Poor HD performance with MSI pro2a......

[zsir]

I just put this system togeather and I'm having no luck at all....

pro 2a
600 Duron
win 98SE
maxtor 7200 45gig
128meg pc133
voodoo5500

I can't get the duron to post above 650mhz

But the problem is that HD performance is so low......
UDMA100 is enabled and this shows while posting but I notice that games are taking longer to load than my 300@450 with a 6.4gig WD

Sandra drive benchmark score = 2367
HD tach 2.2mbps random acess 13.3ms cpu utilization 92.5%

I going to hunt through the bios and look at system setings....

Anyone got any ideas?

via agp and irq drivers are installed.....didn't load the via busmasters

 

[Mem]

Just one idea check your BIOS setting under Intergrated Peripherals make sure you have UDMA not disabled for your HD.

 

[zsir]

ok

UMDA is set to auto...it's either that or disable....

Could someone post their HD tach or sandra drive benchmark scores....?

Thanks

 

[gittyup]

zsir

I am using SiSoft Sandra 2001. I clicked on "Drives Benchmark". After the test, I get
"This Drive: Drive Index 18792". It also says the "Average Access Time: 9ms"
I am not sure this is the score you are looking for!

 

[ZoSo]

Did you load the VIA drivers from the cd that came with the M/B?

 

[Mem]

zsir,When you installed the 4 in 1 drivers you get the option to put a tick in the box for DMA,I think its the bus driver which you did not install so this could be why.

 

[zsir]

Thanks....

I was wondering how far off my hard drive benchs are....

I did not install the via bus master drivers....I'll do that now .....I'll post with results...

Thanks again

 

[zsir]

I had read this at via.com

Q: My system uses Win98 so should I install the VIA bus master & AGP drivers?
A: Microsoft has bundled full support for VIA chipsets into Win98 therefore it isn't necessary to install the VIA bus master driver but VIA suggests installing the VIA AGP driver and IrQ routing miniport driver. Check out the Win98 FAQ for Win 98 installation procedures with VIA chipsets.

So i didn't install the bus drivers......

I just installed the bus drivers and Sandra score went up to 18752 seek time is 12.2ms HD tach score 71.3mbps cpu utilization 11.7%..... That's more like it

A big duhhhhhh!!!! for me huh...

 

[Mem]

I always install all 4 in 1 drivers,I know some people say don`t install all of them but I guess that`s why I don`t get problems ,anyway I`m glad you have it working great now.

 

[Davegod75]

your problem is def the via drivers. install the latest ones.

 

[Technonut]

The Microsoft installed IDE drivers are better than the 4 in 1's. VIA has stated this, and many component manufacturers. For example, this is from Plextor's FAQ's Page :

According to VIA their IDE driver has issues with all brands of CD-R/RW and Tape drives. On their web site they state that they are currently working on resolving these issues and recommend using the Windows standard default driver from your Microsoft Operating System disc instead of the VIA driver.

The only VIA driver that I install is the AGP in turbo mode. I have built many, many, VIA chipset systems, and have enjoyed the most stability just by installing the AGP driver.

EDIT: When you had the MS installed IDE drivers installed, did you have the DMA box checked for your drive in device manager? I have always had better hard drive benchmark scores with the MS installed IDE drivers when I compared them to the VIA 4 in 1's.

 

[Mem]

Technonut,I know you have your way of doing things but to be honest I don`t use CDR,or Plextor gear so that is not a issue with me,the bottom line is do what`s best to get your system working fine,& mine is rock solid

 

[zsir]

<< did you have the DMA box checked for your drive in device manager? >>



I had it set to auto in the bios......I can't find a dma check box in device manager....

I clicked on hard disk conrolers....and right clicked primary IDE controler....I can't find a dma check box....

Where is it in device manager?

 

[Grendel99]

Go to Control Panel, System, Device Manager Tab, and then select your HD from the list and I think there is a button called properties at bottom.

 

[ZoSo]

<< According to VIA their IDE driver has issues with all brands of CD-R/RW and Tape drives. On their web site they state that they are currently working on resolving these issues and recommend using the Windows standard default driver from your Microsoft Operating System disc instead of the VIA driver. >>



Hmm, that's strange. I've used the VIA drivers on all three systems I've built running a Plextor burner and never had any problems. I wonder if VIA fixed it with there newer versions and Plextor never updated the info? I've used from 424 and up, currently I'm using the Beta 426's and have no problems.

 

[zsir]

Technonut

I got about the same HD tach scores with dma enabled but without the via busmasters.....CPU utilization was down 4%
Thanks....

Grendel99

Thanks for the help....I also enabled dma for my dvd drive...

 

[Zoson]

Nobody seemed to address his issue w/ overclocking, well you probably need to increase your core voltage... And if ur only doing FSB overclock, don't expect much more than 660mhz... otherwise do the pencil trick and crank up that multiplier!
-Zoson

 

[darkclouds]

Question... how do you uninstall the via drivers and then install the ms drivers?
thanks