1 Topic by rabb (edited by rabb 2008-04-18 18:15:48)

  • rabb
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Topic: [solved] Operations are too slow and system time slows down

Hi,

When using Gparted Live CD (version actually doesn't matter, I tried several, but eventually I used 3.4-11) all operations are two slow and even more sytem time slows down during all operations. I think it has someting to do with OS Linux and hard drive detection.

I did several tests. Gparted Live CD detects my hard drives as /dev/hda? while all other Linux distros detect them as /dev/sda?. I tied to backup my whole HDD using 'dd' command. It took 6 hours to dump 40GB HDD with Gparted Live CD and system time became 5 hours delay. While when using other Linux distro, it took just 35 minutes to perform the same operation.

Likewise, when using Gparted application from Gparted Live CD, it took 12 hours to move my 28GB partition. As soon as I used Gparted application from System Rescue CD (also Live CD and also using Gentoo Linux), it took just 2.5 hours to perform the same move. I believe it has something to do with the fact how my HDD is detected. During the move with Gparted Live CD, system clock became 8.5 hours delay which corresponds to the time needed for the move with System Rescue CD; and also it corresponds to the fact that Gparted estimated the move to be done in 2.5 hours in both cases.

I'd say that the HDD driver doesn't work correctly and causes the clock delay

Has someone experienced anything similar? Do you know what can be wrong? How can I fix this situation?

Any comment is welcomed and appreciated.

Thanks

2 Reply by class413

  • class413
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Re: [solved] Operations are too slow and system time slows down

Thank you for your comments.
Users' input is useful to improve the software, solve problems and fix eventual bugs.

First think, latest Gparted versions (testing version since several days and stable version since today) 0.3.6-7 are based on Debian. This is a rather important change in relation to the issues you mention.

Copying/cloning partitions and entire hard disks is done faster by "Clonezilla". Gparted isn't optimized for these operations.
About the /hda or /sda issue: often, the BIOS can be configured to make a SATA hard disk looking as ATA to the operating system. Linux usually ignores many instruction of this kind and looks directly to the hardware. Nevertheless, it could be related to the BIOS, chipset and h/d firmware.

If these remarks are still valid for the newest version, I'd like to ask you to write a bug report (in the main Gparted site), including details  on the hardware, chipset and BIOS.

*** It is highly recommended to backup any important files before doing resize/move operations. ***

3 Reply by rabb

  • rabb
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Re: [solved] Operations are too slow and system time slows down

Hello Guys,

I downloaded and tested your new release, which is Gparted Live CD 0.3.6-7. I have to confirm that the new release works correctly and quicky. I don't know if it's because of Debian, I'd doubt that. I'd say it's because my HDD is recognized correctly and correct drivers are used. When using the latest version based on Debian, my hdd is detected as /dev/sda disk and all operations are performed average speed. No system clock delay has been noticed either. Congratulations, great work guys!

As to BIOS setting, I knew about this problem, but I didn't find any configuration related to this in my BIOS.

I just regret that I didn't have the current version two weeks ago when I was performing the partition resize. I could save a lot of time.

If you are interested, a small comparison test results follow. I performed a 'dd' dump lasting about 1 minute. Every result contains: data amount, average speed and time period reported by 'dd'; and a final dump file size.

### sysresccd 0.4.3 ###

sda2:
dd: 1.2 GB, 19.4 MB/s, 61.3 s
file: 519356416

### Gparted Live CD 0.3.6-11 ###

sda2:
dd: 800 MB, 14.0 MB/s, 59.8555 s
file: 510361600

### Gparted 0.3.4-11 Live CD ###

sda2:
dd: 100 MB, 2.9 MB/s, 35 s
file: 39780352

### CloneZilla 1.0.7-18 Live CD ###

sda2:
dd: 1.1 GB, 17.2 MB/s, 62.7 s
file: 477052928

### Slax ###

sda2:
dd: ??
file: 469303296

### BootItNG ###

file: 264199168

### Norton Ghost ###

file: 357913941

###############