Copy Trouble

[videorama]

I have added 2 external hard drives to my system for the purpose of keeping jpeg and mpeg data both as a back-up (while editing) and as archived data for the future. The problem that I have is the raw jpeg/mpeg files, DMSM projects, ISO, and just plain WMP files that taken from the computer internal hard drive and have duplicated in the external drives all have a glitch in them at a rate of about 1 to 2 times a second! Another words, both the picture and sound has a split second pause about every second.

 

I used the standard Windows copy method:

 

Highlight the applicable original file,

right click,

"copy",

move cursor to the external hard drive icon,

right click,

"paste"

 

I am unaware of anyother method of transfer so I am high and dry on this one.

 

If anyone has a suggestion I would appreciate knowing about it. I have noted that many of you advise backing up and since I have recently lost a hard drive I thought that I would learn by my mistakes.

 

Thanks in advance for any/all help!

[cdanteek]

No problems with the Mac banter. It is just joking around between friends. My main computer is a pc but when that is tied up -- if for instance, doing AVCHD disc, I use a laptop. I had a HP with Vista and did not like it nor could I do anything to make it work better. I now blame it on the laptop in combination with Vista and some of my prejudices. Out of frustration, I bought a refurbished Powerbook Pro. I like it.

 

I found that there are a few good programs for the MAC in addition to the ILife. The programs seem to be more expensive to do what is cheaper in pc. I have Final Cut Express for major video editing and Toast for capture/burning/audio/etc. and PhotoShop for Mac. The computer is fast because it is not loaded down with a lot of programs.

 

They both have their places. I don't think I would go to a desktop MAC.

 

Why not?

 

cd

[sknis]

Why not?

 

cd

 

Guru drift warning !!!

 

$$$$ for the software. Windows 7 may be a factor that might change my mind if it as good as Vista Home Premium.

 

I am swearing off inexpensive computers; they just don't live up to my needs (lots of video with more and more HD.) I also have no great desire to build my own. I could never get the inside of a computer to look (and function) as good/well as my 3 year old VelocityMicro. Upgrades, I can handle !

[videorama]

Firewire will work it always has while USB has been a struggling wannabe since Win98…

 

However, laptop 1394 mini ports don’t always provide the 2 way connection needed for an external. I am not talking about Powering the device (the device will need as external power supply) but rather the 2-way connection between the Lap and the Device.

 

My older Dell 8200 doesn’t have USB2 and the 1394 mini port will not run with an external HD. I have a PCMICA Firewire card and it rocks using that.

 

Grrrrr! So short of purchasing the firewire capable unit and trying it out - is there a way to know if this will work on my computer?

 

The VAIO has a 6 pin Firewire on the rear panel and a 4 pin on the front panel. I have the video cam Firewire installed to the back panel

 

Here I thought I had a sure fire way to go but now the waters are muddied.

[Brendon]

Durn!

 

I had hoped they would have used a standard BIOS, but it would seem they've used their own OEM one.

 

Their manual is quite clear saying there are 7 x USB 2.0 ports. I think they're not enabled in your BIOS settings for some reason, but only SONY will know how to check/enable that, it seems.

 

[1] I'd keep at Sony, suggesting their advertising is false or their product defective. If they go on about its age, tell them it has never worked differently, so whatever fault there is has been with the machine all along. You could ask them "How can I check that USB 2 is enabled in the BIOS?"

 

[2] If they behave badly and won't help you, the add-on USB board is still an option. It works independently of the BIOS, however you shouldn't need to go to that expense - small though it is.

 

Regards,

Brendon

[cdanteek]

videorama,

 

The waters were muddied when the PCV-RZ44G VAIO's specs show the pc having USB 2.0 and you having problems. You said you bought external USB hard drives, why not have a pc tech look at your pc and figure out what the problem is. There has to be a setting in your bios for the USB Controller...

 

cd

[cdanteek]

Guru drift warning !!!

 

$$$$ for the software. Windows 7 may be a factor that might change my mind if it as good as Vista Home Premium.

 

I am swearing off inexpensive computers; they just don't live up to my needs (lots of video with more and more HD.) I also have no great desire to build my own. I could never get the inside of a computer to look (and function) as good/well as my 3 year old VelocityMicro. Upgrades, I can handle !

 

Sure you could, I poked Paul with a stick until he finally did....poke, poke.

 

cd

 

 

[videorama]

Durn!

 

I had hoped they would have used a standard BIOS, but it would seem they've used their own OEM one.

 

Their manual is quite clear saying there are 7 x USB 2.0 ports. I think they're not enabled in your BIOS settings for some reason, but only SONY will know how to check/enable that, it seems.

 

[1] I'd keep at Sony, suggesting their advertising is false or their product defective. If they go on about its age, tell them it has never worked differently, so whatever fault there is has been with the machine all along. You could ask them "How can I check that USB 2 is enabled in the BIOS?"

 

[2] If they behave badly and won't help you, the add-on USB board is still an option. It works independently of the BIOS, however you shouldn't need to go to that expense - small though it is.

 

Regards,

Brendon

 

You pretty well hiy it on the head! I have searched and searched the net to no avail. I did find one place on Sony.com where they explained how to find BIOS all be it on a laptop. Tried that and nothing! I even ran across an article that mentioned a "Secret" code in order to do BIOS.

 

Not to Sony bash but as I mentioned - over time I have found Sony to be the exception to the rule both in operation and parts. I will use this knowledge in my decission making for future purchases.

 

Sony has basically cut me off. There last e-mail implied that I need to pay for support. I had asked for the steps required to get to BIOS and it has fallen on deaf ears. This too will go into my future decission making.

 

As for the additional USb controller - again, there doesn't appear to be an opening. The Sony one is unique in that it has a cluster of 4 USB ports rather than the typical 4/5 across.

 

I do have a trusted shop nearby and have done business with them in the past so I'll approach them and see what they have to offer om the subject. I also have an informed co-worker so I'll lean on him a little even though I have retired from there. (He is a good ole egg)

 

I do recall that one of the guys here had a VAIO but I guess he doesn't follow the older community. He was quite savvy and probably knows how to solve this. Oh well!

 

I very much appreciate your time and effort and if I ever get this resolved I'll let you know the answer.

 

Jerry

 

[cdanteek]

Try the following

 

1. At the BIOS boot up screen, Press the "F2" function key to enter the BIOS Setup Utility.

 

 

Did you try what myguggi suggested?

 

This is for your model PCV-RZ44G....5. Press F2 at BIOS boot up screen to enter BIOS Setup Utility.

 

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-downl...43&os_id=16

 

cd

[grandpabruce]

How are the externals connected to your computer? If they are USB, do you have them plugged into USB 2.0 ports on the back of your computer?

[videorama]

Did you try what myguggi suggested?

 

This is for your model PCV-RZ44G....5. Press F2 at BIOS boot up screen to enter BIOS Setup Utility.

 

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-downl...43&os_id=16

 

cd

 

 

Yes. I did that as he suggested. In fact, I received an e-mail from Sony Support which outlined the entire procedure and it works to the point of pressing F2 and moving to the "Advanced" tab on th "BIOS Setup" screen. There is no "USB Controller" as a subject. The closest is "Onboard Devices Configuration" which when selected has only:

 

Onboard LAN controller (Enabled)

Onboard LAN Boot ROM (Disabled)

Onboard 1394 controller (Enabled)

Onboard AC' 97 Audio controller (Auto)

Onboard AC' 97 Modem controller (AUTO)

Parallel Port Addess (Disabled)

 

I have a reply back to Sony to determine why the system does not display the USB Controller BIOS data and how to get to it?

 

I would be really upset if this had me high and dry but I can continue like this as long as I do my transfers overnight. I assume doing the transfers in the background will only tie things up for a longer period of time.

 

Well, thanks to you for the interest. I got to say - this is the most impressive forum I have evey seen! All of you make the differemce. This has no real association with Roxio and look at all the help that I've received.

 

 

Jerry

 

[cdanteek]

Jerry does this look familiar, like your Bios?

 

You have to use the directional arrows on the key board to move to the advanced tab. Then arrow down to USB configuration, once there highlight the USB controller, hit the enter button on the key board, arrow to enable, hit the enter button. Now click the 'ESC' button, arrow to Exit, select Exit & Save Changes(it might default to that) hit enter on the key board, enter OK with the enter button on the next screen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

cd

 

[Brendon]

Hi Jerry,

 

I hot-linked that Sony reference for you. You use the green icon with the plus [+] next to the underline button when writing a message, to make hotlinks.

 

Yes, there are 7 x USB 2.0 ports there all right. So why are they defaulting to slow mode? Are they activated in your BIOS ?

 

Try this to check that out. I think you'll have an Award BIOS:

-restart, and go into your SETUP screen. Pressing the DEL button as the machine starts should do it, I think.

-your setup screen should show several tabs. Select the PERIPHERALS one, and look for ONBOARD DEVICE.

-You should get a screen like this one

 

 

Make sure that the first two items are showing "Enabled". If they aren't, change them to Enabled, then press F10 - save and exit.

 

Please come back and report what you find.

 

[videorama]

Jerry does this look familiar, like your Bios?

 

You have to use the directional arrows on the key board to move to the advanced tab. Then arrow down to USB configuration, once there highlight the USB controller, hit the enter button on the key board, arrow to enable, hit the enter button. Now click the 'ESC' button, arrow to Exit, select Exit & Save Changes(it might default to that) hit enter on the key board, enter OK with the enter button on the next screen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

cd

 

Yes, to an extent! Screen 1 - OK. Screen 2 - mine only has:

 

CPU Configuration

Onboard Device Configuration

 

That's it! No USB Configuration (or anything else) to select.

 

As previous stated, "Onboard Devices" does not include "USB Configuration" either.

 

Sorry but I am in this way over my head so the only comment I have to offer may be way off the mark but I suppose the USB Configuration stuff is located somewhere else on the Sony. Some article said somethiing about the BIOS being on the motherboard if that accounts for anything?

 

This could become a career but now I am just challenged to resolve this. I shouldn't say I because it is all of you that have the ideas.

 

Thanks for the extensive effort to provide me with the screen shots. I would try the same but not real sure how to attach them. Anyway they would show the same as yours but limited to the 2 selectins listed above.

 

[cdanteek]

Do you have 'Chipset' in the top menu like 'Advanced'? Check in it for USB setting, click 'ESC' to return.

 

cd

[videorama]

How are the externals connected to your computer? If they are USB, do you have them plugged into USB 2.0 ports on the back of your computer?

 

Thanks for the time to answer my query.

 

Yes, I do have the external drives connected to the USB plugs on the back of the computer CPU but, as far as I know, my Sony Vaio (PCV-RZ - circa 2003) is just USB. I know the external drives are capable of USB 2 but when the machine boots up with a message about USB 2 being faster it then follows up with a message that USB 2 is not available.

 

So, to the point, The implication is that the glitches are the "hunks" of data coming across the USB rather than a smooth continuous fast flow of data that a USB 2 would allow.

 

I do have a Firewire 1394EEE (that I use to download the camcorder mpegs) but I don't see where that would connect to the external drives.

 

Are there any options here?

[Brendon]

Are there any options here?

 

Your USB 1.1 on your computer won't be able to bring the files in fast enough to play. If your Vaio is a desktop, an admirable solution would be a PCI card to provide USB 2.0 and that will let you go up towards 480 Megabits/second.

 

A card which provides 4 or 5 USB 2.0 ports can be got for $15 to $30. Do a search on "PCI USB card" and you'll see hundreds of sources.

[videorama]

No "Chipset" anywhere. I have only MENU, ADVANCED, POWER, BOOT, and EXIT. Beyond that I opened every selection and no "Chipset" to be found.

 

Jerry

[videorama]

Your USB 1.1 on your computer won't be able to bring the files in fast enough to play. If your Vaio is a desktop, an admirable solution would be a PCI card to provide USB 2.0 and that will let you go up towards 480 Megabits/second.

 

A card which provides 4 or 5 USB 2.0 ports can be got for $15 to $30. Do a search on "PCI USB card" and you'll see hundreds of sources.

 

Thanks ever so much. I know nothing about PC's but I'll try to find someone who can install the PCI card as the Vaio is a desktop. With the new PCI card, what will happen to the other equipment that is currently connected to the USB 1.1 ports. Will they then plug into the new ports and continue to work as before or will the new card be "in addition" to the existing cards?

 

Well, anyway I now know what the troublle is.

[Brendon]

Hello,

 

Usually the new ports on the card are quite independent of your original ones. You can leave original equipment plugged into the USB 1.1 ports if you want, or move it to the new ports if it can use the higher speed available.

[cdanteek]

Jerry,

 

It's very strange you have such a difficult pc. My suggestion would be to take it to that pc repair shop you said you have used.

 

Please come back and tell us what's up with this Sony, Model PCV-RZ44G pc!

 

cd

[videorama]

videorama,

 

The waters were muddied when the PCV-RZ44G VAIO's specs show the pc having USB 2.0 and you having problems. You said you bought external USB hard drives, why not have a pc tech look at your pc and figure out what the problem is. There has to be a setting in your bios for the USB Controller...

 

cd

 

Finally got a Sony chat guy that knew what he is doing. He said to Uninstall each of the USB controllers. Then restart and they will be recognized and configured correctly. A caviot is that on power up a disc might be asked to be installed. I should type C:\windows\inf and that I might have to turn on the hidden files for that. Well this is pretty complex for me. Add to that Windows Restore does not function since ATT/Yahoo advised that I use their McAfee security software. Before (with Norton) I would turn Norton "Off" and restore worked fine - not McAfee! So that leaves me up that well known creek if the uninstall and install goes south.

 

Basically, I will likey go to the shop I've used before and pay them to get me my USB 2.

 

I'm learning that talk (or print) is cheap and support is blowing smoke! Next computer is likely going to be a MAC and regardless of the brand, it is going to be fired up right there before I pay a dime or leave the store. Better yet - I'll buy from the computer guy I use!

 

I do thank all of you for your help.

[videorama]

Hi Jerry,

 

I hot-linked that Sony reference for you. You use the green icon with the plus [+] next to the underline button when writing a message, to make hotlinks.

 

Yes, there are 7 x USB 2.0 ports there all right. So why are they defaulting to slow mode? Are they activated in your BIOS ?

 

Try this to check that out. I think you'll have an Award BIOS:

-restart, and go into your SETUP screen. Pressing the DEL button as the machine starts should do it, I think.

-your setup screen should show several tabs. Select the PERIPHERALS one, and look for ONBOARD DEVICE.

-You should get a screen like this one

 

 

Make sure that the first two items are showing "Enabled". If they aren't, change them to Enabled, then press F10 - save and exit.

 

Please come back and report what you find.

 

Brendon.

 

Beyond all - I am thoroughly convinced that this puter has no USB 2.0!!!

 

I tried your suggestion to no avail. The system fires up as follows:

 

Sony logo (several seconds)

Intel Pentium logo (several seconds)

"Windows is starting"

 

During each of the above 3 phases I have tried several (F2, F10, Delete, Esc - as referenced by you and a tutorial website) and Never does a thing but fire up.

 

I finally found a trail to the "System Information" for the computer and under "USB" there are the same 14 entries (as listed in a previous reply) and not a one has USB 2.0 associated with it. I am firmly convinced that there are no USB 2.0 ports in this computer, regardless of what Sony data shows.

 

I guess the next step is to contact Sony (which I'm sure they will care less on a 6 year old computer) and ask what's up.

 

If I ever resolve this situation - I will let you know. In the meantime, thanks so very much for the help. Your guidance has, at the very least, taught me something about computers so I am better off than I was a few days ago.

 

Jerry

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Hardin]

Yah, that's it!

 

You buy a MAC and you won't have any trouble

 

MACs have the same problems or worse but you get to pay 3X the money to have them

[videorama]

Jerry,

 

It's very strange you have such a difficult pc. My suggestion would be to take it to that pc repair shop you said you have used.

 

Please come back and tell us what's up with this Sony, Model PCV-RZ44G pc!

 

cd

 

Yeah, it is obvious that something is up. Sony has begged off and suggests that I pay for call to support. I would but the few times I have they run wild and sometimes never get to the point. I will enquire if the repair guy has heard of this or has someone with Sony smarts. I have tried to find a place on the web for PCV-RZ44G VAIO's but no such luck. Sony does not host a forum. I'm sure there are lots of people out there with VAIO and they must have USB 2 operating on them.

 

I will let you know what I find out!

 

[videorama]

Hello,

 

Usually the new ports on the card are quite independent of your original ones. You can leave original equipment plugged into the USB 1.1 ports if you want, or move it to the new ports if it can use the higher speed available.

 

Good morning!

 

A nights sleep helps anything. I think it came to me that you are saying the files are fine but the USB 1.1 just won't allow them to flow back to the computer (Windows Media Player) fast enough to be seamless. So, I can continue to back-up and archive my data (mpeg, jpeg, ISO, etc ) in the externals but if and when I need to see them, I will have to re-transfer them back aboard the PC first. If that is correct - I can live with that.

 

To carry on. I looked at my Vaio manual (Yes, when all else fails - read the book) in regards to your suggestion about the PCI card and to my surprise the 3 USB's on the front panel and 4 on the back panel are "USB 2.0"! This is strange because, as I mentioned in a previous reply, a message appears at times advising that USB 2 is a faster process and if I click a box in that message it will locate any such USB2's. When I do click that box there is a slight delay and then a reply that no "USB2's are found.

 

As I mentioned before, I have no computer knowledge so the following questions arise:

 

 

Would the shop that put the new hard drive in have not configured/mis-configured something?

 

Can the USB 2 feature in my Vaio be acticated/turned on?

 

 

 

Thanks, Jerry