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Computer hangs/freezes with 2 hdds plugged in + filename changed during transfer

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kureshii:
There's no "correct" method of formatting per-se; Windows does it well enough actually. But you can always use boot to a system boot CD and use that to partition your hard drive if you like. In my experience I've never found it to provide any significant advantage over formatting while in OS, although you will have to boot to a system CD/disk if you want to repartition your OS drive (you can't re-partition it while running from it)

Your hard disk shouldn't switch disk formats halfway during operation; in fact, it should not be able to do so without wiping your data (unless it does so by some roundabout method, e.g. backing up data to another partition first). Once NTFS, always NTFS until re-formatted. Likewise for FAT32, etc.

PSU power output isn't the only reason we distrust most OEM PSUs, they are also not known to have low noise or low voltage drop on the voltage lines. If you can get a model number or other information on the PSU in your Dell, I can do a quick google.

I would always recommend getting a decent PSU in a computer (especially the cheaper ones) once your warranty expires (assuming you want to keep the warranty before that), although I've heard of cases where the motherboard is proprietary and doesn't work with other ATX PSUs. Hopefully that is not the case here.

Just to be sure, I'd also throw in a Scandisk check. HDD-A is probably fine, but if you've never done a disk scan on it, it's nice to have a little peace of mind and know for sure. Also, disk brand, make and model number, if possible. Not that it's a sure indicator of anything, but information always helps.

Last question; you said you sometimes get lagginess on MKVs, and sometimes not. Was that tested with the same MKV file, or with various MKV files?

Can you verify if this is the Dimension 8400 you have? If not, do post the basic specs as well (processor type, chipset type if you can find it) - CPU-Z will be of great help here.

HrtOfSword:

--- Quote from: Lupin on November 10, 2009, 12:37:40 PM ---
--- Quote from: HrtOfSword on November 10, 2009, 12:07:10 PM ---001. Two hard disks (I can only have 2 hdd connected at one time as there are only 2 trays for hdd on my Dell desktop)
002. One DVD drive.
003. RADEON X300 Series & RADEON X300 Series Secondary
--- End quote ---
How about your power supply? What's its rating? I've had bad experiences with OEM computers. They usually use power supplies that only have enough juice to run the current setup.

--- Quote from: HrtOfSword on November 10, 2009, 12:07:10 PM ---Q1b. Does that mean that it is not a problem with my data cables, power cables and memory, but rather my PSU?
--- End quote ---
It might. PSU is the most underrated component in a computer. You said the problem only arises when you attach another drive. Try installing the other drive instead of the DVD drive. Check if you experience any lock-ups/slowdowns.
--- End quote ---
Sometimes the "cannot find harddrive" black screen problem also happens when I use only one harddrive. But it usually happens after I have unplugged the secondary harddrive and rebooted the computer.
Erm what do u mean by installing the other drive instead of the DVD drive?
Do you mean turn off the DVD drive in the system settings (refering to the F2 menu before Windows boots)?


--- Quote from: Lupin on November 10, 2009, 12:37:40 PM ---
--- Quote from: HrtOfSword on November 10, 2009, 12:07:10 PM ---Q8. On a sidenote, I would like to know the actual correct method of formatting a harddrive without installing the OS and with the ability to create partitions. What I did for my 500GB file backup only harddrive was I right-clicked on it, selected Format and clicked on start. There was no option for partitions in that small menu.

--- End quote ---
Right click on My Computer and select Manage. On the left pane, select Disk Management. Windows will then list all drives present in your system. Just select the drive you want to format, right click then select Create New Partition. Here you can select the size, and type of partition that will be made for the drive. You can also choose to set a drive letter for the partition as well as the format the drive.

--- End quote ---
Q9. Will the windows version affect the way that my new harddisk is formatted? Like will Windows 7 format harddisks more reliably than Windows XP or Vista, and XP will format better than those in the '90s?


--- Quote from: kureshii on November 10, 2009, 12:59:38 PM ---PSU power output isn't the only reason we distrust most OEM PSUs, they are also not known to have low noise or low voltage drop on the voltage lines. If you can get a model number or other information on the PSU in your Dell, I can do a quick google.
I would always recommend getting a decent PSU in a computer (especially the cheaper ones) once your warranty expires (assuming you want to keep the warranty before that), although I've heard of cases where the motherboard is proprietary and doesn't work with other ATX PSUs. Hopefully that is not the case here.
--- End quote ---
I've tried googling the code written on it CN-0X2634-17972-578-25Q4 but there are no results.
Yea I've heard that from the guy who came to fix my computer once (he discovered the fan was spoiled, but thankfully I had warranty).


--- Quote from: kureshii on November 10, 2009, 12:59:38 PM ---Just to be sure, I'd also throw in a Scandisk check. HDD-A is probably fine, but if you've never done a disk scan on it, it's nice to have a little peace of mind and know for sure. Also, disk brand, make and model number, if possible. Not that it's a sure indicator of anything, but information always helps.
--- End quote ---
It's a Western Digital so it's pretty much reliable I guess.


--- Quote from: kureshii on November 10, 2009, 12:59:38 PM ---Last question; you said you sometimes get lagginess on MKVs, and sometimes not. Was that tested with the same MKV file, or with various MKV files?
--- End quote ---
Both. I cant remember all the individual cases but I do remember one thing.
The opening for Code Geass R2 always always always lagged at the part where they did this warp thingy while showing all the characters. The wrap thingy was probably too much for whatever that had the problem. This was for HDD-A.
I think HDD-A also lagged sometimes for Gundam 00 S1 at the part in which the Gundam first appeared and had glowing "wings". Sometimes it worked fine and there was no lag.


--- Quote from: kureshii on November 10, 2009, 12:59:38 PM ---Can you verify if this is the Dimension 8400 you have? If not, do post the basic specs as well (processor type, chipset type if you can find it) - CPU-Z will be of great help here.

--- End quote ---
It looks like it but mine is probably an older version as I have
- CPU - Intel Pentium 4 530, not 560. It's a Prescott.
- Mainboard - Intel i925X, not Intel 925X Express

billlanam:
Replace your cable at the very least, even if it's not part of the problem, they are cheap, and it won't hurt.

You also could have too many programs running in the background, which will slow down your computer, use msconfig to see and disable (or remove) the programs that you don't need (google the names to see whether you'll need them).

The intermittent lag probably happens when a program in the background slows the computer down enough to interfere.

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