Disk too slow errors

pcoleman · Post by **pcoleman** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:13 pm

Hi...

I'm running into a strange problem. When I try and record even a single track I get a disk too slow error after a few minutes.

Some things that may be contributing factors:
- Running on only one 250 GB SATA 7200Rpm drive.
- Only 1GB Memory.

Still, I can accomplish the same on my iBook. I'd think that recording a single mono track shouldn't be so difficult.

One other thought that occurred to me is that I have a lot of power drawing from the same circuit as the G5...is it possible that some power management scheme in the G5 is slowing down the drive. I've done all of the things suggested in other posts as far as energy management (including disabling Spotlight and Dashboard), though I'm suspicious that the G5 might ignore if it couldn't draw enough energy....

I do realize that I probably need to get more memory or an additional drive, but I'm a bit vexed that I can't record a single mono track.

mastermix · Post by **mastermix** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 1:16 am

Using only one drive could be the problem.

Actually, the internal SATA is could be your real problem.

There is soo much read/write going on in OS X alone -- so adding audio read/write is harzardous to the existing heavy load.

Drives are cheap -- Get a separate drive for audio.

A quick fix though is to increase the disk/audio buffer
size -- but that works for a relatively small number of tracks.

Similar problems with internal SATA drives have been Reported by Logic 7.1 users too.
at the Logic Forum.

Kris..

<small>[ July 13, 2005, 04:34 AM: Message edited by: mastermix ]</small>

pcoleman · Post by **pcoleman** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 2:00 am

Thanks Kris,

That was my initial thought...but then I started asking the question...why can my lowly iBook (with a 4200rpm drive) handle this when my G5 can't.

That said, I'm going to get another drive in the very near future.

methezer · Post by **methezer** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 2:49 am

This is kind of weird. You should not be having any problems recording just one track. What is your 'studio size' set up at. This is the setting somewhere in DP where you choose how many mono/stereo tracks you can have (and they have cute little names like 'latte and espresso'

) Try reducing the number of tracks here and see what happens.

pcoleman · Post by **pcoleman** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 4:31 am

I did wind up reducing the project size to the smallest available to no avail...Still craps out.

I just ordered another drive to throw in there. We'll see.

Just to add a fly into the ointment, I was able to record a track ad infinitum when I had the PA power amp that resides on the same circuit shut off. This is what is leading me to believe that the G5 has some undocumented "intelligent" power features that deal with power draw issues. Strange, huh.

I think I'll experiment with moving the computer to a different circuit/taking it off the UPS/whatever else I can think of.

Paul

grimepoch · Post by **grimepoch** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 6:21 am

No way, something else is going on, recording one mono track to a 7200 RPM SATA drive should NEVER time out.

On a G5 I am using a raided MIRRORED SATA drive 160 GB, which is going to be slower due to software raid. I have recorded over 40+ times 8 24b/48kbs at durations up to an hour long. I have 1 gig of ram.

That said, make sure Safari is not running when using DP. Make sure DP hasn't been running for a few days, something seems to get slow in it when it has been up for awhile.

If you updated an OS instead of a fresh install, I recommend a fresh install. I benchmarked Tiger updated and then fresh installed, significant difference.

But, let me say again, I would find it very hard to believe your SATA drive is doing this, unless it is defective.

Even further, I can record 8 tracks on my Powerbook with a 5400 RPM drive and still go for 30+ minutes. Something else is wrong.

danny · Post by **danny** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 6:48 am

I'm with enc0der. your theory about power supply is interesting, but extremely unlikely. reinstalling OS is the best thing you can do. I have 2 drives but often record to the system drive, many tracks, without ever having had this problem at any track count.

pcoleman · Post by **pcoleman** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 8:37 am

It was, indeed, an upgrade install I did of Tiger, but I will state that this was occurring pre-Tiger as well. I just haven't had time (nor true need) to focus on it until now.

In response to certain points:
- Safari has not been running.
- Always done after fresh startup of DP.

You have started my wheels turning though. What tools (if any) are you using to benchmark?

A fresh install will allow me to organize the machine the way I want anyhow, so I'll probably carve out some time for that...

Paul

mastermix · Post by **mastermix** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 10:25 am

Pcoleman..hi..

Also...in your System Preferences-->Energy Saver-->Sleep options, make sure all is set to "Never".

There could be some weirdness with the way your SATA drive spins up during OS X boot.

Did you increase the audio buffer settings as suggested?

Kris..

<small>[ July 13, 2005, 01:26 PM: Message edited by: mastermix ]</small>

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