Win2k Sluggish

[cvlegion]

I have installed Windows 2000 plenty of times on my computer. However, I have always had a problem with it degrading. After a week or so, it starts to have major pauses when I load up programs. The most noticeable thing is the pause that occurs when Windows loads up. Basically I cannot click on the Start Button for a few seconds because the computer is busy. Or whenever I start up Windows there is something like a few second pause where I can do nothing. I regularly defragment.

I just upgraded my computer, which I though would solve the problem because I thought that it was memory related more than anything. However, I upgraded to 512Mb of PC150 CAS2 memory. I also got a SCSI RAID card with 2 10k Cheetah drives. I have installed Windows 2000 Professional Upgrade but I do a clean install. I have all my startup programs disabled. I set a fixed size for the swap file and I defragged my computer. I also put on Conservative Swap File.

My first inclination is that it is some kind of setting in the OS off. Basically all of my hardware except the floppy drive, CD-ROMs, Maxtor HD and ide cables. I am wondering if it might be my SCSI card settings. I have it set on Cached I/O, Write Thru (I do not have a battery pack so I cannot have Write Back) and I think 64K stipes. I will have a new Mylex card with a battery pack so I will set it to write back. I would like to know whether these are the best settings from experienced SCSI RAID users. I was wondering if it might have something to do with having SCSI and Highpoint 370 together. I have all the latest drivers on my computer. I have not flashed the bios yet, do you think that this might affect it.

I am just trying to figure out how to fix this Windows 2000 problem so that when I format tomorrow when I get the new RAID card my problem will be fixed. All suggestions are welcome; thanks in advance.

 

[cvlegion]

any suggestions?

 

[Tarfin]

Well just for giggles try running with 1 drive disconnected. Could be if you're using software RAID that as you load more and more stuff your computer will slow down. Its a tradeoff between redundancy and speed. Also you could just run the two drives independently. Try running benchmarks before installing any other software, then run the benchmark afterward.

 

[cvlegion]

I am running SCSI RAID which is a hardware controller. My CPU use floats around 1 to 2 % at idle.

 

[psychobabble]

From ur description, seems the sluggishness noticed is only at windows 2k
bootstrap/load time. You didn't complain as loud for normal operation, right?
Just leave it on, win2k is supposed to be able to run weeks contnuously.

Otherwise, if your intrigued enough, enable bootlog next time and read the
trace, then post it in usenet. most likely have a lot to do with your s/w config - like s/w you installed, s/w load up at boot time, startup etc.
I am used to see some ten minutes bootup on some loadup boxes. coffee time.