Why so much hard disk activity?

We have 2 identical Dell XPS desktop PCs, both with duo 2.66
processors, 240 GB hard drives, and running Vista Home Premium SP1.
For a few years now we've been using a Linksys cable modem which has 4
Ethernet outlets (numbered 1-4) and paired antennas for Wireless-G. My
PC was on Ethernet output 1 and my wife's PC was on a Wireless-G
adapter. Recently my ISP doubled its speed to 16,000 kbps, but this
seemed to have very little effect on my wife's Wireless speed. Rather
than hassle with the wireless system, I uninstalled the Wireless-G
adapter and ran a new Ethernet cable from output 2 to my wife's PC.
This worked great and my wife now is getting speeds matching mine.

The weird thing is that when both PCs are turned on and connected to
the Internet, my PC (Ethernet 1 output) seems to be continually
accessing the hard drive. While this is happening, the output 1 and
output 2 LED's on the modem are madly flickering, as is the disk
access light on the PC. No unusual hard disk activity is going on
with the wife's PC. If I shut down either PC, this excessive hard
disk activity doesn't take place and the output light (1 or 2) is
steady. I've even tried leaving both systems totally inactive for
many hours, other than an automatic check for mail every 5 minutes.
Every 1/2 hour or so I'd look in and see that the hard drive activity
is still going on and the output lights are flickering. Whatever is
going on is happening whether the PCs are active or idle. This has
been going on for 3 days now, 16 hours a day, ever since I added the
new Ethernet line!

Can anyone tell me why there's so much hard disk activity? If it's a
problem, how do I fix it?

Thanks, Bill

I doubt it has anything to do with being wired or wireless.
If one machine is accessing the network or internet and the other isn't, it
must be a program or setting on that machine.
If you had shares on the other machine, it may be looking for them.
Many possibilities and so little info.

--
A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!

Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
"Bill" <> wrote in message
news:...
> We have 2 identical Dell XPS desktop PCs, both with duo 2.66
> processors, 240 GB hard drives, and running Vista Home Premium SP1.
> For a few years now we've been using a Linksys cable modem which has 4
> Ethernet outlets (numbered 1-4) and paired antennas for Wireless-G. My
> PC was on Ethernet output 1 and my wife's PC was on a Wireless-G
> adapter. Recently my ISP doubled its speed to 16,000 kbps, but this
> seemed to have very little effect on my wife's Wireless speed. Rather
> than hassle with the wireless system, I uninstalled the Wireless-G
> adapter and ran a new Ethernet cable from output 2 to my wife's PC.
> This worked great and my wife now is getting speeds matching mine.
>
> The weird thing is that when both PCs are turned on and connected to
> the Internet, my PC (Ethernet 1 output) seems to be continually
> accessing the hard drive. While this is happening, the output 1 and
> output 2 LED's on the modem are madly flickering, as is the disk
> access light on the PC. No unusual hard disk activity is going on
> with the wife's PC. If I shut down either PC, this excessive hard
> disk activity doesn't take place and the output light (1 or 2) is
> steady. I've even tried leaving both systems totally inactive for
> many hours, other than an automatic check for mail every 5 minutes.
> Every 1/2 hour or so I'd look in and see that the hard drive activity
> is still going on and the output lights are flickering. Whatever is
> going on is happening whether the PCs are active or idle. This has
> been going on for 3 days now, 16 hours a day, ever since I added the
> new Ethernet line!
>
> Can anyone tell me why there's so much hard disk activity? If it's a
> problem, how do I fix it?
>
> Thanks, Bill

Hi Bill

Many useful tools here may help..
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s...s/default.aspx

I would possibly start with tcpview
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s...2acd2c271.aspx



"Bill" <> wrote in message
news:...
> We have 2 identical Dell XPS desktop PCs, both with duo 2.66
> processors, 240 GB hard drives, and running Vista Home Premium SP1.
> For a few years now we've been using a Linksys cable modem which has 4
> Ethernet outlets (numbered 1-4) and paired antennas for Wireless-G. My
> PC was on Ethernet output 1 and my wife's PC was on a Wireless-G
> adapter. Recently my ISP doubled its speed to 16,000 kbps, but this
> seemed to have very little effect on my wife's Wireless speed. Rather
> than hassle with the wireless system, I uninstalled the Wireless-G
> adapter and ran a new Ethernet cable from output 2 to my wife's PC.
> This worked great and my wife now is getting speeds matching mine.
>
> The weird thing is that when both PCs are turned on and connected to
> the Internet, my PC (Ethernet 1 output) seems to be continually
> accessing the hard drive. While this is happening, the output 1 and
> output 2 LED's on the modem are madly flickering, as is the disk
> access light on the PC. No unusual hard disk activity is going on
> with the wife's PC. If I shut down either PC, this excessive hard
> disk activity doesn't take place and the output light (1 or 2) is
> steady. I've even tried leaving both systems totally inactive for
> many hours, other than an automatic check for mail every 5 minutes.
> Every 1/2 hour or so I'd look in and see that the hard drive activity
> is still going on and the output lights are flickering. Whatever is
> going on is happening whether the PCs are active or idle. This has
> been going on for 3 days now, 16 hours a day, ever since I added the
> new Ethernet line!
>
> Can anyone tell me why there's so much hard disk activity? If it's a
> problem, how do I fix it?
>
> Thanks, Bill

Two possibilities that I can think of.. I'm certainly not an expert
but you might look into; 1. Microsoft update being active when this
is happening. 2. The possibility of a Root kit that is causing the
problem.

To check on the possibility of a Root kit go to:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb897445.aspx





"Teneo" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi Bill
>
> Many useful tools here may help..
> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s...s/default.aspx
>
> I would possibly start with tcpview
> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s...2acd2c271.aspx
>
>
>
> "Bill" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> We have 2 identical Dell XPS desktop PCs, both with duo 2.66
>> processors, 240 GB hard drives, and running Vista Home Premium SP1.
>> For a few years now we've been using a Linksys cable modem which has 4
>> Ethernet outlets (numbered 1-4) and paired antennas for Wireless-G. My
>> PC was on Ethernet output 1 and my wife's PC was on a Wireless-G
>> adapter. Recently my ISP doubled its speed to 16,000 kbps, but this
>> seemed to have very little effect on my wife's Wireless speed. Rather
>> than hassle with the wireless system, I uninstalled the Wireless-G
>> adapter and ran a new Ethernet cable from output 2 to my wife's PC.
>> This worked great and my wife now is getting speeds matching mine.
>>
>> The weird thing is that when both PCs are turned on and connected to
>> the Internet, my PC (Ethernet 1 output) seems to be continually
>> accessing the hard drive. While this is happening, the output 1 and
>> output 2 LED's on the modem are madly flickering, as is the disk
>> access light on the PC. No unusual hard disk activity is going on
>> with the wife's PC. If I shut down either PC, this excessive hard
>> disk activity doesn't take place and the output light (1 or 2) is
>> steady. I've even tried leaving both systems totally inactive for
>> many hours, other than an automatic check for mail every 5 minutes.
>> Every 1/2 hour or so I'd look in and see that the hard drive activity
>> is still going on and the output lights are flickering. Whatever is
>> going on is happening whether the PCs are active or idle. This has
>> been going on for 3 days now, 16 hours a day, ever since I added the
>> new Ethernet line!
>>
>> Can anyone tell me why there's so much hard disk activity? If it's a
>> problem, how do I fix it?
>>
>> Thanks, Bill
>
>

Short answer>>> vista was made by monkeys



"Bill" <> wrote in message
news:...
> We have 2 identical Dell XPS desktop PCs, both with duo 2.66
> processors, 240 GB hard drives, and running Vista Home Premium SP1.
> For a few years now we've been using a Linksys cable modem which has 4
> Ethernet outlets (numbered 1-4) and paired antennas for Wireless-G. My
> PC was on Ethernet output 1 and my wife's PC was on a Wireless-G
> adapter. Recently my ISP doubled its speed to 16,000 kbps, but this
> seemed to have very little effect on my wife's Wireless speed. Rather
> than hassle with the wireless system, I uninstalled the Wireless-G
> adapter and ran a new Ethernet cable from output 2 to my wife's PC.
> This worked great and my wife now is getting speeds matching mine.
>
> The weird thing is that when both PCs are turned on and connected to
> the Internet, my PC (Ethernet 1 output) seems to be continually
> accessing the hard drive. While this is happening, the output 1 and
> output 2 LED's on the modem are madly flickering, as is the disk
> access light on the PC. No unusual hard disk activity is going on
> with the wife's PC. If I shut down either PC, this excessive hard
> disk activity doesn't take place and the output light (1 or 2) is
> steady. I've even tried leaving both systems totally inactive for
> many hours, other than an automatic check for mail every 5 minutes.
> Every 1/2 hour or so I'd look in and see that the hard drive activity
> is still going on and the output lights are flickering. Whatever is
> going on is happening whether the PCs are active or idle. This has
> been going on for 3 days now, 16 hours a day, ever since I added the
> new Ethernet line!
>
> Can anyone tell me why there's so much hard disk activity? If it's a
> problem, how do I fix it?
>
> Thanks, Bill

"Clear Windows" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Short answer>>> vista was made by monkeys
>
>
>
> "Bill" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> We have 2 identical Dell XPS desktop PCs, both with duo 2.66
>> processors, 240 GB hard drives, and running Vista Home Premium SP1.
>> For a few years now we've been using a Linksys cable modem which has 4
>> Ethernet outlets (numbered 1-4) and paired antennas for Wireless-G. My
>> PC was on Ethernet output 1 and my wife's PC was on a Wireless-G
>> adapter. Recently my ISP doubled its speed to 16,000 kbps, but this
>> seemed to have very little effect on my wife's Wireless speed. Rather
>> than hassle with the wireless system, I uninstalled the Wireless-G
>> adapter and ran a new Ethernet cable from output 2 to my wife's PC.
>> This worked great and my wife now is getting speeds matching mine.
>>
>> The weird thing is that when both PCs are turned on and connected to
>> the Internet, my PC (Ethernet 1 output) seems to be continually
>> accessing the hard drive. While this is happening, the output 1 and
>> output 2 LED's on the modem are madly flickering, as is the disk
>> access light on the PC. No unusual hard disk activity is going on
>> with the wife's PC. If I shut down either PC, this excessive hard
>> disk activity doesn't take place and the output light (1 or 2) is
>> steady. I've even tried leaving both systems totally inactive for
>> many hours, other than an automatic check for mail every 5 minutes.
>> Every 1/2 hour or so I'd look in and see that the hard drive activity
>> is still going on and the output lights are flickering. Whatever is
>> going on is happening whether the PCs are active or idle. This has
>> been going on for 3 days now, 16 hours a day, ever since I added the
>> new Ethernet line!
>>
>> Can anyone tell me why there's so much hard disk activity? If it's a
>> problem, how do I fix it?
>>
>> Thanks, Bill
>

To find out what file is being written to, go to
Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Reliability and Performance Monitor

Expand the Disk tab. Click on the Write column heading of the revealed
report.
That will sort write disk activity from largest to smallest. Whatever shows
up
on top is the likely culprit. Tells us what that is.

Dan Mercer

"Bill" <> wrote in message
news:...
> We have 2 identical Dell XPS desktop PCs, both with duo 2.66
> processors, 240 GB hard drives, and running Vista Home Premium SP1.
> For a few years now we've been using a Linksys cable modem which has 4
> Ethernet outlets (numbered 1-4) and paired antennas for Wireless-G. My
> PC was on Ethernet output 1 and my wife's PC was on a Wireless-G
> adapter. Recently my ISP doubled its speed to 16,000 kbps, but this
> seemed to have very little effect on my wife's Wireless speed. Rather
> than hassle with the wireless system, I uninstalled the Wireless-G
> adapter and ran a new Ethernet cable from output 2 to my wife's PC.
> This worked great and my wife now is getting speeds matching mine.
>
> The weird thing is that when both PCs are turned on and connected to
> the Internet, my PC (Ethernet 1 output) seems to be continually
> accessing the hard drive. While this is happening, the output 1 and
> output 2 LED's on the modem are madly flickering, as is the disk
> access light on the PC. No unusual hard disk activity is going on
> with the wife's PC. If I shut down either PC, this excessive hard
> disk activity doesn't take place and the output light (1 or 2) is
> steady. I've even tried leaving both systems totally inactive for
> many hours, other than an automatic check for mail every 5 minutes.
> Every 1/2 hour or so I'd look in and see that the hard drive activity
> is still going on and the output lights are flickering. Whatever is
> going on is happening whether the PCs are active or idle. This has
> been going on for 3 days now, 16 hours a day, ever since I added the
> new Ethernet line!
>
> Can anyone tell me why there's so much hard disk activity? If it's a
> problem, how do I fix it?


It's possible that your wife's computer is using your computer as a gateway.
But is Internet Connection Sharing is being used, the internet connection
should be lost when your computer is shut down. Make sure the TCP/IP
settings in Connection Properties are set to automatic (if you are using
DHCP in you router).

ss.

RE: I Have The Same Problem On Older Computer's, Just FYI.

"Bill" wrote:

> We have 2 identical Dell XPS desktop PCs, both with duo 2.66
> processors, 240 GB hard drives, and running Vista Home Premium SP1.
> For a few years now we've been using a Linksys cable modem which has 4
> Ethernet outlets (numbered 1-4) and paired antennas for Wireless-G. My
> PC was on Ethernet output 1 and my wife's PC was on a Wireless-G
> adapter. Recently my ISP doubled its speed to 16,000 kbps, but this
> seemed to have very little effect on my wife's Wireless speed. Rather
> than hassle with the wireless system, I uninstalled the Wireless-G
> adapter and ran a new Ethernet cable from output 2 to my wife's PC.
> This worked great and my wife now is getting speeds matching mine.
>
> The weird thing is that when both PCs are turned on and connected to
> the Internet, my PC (Ethernet 1 output) seems to be continually
> accessing the hard drive. While this is happening, the output 1 and
> output 2 LED's on the modem are madly flickering, as is the disk
> access light on the PC. No unusual hard disk activity is going on
> with the wife's PC. If I shut down either PC, this excessive hard
> disk activity doesn't take place and the output light (1 or 2) is
> steady. I've even tried leaving both systems totally inactive for
> many hours, other than an automatic check for mail every 5 minutes.
> Every 1/2 hour or so I'd look in and see that the hard drive activity
> is still going on and the output lights are flickering. Whatever is
> going on is happening whether the PCs are active or idle. This has
> been going on for 3 days now, 16 hours a day, ever since I added the
> new Ethernet line!
>
> Can anyone tell me why there's so much hard disk activity? If it's a
> problem, how do I fix it?
>
> Thanks, Bill
>

I have similar disk activity issues.. Every time I save something, or go
inactive my disk drive starts up and doesn't stop for up to 2 hours at a
time..

I have used resource monitor and have traced the culprit as..

C;\System volume
information\{49deb030-5ac8-11dd-9cec-001bb9b980be}{3808876b-c176-4e48-b7ae-04046e6cc752}

Does anyone now what this is??
What does it do??
How do I de-activate it??

dont have my activition key

"Bill" wrote:

> We have 2 identical Dell XPS desktop PCs, both with duo 2.66
> processors, 240 GB hard drives, and running Vista Home Premium SP1.
> For a few years now we've been using a Linksys cable modem which has 4
> Ethernet outlets (numbered 1-4) and paired antennas for Wireless-G. My
> PC was on Ethernet output 1 and my wife's PC was on a Wireless-G
> adapter. Recently my ISP doubled its speed to 16,000 kbps, but this
> seemed to have very little effect on my wife's Wireless speed. Rather
> than hassle with the wireless system, I uninstalled the Wireless-G
> adapter and ran a new Ethernet cable from output 2 to my wife's PC.
> This worked great and my wife now is getting speeds matching mine.
>
> The weird thing is that when both PCs are turned on and connected to
> the Internet, my PC (Ethernet 1 output) seems to be continually
> accessing the hard drive. While this is happening, the output 1 and
> output 2 LED's on the modem are madly flickering, as is the disk
> access light on the PC. No unusual hard disk activity is going on
> with the wife's PC. If I shut down either PC, this excessive hard
> disk activity doesn't take place and the output light (1 or 2) is
> steady. I've even tried leaving both systems totally inactive for
> many hours, other than an automatic check for mail every 5 minutes.
> Every 1/2 hour or so I'd look in and see that the hard drive activity
> is still going on and the output lights are flickering. Whatever is
> going on is happening whether the PCs are active or idle. This has
> been going on for 3 days now, 16 hours a day, ever since I added the
> new Ethernet line!
>
> Can anyone tell me why there's so much hard disk activity? If it's a
> problem, how do I fix it?
>
> Thanks, Bill
>