Virus Checker Slows Fast Drives ?

[Magnusfarce]

I have a pretty nice system that includes a 76gb Raptor for my OS and
programs, and a pair of WD2500 SATA-2, 250gb, 16mb cache hard drives in RAID
0 for primary data storage. When I built this system last winter, I
expected the drives to help speed up data acquisition, but my Norton AV
makes me wait while it scans pretty much every file I bring up. When it's
all said and done, calling up a file is anything but quick.



Do I need to turn off this feature of Norton AV? Am I giving up significant
protection by doing so? Is there another issue I'm missing? TIA



- Magnusfarce





FWIW, remainder of system:



Motherboard: Abit AN8 Fatal1ty SLI

Processor: Athlon 64 X2 4400+ CPU

CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS9500

Memory: Mushkin 4x512 PC3200 DChannel

Graphics: eVGA 7800GT CO, oc'd to 470

Cooler: Zalman

PSU: Enermax Noisetaker 600w

OS: XP Pro

 

[Conor]

I have a pretty nice system that includes a 76gb Raptor for my OS and
programs, and a pair of WD2500 SATA-2, 250gb, 16mb cache hard drives in RAID
0 for primary data storage. When I built this system last winter, I
expected the drives to help speed up data acquisition, but my Norton AV
makes me wait while it scans pretty much every file I bring up. When it's
all said and done, calling up a file is anything but quick.



Do I need to turn off this feature of Norton AV? Am I giving up significant
protection by doing so? Is there another issue I'm missing? TIA

Yeah. Norton is utter shit and exists solely to bring the most powerful
system to the speed of a late 80's 286.

 

[Lez Pawl]

Yeah. Norton is utter shit and exists solely to bring the most powerful
system to the speed of a late 80's 286.

what a load of rubbish you spurt.....the difference being you don't get any
virus.

 

[kimbo_]

Get rid of norton.

 

[JAD]

take the 12 step intervention to get rid of ALL things norton....Try AVG
free....did I mention it was free?

 

[Mr. Nethead]

I have a pretty nice system that includes a 76gb Raptor for my OS and
programs, and a pair of WD2500 SATA-2, 250gb, 16mb cache hard drives in RAID
0 for primary data storage. When I built this system last winter, I
expected the drives to help speed up data acquisition, but my Norton AV
makes me wait while it scans pretty much every file I bring up. When it's
all said and done, calling up a file is anything but quick.



Do I need to turn off this feature of Norton AV? Am I giving up significant
protection by doing so? Is there another issue I'm missing? TIA

Norton's crap has gotten progressively worse every year. On one of my
laptops, it increased the startup time by about 90 seconds! Conversely, the
Computer Associates Anti-Virus that is bundled with AT&T's DSL is fast,
efficient and runs almost seamlessly in the background.

But anyway, if you want a free replacement, AVG will work just fine.

 

[Magnusfarce]

Thanks, Everyone.

I guess that over the years I've just gotten into the habit of using Norton
products (which are also largely free if you wait for sales and use
rebates). I find that I'm using XP's defragger, etc., more than Norton's,
so my need for Systemworks has steadily dropped off over time. Another
major gripe is the lack of any kind of meaningful support from Symantec.

I also use Ghost, but I assume that I can still run that separately if I
decide to keep it. Let's say I dump Systemworks (which at this point I
believe I'll do), what do I need and and what do you recommend I use instead
to replace its general utilities (e.g. WinDoctor)? BTW, for spyware, etc,
I use Adaware and Spybot.

- Magnusfarce

 

[Magnusfarce]

OP here -

I forgot to ask a question: I'm thinking of adding another Raptor for sort
of "core" data storage and use the 250 SATAs (which are RAID 1, not RAID 2
as I said earlier) for less frequently used data. After I fix this
antivirus problem, will a Raptor be significantly faster than the Western
Digital 250/16 meg cache SATA 2 drives I mentioned earlier? TIA.

- Magnusfarce

 

[Conor]

what a load of rubbish you spurt.....the difference being you don't get any
virus.

Really? Not long ago there was one that disabled NAV and another that
uninstalled it.

 

[Rod Speed]

I guess that over the years I've just gotten into the habit of using
Norton products (which are also largely free if you wait for sales and use rebates). I find that
I'm using XP's defragger, etc., more than Norton's,

You might as well give up on defragging, its only useful in some
unusual situations with modern fast hard drives and modern OSs.

so my need for Systemworks has steadily dropped off over time. Another major gripe is the lack of
any kind of meaningful support from Symantec.

Its not that bad, but its pretty hard to find. Its
best to use google on the symantec site to find it.

I also use Ghost, but I assume that I can still run that separately if I decide to keep it.

Best to dump that in favour of True Image too.

Let's say I dump Systemworks (which at this point I believe I'll do), what do I need and and what
do you recommend I use instead to replace its general utilities (e.g. WinDoctor)?

I dont see the need for it myself. Causes more problems than if fixes.

BTW, for spyware, etc, I use Adaware and Spybot.

I use the MS product in addition.

 

[Ed Medlin]

OP here -

I forgot to ask a question: I'm thinking of adding another Raptor for sort
of "core" data storage and use the 250 SATAs (which are RAID 1, not RAID 2
as I said earlier) for less frequently used data. After I fix this
antivirus problem, will a Raptor be significantly faster than the Western
Digital 250/16 meg cache SATA 2 drives I mentioned earlier? TIA.

- Magnusfarce

Not significantly. They are a bit quieter than the Raptors. They also are
cooler running. I have had both and the Raptors are a bit quicker according
to HDTach but in actual use I don't notice the extra speed unless I am doing
video rendering and working from one array to another. Even then the speed
increase is only about 5% or so. I now have 4 250/16meg WDs in two arrays
and they do just fine. I have one Raptor that I use for games and another WD
350/16 for OS, apps and additional storage. I sold the other Raptor. Not
that it is a bad or slow drive, it is just that when doing hours of video
work the additional noise gets a bit irritating.

Ed