slow performance when copy files

Scenario:
Compaq ML370 /Raid5 /W2K with SP1.
Two partitions C:\ and D:\.
If I copy a file (128MB) from C:\ to C:\ it takes 3-4sec, if I do the same thing on D:\ the same operation take’s 30sec.
Note: there is no problem if I move the file only when I copy.

What’s the point to do this, nothing. But the application that we have copies and create tons of files on D:\ then the problem arises for us.

Workaround: anyone with a solution Thanks.

 

Your results aren't really surprising when you consider how information is handled by your system.

When you use the MOVE command, the system doesn't really "move" anything. It merely renames it in the File Tables of the drive.

When you use the COPY command, the data is actually written to another area of the drive and new references are created in the File Table of that drive so that both copies can be located separately.

Obviously it is much better/faster to use the MOVE command whenever possible. The snag is, it just isn't always possible. You can only apply it to files that are "moved" to different locations on the same disk. In your case for example, you cannot use the MOVE command to "move" data from the C: drive to the D: drive unless the drive are actually on the same disk. You may think you are but the operating system will select to move the data in the only way it can, it invokes the COPY command when you try that scenario. Then when complete, it deletes the data from the original location. You can understand why all that takes longer. That's how Windows works. If you attempt the same thing in DOS, you'll get an error message, so Windows is sparing you that and doing the work using other means.

If you indeed only have one disk, with two partitions, then the software may be invoking the wrong command due to poor programming. Another possibility is that the software needs to actually create two copies (maybe for backups) and must use the copy command as versus the move command. What software is this?

Perhaps a solution in your case would be to somehow configure your offending software so that it confines its activity to only one partition. That may or may not be possible, depends on the application and how much room you have on the partition in question. It may require resizing of the partition at the very least.

Post back if ??

 

Thanks, but I don’t think this will resolve my problem.

I know the difference in copy and move files (I hope).That I don’t understand is why this big difference in time between C: and D: partition.

The Raid is hardware Raid5 with 3 drivers and 2 partitions C: and D:, if I copy files from one of the partitions it should be the same results and not like in my case that the C: is 3 times faster than D: (same disks but different partitions).

I have been on Microsoft’s and Compaq’s web site and search on similar problems, found some interesting articles but not quite the same problem as mine.
MS has a hot fix for slow performance on disk drives, and Compaq have problems too but not with W2K.

So for now it’s me, my self and the computer.

//skarlund

 

My apologies.

I evidently misinterpreted your description of your problem.

Now the only thing that comes to mind would be that the D: drive needs defragging and I'm pretty sure you have tried that. Beyond that, I'm as dumbstruck as you. It's inconceivable that the d:\ drive to d:\ drive copy would take longer than the c:\ drive to c:\ drive copy, given the same files sizes being copied. I think that's what you're saying.

 

is the right word, many things have I see but this is a new one. I will dig in to this deaper , , if I´ll find the solution then I report back if not, thanks any way.

//skarlund

 

I’m installed SP2 for W2K and the problem is gone by the wind.

 

I appreciate the feedback!

I'll have to see what's in sp2 and how that could happen to impact speed of copy on a second drive.