Windows Explorer slow to respond

[Guest]

Hi- I have a Windows XP machine with SP2. My issue is half the time I start
Windows Explorer it takes about 2 minutes for the explorer window to respond.
When I go into task manager it just says "not responding". The processor
utilization and memory looks to be fine (nothing is eating CPU). This issue
started about a month ago and happened pre- SP2 as well. Any help is greatly
appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Malke]

Hi- I have a Windows XP machine with SP2. My issue is half the time I
start Windows Explorer it takes about 2 minutes for the explorer
window to respond. When I go into task manager it just says "not
responding". The processor utilization and memory looks to be fine
(nothing is eating CPU). This issue started about a month ago and
happened pre- SP2 as well. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

1. What is the virus/malware status of the computer? Be sure it is
clean:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

2. Check to make sure the hard drive is using some DMA mode and not PIO.
Here is a link to MVP Hans-Georg Michna's site which explains the issue
and has a fix:

http://www.michna.com/kb/WxDMA.htm

Malke

 

[Alan]

Hi Malke,

I am running XP Home with SP2, and I read both Hans-Georg Michna's article
as well as Microsoft KB 817472.

I'm a bit puzzled after reading both articles because, when I go into Device
Manage and check the Properties for any of the IDE/ATAPI controllers, I do
not see any EXTENDED SETTINGS or ADVANCED SETTINGS tab -- or a radio button
to bring up these options.

Consequently, I do not know where to look to see whether my Primary IDE
Channel is using DMA or PIO.

Is there any other place I should be looking for the Extended/Advanced
settings information?

Alan

 

[Malke]

Hi Malke,

I am running XP Home with SP2, and I read both Hans-Georg Michna's
article as well as Microsoft KB 817472.

I'm a bit puzzled after reading both articles because, when I go into
Device Manage and check the Properties for any of the IDE/ATAPI
controllers, I do
not see any EXTENDED SETTINGS or ADVANCED SETTINGS tab -- or a radio
button to bring up these options.

Consequently, I do not know where to look to see whether my Primary
IDE Channel is using DMA or PIO.

Is there any other place I should be looking for the Extended/Advanced
settings information?

I'm confused. Are you the original poster? He posted as "Glen".

You will not see the settings if your hardware (motherboard controller)
doesn't support it or if it is handled through the driver settings such
as the Intel Application Accelerator. If you have the IAA, view/change
DMA using that program.

Malke

 

[Alan]

Hello again Malke,

No, I'm not the original poster -- sorry for the confusion. I just came
across this post last night and figured I'd try to check what my own
settings were.

I just ran the Intel Application Accelerator and am posting part of the
report, below, as I'm still not sure whether my machine is using DMA or PIO.

Could you please tell me what I should be looking for? Is it Default
Transfer Mode: UDMA-5?


Thank you.

Alan

****************************************
Intel(R) Application Accelerator, 2.3.0.2160
Wednesday, June 14, 2006 8:00:17 AM (Local)
Wednesday, June 14, 2006 12:00:17 PM (GMT)

Operating System
Windows XP (Build 5.1.2600, Service Pack 2)

Platform Information
Processor Type: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 Processor
Processor level: Family 15
Processor Revision: Model 2 Stepping 4
Active Processor Mask: 1
Number of Processors: 1

Controller Information
IDE Controller: Intel(R) 82801DB Ultra ATA Controller, ICH4
Storage Kit Build(s): 2.3.0.2164,
Storage Kit Installed: 2.3.0.2164
Driver Build: Intel Application Accelerator Driver
Driver Version: 2.3.0.2160
IDE Controller Tri-State: IDE Controller enabled
PIO Mode Support: 0 - 2 - 3 - 4
DMA SW Mode Support: 2
DMA MW Mode Support: 1 - 2
UDMA Mode Support: 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
Disk Timeout Value: Default
CDROM Timeout Value: Default
CD Audio Timeout Value: Default
UDMA on 80 conductor cable only: Default, Disabled
Flush Enable: Default, Disabled
Ping Pong Enable: Enabled

Channel Information
Primary Channel
No Data
Secondary Channel
No Data

Device Information
Primary Master: MAXTOR 6L040J2
Model: MAXTOR 6L040J2
Firmware: A93.0500
Device Type: ATA - Fixed
PIO Mode Support: 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4
DMA SW Mode Support: No Support
DMA MW Mode Support: 0 - 1 - 2
UDMA Mode Support: 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
LBA (28-bit maximum): 0x04A8E600
LBA (48-bit maximum): 0x000004A8E600
CHS: 3FFF x 0010 x 003F
CHS Sectors: 0x00FBFC10
Disk Size (28-bit maximum): 37.3 GB (40,027,029,504 bytes)
Disk Size: 37 GB (40,027,029,504 bytes)
Default Transfer Mode: UDMA-5
Current Transfer Mode: UDMA-5
Transfer Mode Limit: No Limit
Cable Type (Device): 80 Conductor
Cable Type (Host): 80 Conductor
PIO PPE: Enabled
UDMA Control Register: Ultra DMA Mode Enabled
UDMA Timing Register: CT = 3 CLK / RP = 16 CLK
Base Clock: Ultra DMA 100 Timings
Auto-Acoustic Management: Minimum Acoustic Output
Dynamic APM on AC: Feature not supported by device.
Dynamic APM on Battery: Feature not supported by device.

 

[Malke]

Alan wrote:

Comments inline:

No, I'm not the original poster -- sorry for the confusion. I just
came across this post last night and figured I'd try to check what my
own settings were.

Next time make a new post for your question. Since we're here now and
Glen hasn't come back, let's just continue in this thread. Here is a
link explaining how to write an effective newsgroup post for the
future: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

I just ran the Intel Application Accelerator and am posting part of
the report, below, as I'm still not sure whether my machine is using
DMA or PIO.

Device Information
Primary Master: MAXTOR 6L040J2
Model: MAXTOR 6L040J2
Current Transfer Mode: UDMA-5

Your hard drive is using the correct data transfer mode of Ultra DMA-5.

Malke

 

[Alan]

Thanks for your time and posting back, Malke.

Alan

 

[Guest]

Hi Malke,

Thanks for the response. I have checked for spyware and Viruses. I'm pretty
confident that is not the issue. I followed your guidlines on Michna's
website as well and everything looks fine. It does kinda seem something like
that though, like Windows is looking at something 1st before the hd. This
issue doesn't happen every time I open exporer either, mostly when I haven't
used it for a while...
Thanks -Glen