My internal hard drive transfer speed has greatly reduced.

[Sapperism]

When I first got my computer (pre-build) the internal Segate 2TB hard drive performed great (it was a while since I checked the transfer speed but from what I remember it was around 300+ mbps). Where as not it is only 26kbps. Now I am wondering why this is and how I can fix this. It has ruined gaming for me (as my games are stored on that Hard drive) and games take forever to(mostly dont open at all). I have had my PC for a little over a year now as well. The Hard drive is not a SSD (my C drive is an SSD).

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Hey there, Sapperism.

Of course it depends on many thing how fast you'd be transferring data (devices, number and size of files, system, etc.), but I'd say that 300Mbps (37MB/s) was still not that great results if you are talking about the transfer speed between the SSD and the HDD. However if you are referring to transfer speed to an external USB 2.0 drive or a USB 2.0 flash drive, this would be normal.

Anyway let's move on to your issue. This really does not sound great. I don't know if your computer is still under warranty and if it is if you can open it without voiding it, but it would be great if you could try that HDD with a different SATA port and different SATA cables, or even better - with a different computer, to see if the same thing happens.
Other than that, if you have no valuable data on that drive except for games (which can be downlaoded/installed again) you should go ahead and download the HDD manufacturer's diagnostic tool so that you can test the drive for bad sectors and errors.

Hope that helps. Please let me know how everything goes.
Boogieman_WD

 

[Sapperism]

Hey there, Sapperism.

Of course it depends on many thing how fast you'd be transferring data (devices, number and size of files, system, etc.), but I'd say that 300Mbps (37MB/s) was still not that great results if you are talking about the transfer speed between the SSD and the HDD. However if you are referring to transfer speed to an external USB 2.0 drive or a USB 2.0 flash drive, this would be normal.

Anyway let's move on to your issue. This really does not sound great. I don't know if your computer is still under warranty and if it is if you can open it without voiding it, but it would be great if you could try that HDD with a different SATA port and different SATA cables, or even better - with a different computer, to see if the same thing happens.
Other than that, if you have no valuable data on that drive except for games (which can be downlaoded/installed again) you should go ahead and download the HDD manufacturer's diagnostic tool so that you can test the drive for bad sectors and errors.

Hope that helps. Please let me know how everything goes.
Boogieman_WD

I use an internal not an external hard drive. It used to work great but now it wont open any games up (and browsing the files within it often freezes/crashes). The SSD performs fine as my C drive but this problematic hard drive is used primarily to store games on. In fact the defragging of this hard drive has been stuck on 1% for over an hour now as well. I purchased my computer from PC case gear.com (I always use this website for computer related products). I will download the diagnostic tool and give it a shot as well.

 

[Boogieman_WD]

I know that you're talking about an internal drive, I was just comparing the speeds. Anyway, this does not sound like an issue due to a unorganized drive, so I'd advise you to stop the defragmentation, as this won't lead to anything good. If you have data which you'd like to keep, go ahead and back it up before you test the drive, no matter how long it takes.

 

[Sapperism]

I know that you're talking about an internal drive, I was just comparing the speeds. Anyway, this does not sound like an issue due to a unorganized drive, so I'd advise you to stop the defragmentation, as this won't lead to anything good. If you have data which you'd like to keep, go ahead and back it up before you test the drive, no matter how long it takes.

I stopped the defragmentation a while ago and started using the Seatools(seagate program) to fix any problems with the hard drive. I will respond if there is any progress. Could a build up of dust cause this problem? (I have not cleaned my PC in a few months). The data on the hard drive is not significant either (video games can be installed/deleted easily so that does not bother me).

 

[Boogieman_WD]

No, it can't be due to dust build up as all drives are hermetically sealed. Even if the tiniest dust particle or hair or whatever gets between the platter and the head, the drive would be done for. That's why data recovery companies have standards and certified "clean rooms" when the guys there have to open a drive and try to recover files. However, it si recommended that you clean your computer at least once a year if not every 6 months as dust build up may cause problems with other components and lead to overheating.

It's a good thing that you have no essential data on that drive. If anything alarming pops-up, I'd recommend that you contact the computer manufacturer and ask if you can RMA the drive.

 

[Sapperism]

No, it can't be due to dust build up as all drives are hermetically sealed. Even if the tiniest dust particle or hair or whatever gets between the platter and the head, the drive would be done for. That's why data recovery companies have standards and certified "clean rooms" when the guys there have to open a drive and try to recover files. However, it si recommended that you clean your computer at least once a year if not every 6 months as dust build up may cause problems with other components and lead to overheating.

It's a good thing that you have no essential data on that drive. If anything alarming pops-up, I'd recommend that you contact the computer manufacturer and ask if you can RMA the drive.

I want to try a few possible solutions first. Could a virus have done such a thing? Not long ago I had some adware I managed to removed with the help of numerous software (avast,malwarebytes,hitman etc). The seagate software is taking a very long time to fix the hard drive (fix all "fast". The progress bar has just stopped and been at the same position for over an hour now). RMA might be the last option seeing that its "destroying" my hard drive. ALSO I had this same problem long ago and fixed it by reformatting my hard drive. Although some games tended to freeze randomly during play (Arma 3 for example). Would this be a viable solution?

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Well you could give it a try. I'd recommend a low level format (this will basically wipe out the whole drive clean). You can perfrom a low level format (a.k.a. write zeros) to drive either via CMD by using DISKPART, or by using software (for example some HDD diagnostic tools support low level formatting). After you're done with that kind of format you'd have to open Disk Management and initialize the drive as if it was a brand new internal HDD. After that you'd be able to partition and format as you see fit. Here's how to do those things:

Low level format:
Option 1 - DISKPART:
1. Open CMD (Command Prompt) as administrator.
2. type in diskpart and press "enter"
3. type in list disk and press "enter", you'll see all the storage devices connected to your computer and you should be able to recognize the drive you wish to format, by its size.
4. type in select disk X and press "enter", where X is the number of the drive you wish to format, so make sure that you've selected the correct one - e.g. if the drive you wish to format is disk 1, type in select disk 1
5. type in clean all and press "enter", then wait for the process to finish.

Option 2 - DLG: How to low level format or write zeros (full erase) to a hard drive or Solid State drive

Initializing a drive: How to initialize or write a signature to a secondary hard drive or Solid State drive in Windows

Partitioning and formatting: How to partition and format a WD drive on Windows and Mac OSX

 

[Sapperism]

Well you could give it a try. I'd recommend a low level format (this will basically wipe out the whole drive clean). You can perfrom a low level format (a.k.a. write zeros) to drive either via CMD by using DISKPART, or by using software (for example some HDD diagnostic tools support low level formatting). After you're done with that kind of format you'd have to open Disk Management and initialize the drive as if it was a brand new internal HDD. After that you'd be able to partition and format as you see fit. Here's how to do those things:

Low level format:
Option 1 - DISKPART:
1. Open CMD (Command Prompt) as administrator.
2. type in diskpart and press "enter"
3. type in list disk and press "enter", you'll see all the storage devices connected to your computer and you should be able to recognize the drive you wish to format, by its size.
4. type in select disk X and press "enter", where X is the number of the drive you wish to format, so make sure that you've selected the correct one - e.g. if the drive you wish to format is disk 1, type in select disk 1
5. type in clean all and press "enter", then wait for the process to finish.

Option 2 - DLG: How to low level format or write zeros (full erase) to a hard drive or Solid State drive

Initializing a drive: How to initialize or write a signature to a secondary hard drive or Solid State drive in Windows

Partitioning and formatting: How to partition and format a WD drive on Windows and Mac OSX

Couldn't I just right click on the hard drive and click format ( I did something around those lines the first time). But I will give your method a shot and see if that helps. Thanks for your help again!


I am doing the method you suggested. How long does the process usually take? It does not have a percentage or anything anywhere. I was only able to figure out if it was working or not by noticing the hard drive missing from the list of hard drives (under computer).


My screen has been like this all day https://gyazo.com/adbacdeee5e53cc5f058fa11db715a57 Is something wrong here?


Following up with this issue, would it be safe to restart the process by closing the cmd application sort of thing and rather than doing clean all as suggested I do "clean" instead?

 

[Sapperism]

Well you could give it a try. I'd recommend a low level format (this will basically wipe out the whole drive clean). You can perform a low level format (a.k.a. write zeros) to drive either via CMD by using DISKPART, or by using software (for example some HDD diagnostic tools support low level formatting). After you're done with that kind of format you'd have to open Disk Management and initialize the drive as if it was a brand new internal HDD. After that you'd be able to partition and format as you see fit. Here's how to do those things:

Low level format:
Option 1 - DISKPART:
1. Open CMD (Command Prompt) as administrator.
2. type in diskpart and press "enter"
3. type in list disk and press "enter", you'll see all the storage devices connected to your computer and you should be able to recognize the drive you wish to format, by its size.
4. type in select disk X and press "enter", where X is the number of the drive you wish to format, so make sure that you've selected the correct one - e.g. if the drive you wish to format is disk 1, type in select disk 1
5. type in clean all and press "enter", then wait for the process to finish.

Option 2 - DLG: How to low level format or write zeros (full erase) to a hard drive or Solid State drive

Initializing a drive: How to initialize or write a signature to a secondary hard drive or Solid State drive in Windows

Partitioning and formatting: How to partition and format a WD drive on Windows and Mac OSX

I managed to reformat the hard drive. To test it I re-installed one steam game (insurgency). The problem occurred again with the game opening late and then just crashing/freezing (not responding) on the start up. I tested the transfer speed on DxTory (for transferring video data for example when recording videos) and was getting 0mbps. I am very certain the hard drive is faulty. I will be required to get a new one. I am doubtful of whether I will get a replacement from Seagate as I dont have a receipt or box with that hard drive that came with my PC. I have a receipt for the entire PC its self from PCCasegear.com.

 

[Sapperism]

I am now absolutely certain that the hard drive is the problem. I copy pasted a movie onto the hard drive and tried to play. The movie would not load. Therefore the hard drive that came with my PC is faulty (may have been the entire time).

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Sorry for not being able to get back to you sooner.

About the clean command it really doesn't look like you've pressed "enter" when you've typed "clean all", but it might have glitched or something as well. The clean all command take a lot of time due to the fact that it writes a zero to every single sector of the drive, thus the larger the drive - the longer it will take.

It really sounds like the HDD is at fault here. Even if you don't have your receipt you might contact either the reseller or the manufacturer to see if the serial number is enough for you to RMA it. I have nothing to lose so go ahead and take your shot.

 

[Sapperism]

I just installed a new Seagate hard drive and that solved the problem. It turns out the hard drive was bad in the first place (it may have been for a long time seeing that games gradually started opening slower and freezing randomly, these problems do not occur anymore and games run much faster now with better frame rates and start up times). Thanks for your help!

 

[Boogieman_WD]

At least everything is OK now. Good job!