Performance problem sz3 pausing harddisk

[mschipperheyn]

Hi,

I have a performance problem with my sz3. The harddisk keeps pausing during intensive,long disk reads (e.g. startup, playing video's). You can see the harddisk light going out every other one or two seconds or so. I even notice it during playing of a Quicktime movie. Every other second or so, the sound stutters because of this.

I'm sure this is software related. The question is: how do you debug this issue and pinpoint it to the cuprit? I've been suspecting the antivirus suite, but I would not expect it to check every bit of data that is read from the harddisk. I haven't done a full system scan yet. Hmm, perhaps that could be the reason. I'll give that a go. Anyway, does anyone have other ideas?

Kind regards,

Marc

[kee-lo_]

Have you gone into Control Panel > Power Schemes and set it to performance?

[Blencogo]

Is DMA (Direct Memory Access) enabled?

To check that DMA is enabled, go to Device Manager and expand 'IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers' and double-click on 'Primary IDE Channel' -> 'Advanced Settings'.

[mschipperheyn]

Well, the power scheme is set to VAIO optimized. I assume that is the right one. The machine is set to Speed.
DMA mode seems to be enabled.

Kind regards,

Marc

[Blencogo]

Hi Marc,

In the screen where you have Device ) and Device 1, you may have 'DMA if Available' selected, but in the box below does it actually say that a DMA Mode is being used?

[mschipperheyn]

I have two items identified as Primary IDE Channel.
The first one has the following settings:
Device 0
Device type: Auto detection
Transfer mode: DMA if available
Current transfer mode: Ultra DMA mode 5

Device 1
Device type: Auto detection
Transfer mode: DMA if available
Current transfer mode: Not Applicable

The second one has the following settings
Device 0
Device type: Auto detection
Transfer mode: DMA if available
Current transfer mode: Ultra DMA mode 2

Device 1
Device type: Auto detection
Transfer mode: DMA if available
Current transfer mode: Not Applicable

Kind regards,

Marc

[mschipperheyn]

Well, after turning all non-Windows services one by one, it seems the culprit is the VAIO Event Service. After turning it off, a long quicktime runs flawlessly where before it stuttered ever other x seconds. This service has been given me more problems. When I reboot my machine I have to cycle the service to enable the function keys to work.

Is there any way to update this software?

Kind regards,

Marc

[kee-lo_]

Suprise suprise, typical - I hate that program

[mschipperheyn]

Problem is, I need it to manage my function keys. I assume there's no other way? Well, I'm going to try to reinstall it from the drivers and utilities package.

[kee-lo_]

I think you can just simply disable the service:

http://www.beemerworld.com/tips/servicesxp.htm