Heavy CPU usage during HD tranfers and Downloads :( ...

[lsd]

When ever I d/l something at around 200KB/s my cpu usage goes to 40%. HDtach reports 58% usage. I have a 30gig 5400rpm Maxtor HD on a Promise ultra66 card running Win2k. I have a Abit KT7 with the lastest 4 in 1 drivers as well as the bus master drivers. Even when I connect the drive to the mobo the cpu load goes up. Does anybody know why this is happening? This is my 3rd replacement Maxtor drive (1 developed bad sectors, the other had start up problems)..and I have to say maxtor really sucks.

 

[Budman]

Why even bother with a promise card?

Why not use the Abit KT7's onboard ata66 controlled for your hd?

 

[lsd]

It was first actually connected to the mobo and the problem still existed, so I just left it there. Also my ISA nic won't work without it there.... don't ask..

 

[BFG10K]

It sounds like you don't have DMA enabled on your hardrives. Go to the device manager and enable them. If you don't see any checkboxes for it, you may need update your drivers and/or BIOS.

 

[Dulanic]

Promise cards auto set DMA you cant set it yourself.

 

[Budman]

Your old ISA nic is probably the cause.

Get yourself a pci NIC and you should have a lot less cpu usage on downloads.

 

[lsd]

DMA is enabled in the bios and in win2k (udma66). Via's IDETOOL verifies that. It cant be the ISA nic because I've used this card for over a year with no problems. I do have a pci nic but the kt7 doesn't like it
I think I got another bad HD.

 

[Budman]

Just to make sure.

You connect the blue end of the cable to the board right ??

 

[lsd]

WHY I OUTTA........
Yes it is

 

[BFG10K]

Promise cards auto set DMA you cant set it yourself.

Really? I have a promise Ultra ATA 66 controller on my motherboard and I don't see any DMA settings for my drives. That would explain why not.

 

[lsd]

Bump for the nite..