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Home > Archive > alt.certification.a-plus > December 2003 > Kev Kelly
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| Kevin Kelly 2003-12-16, 5:24 am |
| Hi All,
Just reinstalled XP, everything seems fine. Although, i'm just curious as to
why the HDD activity light is constantly on, no flashing at all. Not sure
about all the processes in task manager, just not sure this is right?
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Kev
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| hootnholler 2003-12-16, 2:24 pm |
| Hey Kev,
This could also be from the drive being formatted as ntfs. It has a unique
feature where it constantly 'defrags' the drive. Nothing to worry about,
it's by design. If you are using fat32, check out the above link.
Hoot
"Kevin Kelly" <kat.731@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:HMADb.38$5M1.61806@newsfep1-win.server.ntli.net...
> Hi All,
> Just reinstalled XP, everything seems fine. Although, i'm just curious as
to
> why the HDD activity light is constantly on, no flashing at all. Not sure
> about all the processes in task manager, just not sure this is right?
> Any thoughts?
> Thanks,
> Kev
>
>
| |
| ImhoTech 2003-12-16, 3:24 pm |
|
"hootnholler" <nospam@goaway.com> wrote in message
news:CsIDb.158558$Eq1.4670@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> Hey Kev,
>
> This could also be from the drive being formatted as ntfs. It has a
unique
> feature where it constantly 'defrags' the drive.
No, it doesn't.
>Nothing to worry about,
> it's by design. If you are using fat32, check out the above link.
>
> Hoot
>
> "Kevin Kelly" <kat.731@virgin.net> wrote in message
> news:HMADb.38$5M1.61806@newsfep1-win.server.ntli.net...
as[color=blue]
> to
sure[color=blue]
>
>
| |
| hootnholler 2003-12-17, 1:23 am |
|
> unique
>
> No, it doesn't.
>
I should have posted more information on that...
NTFS is a unique file system that uses a MFT, master file table. The table
constantly changes size as files are being written and removed to the hard
drive. It is in a reserved part of the hard drive. It is similar to the
FAT, but it resides in several areas on the drive, instead of usually right
at the beginning.
Also, NTFS has the ability to move the most accessed files to the front of
the drive, and lesser used files to the end. Hence, why I said a 'unique
feature where it constantly 'defrags' the drive.' Tech is right, it's not a
full defrag, as most people know it, but it's a unique feature to NTFS.
Found a good article, for those of you wanting more information...
http://www.winntmag.com/Articles/In...&ArticleID=3455
Hoot
| |
| ImhoTech 2003-12-17, 10:24 am |
|
"hootnholler" <nospam@goaway.com> wrote in message
news:qhSDb.145764$Vu6.4133@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
>
>
> I should have posted more information on that...
>
> NTFS is a unique file system that uses a MFT, master file table. The
table
> constantly changes size as files are being written and removed to the hard
> drive. It is in a reserved part of the hard drive. It is similar to the
> FAT, but it resides in several areas on the drive, instead of usually
right
> at the beginning.
>
> Also, NTFS has the ability to move the most accessed files to the front of
> the drive, and lesser used files to the end. Hence, why I said a 'unique
> feature where it constantly 'defrags' the drive.' Tech is right, it's not
a
> full defrag, as most people know it, but it's a unique feature to NTFS.
>
> Found a good article, for those of you wanting more information...
> http://www.winntmag.com/Articles/In...&ArticleID=3455
>
> Hoot
>
>
AH, okay then, you know we tech types get picky about specifics. (and
remember there ar emany non-techies or new techs reading here, when you say
defrag that exactly what most will think). I don't think what you're
refering to will cause the issue in question though.
Probably should reply to the OP with this rest, but anyway, if the system is
functioning correctly I don't think the constant on is related to any
'normal' function. Assuming otherwise normal function my first thought is
that the HD LED is not plugged in correctly, except that the OP didn't
mention a build or hardware change so I'm guessing that's not it.
I have seen similar, but there were other symptoms as well. Particularly on
older systems with a combination of low memory and an older hard drive
(older meaning actually 5400rpm drives), the LED seemed constant on, but
there was some flashing, as well as obvious HD thrashing that never seemed
to stop.
| |
| ImhoTech 2003-12-17, 10:24 am |
|
"Kevin Kelly" <kat.731@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:HMADb.38$5M1.61806@newsfep1-win.server.ntli.net...
> Hi All,
> Just reinstalled XP, everything seems fine. Although, i'm just curious as
to
> why the HDD activity light is constantly on, no flashing at all. Not sure
> about all the processes in task manager, just not sure this is right?
> Any thoughts?
> Thanks,
> Kev
>
>
If there are no other symptoms, and no performance issues, and your sure the
HD LED is plugged into the MB correctly I wouldn't worry about it.
| |
| Kevin Kelly 2003-12-17, 10:24 am |
| Now Now boys, take it easy.
It is connected correctly, i might not know as much as some, but i know a
bit more than the basics. I'm here to learn from you lot who probably could
make my PC knowledge look laughable!!
The light was flashing correctly, the only thing i can think of is on
Saturday i added a 40Gb HDD as a slave for extra storage.
So, have a 20Gb Master, with slaved 40Gb, It surely must be something to do
with that as what else, i've probably done something wrong!!
Thanks Hoot and Imho,
Kev
"ImhoTech" <bobo@yoodelers.net> wrote in message
news:vu0p555iqfib37@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "hootnholler" <nospam@goaway.com> wrote in message
> news:qhSDb.145764$Vu6.4133@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> table
hard[color=blue]
the[color=blue]
> right
of[color=blue]
'unique[color=blue]
not[color=blue]
> a
>
> AH, okay then, you know we tech types get picky about specifics. (and
> remember there ar emany non-techies or new techs reading here, when you
say
> defrag that exactly what most will think). I don't think what you're
> refering to will cause the issue in question though.
>
> Probably should reply to the OP with this rest, but anyway, if the system
is
> functioning correctly I don't think the constant on is related to any
> 'normal' function. Assuming otherwise normal function my first thought is
> that the HD LED is not plugged in correctly, except that the OP didn't
> mention a build or hardware change so I'm guessing that's not it.
> I have seen similar, but there were other symptoms as well. Particularly
on
> older systems with a combination of low memory and an older hard drive
> (older meaning actually 5400rpm drives), the LED seemed constant on, but
> there was some flashing, as well as obvious HD thrashing that never seemed
> to stop.
>
>
| |
| hootnholler 2003-12-17, 1:24 pm |
| Aw, no worries, Kev, it's mainly my fault. I knew right when I hit send,
that comment may make some hairs stand up.
Tech is right, we should try to keep our answers as simple as possible. I
made a judgement call, and tech got me. No harm, no foul. I try to help in
the chats, been doing so for years, and this question usually starts a good
argument. Not quite, but almost as good as intel vs. amd... ;-)
After that, I would agree with what tech has stated last, if it's working
okay, I wouldn't worry about it. Part of my response was to add to the
obvious statement that someone had posted, it's more than likely some
program running in the background that's accessing the drive. If you have
verified that it is not a program, then that's why I posted my statement.
That one is from personal experience, took me about 2 months to find the
answer, and that's what I finally came up with. Started with win2k and
ntfs... was wondering the exact same thing on my personal system.
Now, though, I see your main concern is the light on the case/tower. To be
honest, I'm not sure why it's not coming on. I would guess, right off the
bat, that the connection is not proper, but if it is, I don't know enough
about the mobo setup to say what activates that light. Is it the
information on the ide channel? The voltage usage off the 12 VDC rail that
tells it when to come on? Does it reside in the BIOS settings? I do know
that those led's work off of DC voltage, so it may be the 12 vdc rail that's
telling it when to come on. Maybe try switching power connections? Do you
have the same ribbon cables on both drives? Are they both rated for the
same speeds, ie, ata/100, etc...?
Sorry I can't be more specific, and I'm just as guilty as others. I have a
case, right next to me, that the hd light is always on.. I just never
worried about it enough to try and fix it.. lol.
Hoot
"Kevin Kelly" <kat.731@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:XUZDb.272$T_3.210639@newsfep1-win.server.ntli.net...
> Now Now boys, take it easy.
> It is connected correctly, i might not know as much as some, but i know a
> bit more than the basics. I'm here to learn from you lot who probably
could
> make my PC knowledge look laughable!!
> The light was flashing correctly, the only thing i can think of is on
> Saturday i added a 40Gb HDD as a slave for extra storage.
> So, have a 20Gb Master, with slaved 40Gb, It surely must be something to
do
> with that as what else, i've probably done something wrong!!
> Thanks Hoot and Imho,
> Kev
> "ImhoTech" <bobo@yoodelers.net> wrote in message
> news:vu0p555iqfib37@corp.supernews.com...
a[color=blue]
> hard
> the
front[color=blue]
> of
> 'unique
> not
NTFS.[color=blue]
> say
system[color=blue]
> is
is[color=blue]
Particularly[color=blue]
> on
seemed[color=blue]
>
>
| |
| Kevin Kelly 2003-12-17, 2:24 pm |
| Thanks Hoot,
wasn't having a go, you've helped me before, i just find it amusing
sometimes when something is asked and people start arguing!!! Lol
Anyway, maybe it is the Mobo, who knows! Am i past caring, nearly!!! Loads
of processes running in task mngr, think i'll just see what happens.
Take care Hoot,
Kev
"hootnholler" <nospam@goaway.com> wrote in message
news:TU0Eb.166352$M02.54264@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> Aw, no worries, Kev, it's mainly my fault. I knew right when I hit send,
> that comment may make some hairs stand up.
>
> Tech is right, we should try to keep our answers as simple as possible. I
> made a judgement call, and tech got me. No harm, no foul. I try to help
in
> the chats, been doing so for years, and this question usually starts a
good
> argument. Not quite, but almost as good as intel vs. amd... ;-)
>
> After that, I would agree with what tech has stated last, if it's working
> okay, I wouldn't worry about it. Part of my response was to add to the
> obvious statement that someone had posted, it's more than likely some
> program running in the background that's accessing the drive. If you have
> verified that it is not a program, then that's why I posted my statement.
> That one is from personal experience, took me about 2 months to find the
> answer, and that's what I finally came up with. Started with win2k and
> ntfs... was wondering the exact same thing on my personal system.
>
> Now, though, I see your main concern is the light on the case/tower. To
be
> honest, I'm not sure why it's not coming on. I would guess, right off the
> bat, that the connection is not proper, but if it is, I don't know enough
> about the mobo setup to say what activates that light. Is it the
> information on the ide channel? The voltage usage off the 12 VDC rail
that
> tells it when to come on? Does it reside in the BIOS settings? I do know
> that those led's work off of DC voltage, so it may be the 12 vdc rail
that's
> telling it when to come on. Maybe try switching power connections? Do
you
> have the same ribbon cables on both drives? Are they both rated for the
> same speeds, ie, ata/100, etc...?
>
> Sorry I can't be more specific, and I'm just as guilty as others. I have
a
> case, right next to me, that the hd light is always on.. I just never
> worried about it enough to try and fix it.. lol.
>
> Hoot
>
>
> "Kevin Kelly" <kat.731@virgin.net> wrote in message
> news:XUZDb.272$T_3.210639@newsfep1-win.server.ntli.net...
a[color=blue]
> could
> do
has[color=blue]
> a
The[color=blue]
the[color=blue]
to[color=blue]
usually[color=blue]
> front
it's[color=blue]
> NTFS.
you[color=blue]
> system
> is
> Particularly
but[color=blue]
> seemed
>
>
| |
|
| There are some combinations of HDs that just don't work together. Test your
disks separatly to make sure they still work in a single configuration. If
so I suggest you try them in a setup with CS (CableSelect) instead of
Master/Slave. Most disks (but not all) has that possibility.
AT
"Kevin Kelly" <kat.731@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:XUZDb.272$T_3.210639@newsfep1-win.server.ntli.net...
> Now Now boys, take it easy.
> It is connected correctly, i might not know as much as some, but i know a
> bit more than the basics. I'm here to learn from you lot who probably
could
> make my PC knowledge look laughable!!
> The light was flashing correctly, the only thing i can think of is on
> Saturday i added a 40Gb HDD as a slave for extra storage.
> So, have a 20Gb Master, with slaved 40Gb, It surely must be something to
do
> with that as what else, i've probably done something wrong!!
> Thanks Hoot and Imho,
> Kev
> "ImhoTech" <bobo@yoodelers.net> wrote in message
> news:vu0p555iqfib37@corp.supernews.com...
a[color=blue]
> hard
> the
front[color=blue]
> of
> 'unique
> not
NTFS.[color=blue]
> say
system[color=blue]
> is
is[color=blue]
Particularly[color=blue]
> on
seemed[color=blue]
>
>
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