?
3) Lastly, why doesn't the system notice the bad write when copying to the external HD? I thought that data files (as opposed to audio CD files) had a bunch of built-in error detection and correction.
In all of this you don't mention if the external drive is DC powered or if you use only FW port power? I have seen this type of behavior on large files with a low-power notebook drive using single-port USB. With double-port USB or 5volt DC power there is no problem with this drive. I don't have any powered FW ports (notebooks only) so I've not had any opportunity to run on FW port power.
WRT your comment about the system checking CRC on the copied files, I never had any notice of file corruption - in fact in one early session, the entire disk structure became corrupt without any OS intervention.
Q
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