Weird problem with External Hard drive

[real-brisker]

I am in the midst of producing a video with Adobe CS6.

I am running all the videos off of my WD 1TB external HD. The problem is, that at random points the hard drive decides to "space out" and even just opening a file directly from the HD can take 2-3 minutes. While to open any file that is saved directly on the PC would open instantly (like supposed to). Then after wasting an hour over it, it will start working again as usual.

Any ideas what the issue may be?                       

[Name Changed]

Seems like the hard drive might be messed up.

[real-brisker]

NC - That's my thoughts too.

 Any solutions to save the HD? It's less than six months old.

[elizmm]

I am in the midst of producing a video with Adobe CS6.

I am running all the videos off of my WD 1TB external HD. The problem is, that at random points the hard drive decides to "space out" and even just opening a file directly from the HD can take 2-3 minutes. While to open any file that is saved directly on the PC would open instantly (like supposed to). Then after wasting an hour over it, it will start working again as usual.

Any ideas what the issue may be?                       

Try turning off "power saving" on the usb hub (in device manager), like this the usb port/device does not go to sleep, it is possible that when you are doing cuts and some other stuff in premiere you are using the cached file and the hard drive went to sleep because it was idiling, and when you continue to see past the cache it then wakes up the drive...

And btw if you are using a usb 2.0 drive it will always go slower then using an internal drive, the max speeds usb 2.0 can do it 400mbps, vs internal sata which depending on your computer and drive can be anywhere between 1-6gbps.

Both are not real life numbers because you are limited by rpm and actuall spining, but internal will always be faster unless you are using an esataa or usb 3.0

[real-brisker]

elizmm - Thanks, will check.

I have 500gb of footage, theres no way it can go on my internal.

[RJ898]

How is it connected to the PC?

[real-brisker]

USB

[RJ898]

That's the problem. Every book I've ever read, tutorial I've seen, and hundreds of hours of personal experience have told me: never use usb for video editing. Slowest you should use is firewire 400, best would be esata. No need to open the tower, just connect the HD differently. Also, make sure you keep at least 20% of your drives free.

[DH Data Recovery]

I would agree with RJ898 but just in case backup all your data

[real-brisker]

RJ898, DH - Thanks. I am using a laptop, no room for an additional hd .

[DH Data Recovery]

if your laptop has an eSata port, or at least usb 3.0 would be helpful.

I would advice to Backup and test your hard drive just in case, hard drives fail really fast these days.

Another idea is to do the work on your Laptop and then move it to the external, that way the actual work is done on the computer and not on external drive.

[elizmm]

if your laptop has an eSata port, or at least usb 3.0 would be helpful

Try turning off "power saving" on the usb hub (in device manager), like this the usb port/device does not go to sleep, it is possible that when you are doing cuts and some other stuff in premiere you are using the cached file and the hard drive went to sleep because it was idiling, and when you continue to see past the cache it then wakes up the drive...

And btw if you are using a usb 2.0 drive it will always go slower then using an internal drive, the max speeds usb 2.0 can do it 400mbps, vs internal sata which depending on your computer and drive can be anywhere between 1-6gbps.

Both are not real life numbers because you are limited by rpm and actuall spining, but internal will always be faster unless you are using an esataa or usb 3.0

[RJ898]

Another thing you might want to try (depending on how fast your internet connection), carbonite.com has unlimited backup for $54 a year.

[Name Changed]

Another thing you might want to try (depending on how fast your internet connection), carbonite.com has unlimited backup for $54 a year.

Unless you have Google Fiber (700+ MBPS), I wouldnt think this is any option for video editing

[RJ898]

Unless you have Google Fiber (700+ MBPS), I wouldnt think this is any option for video editing

I mean for backup. I thought that was obvious since the conversation turned from editing to backup...

[real-brisker]

DH - How do I test the hard drive?

[real-brisker]

Elizmm - Issue is not power saver. Even after I reboot it can experience slowness.

[gung ho]

Elizmm - Issue is not power saver. Even after I reboot it can experience slowness.

your best bet would be to upgrade your drive