Moving files to USB flash drive slow, often "freezes" system

[Elliot B.]

I have an 8 GB USB flash drive from Microsoft.

Moving files to it is slow.

For example, a 5 GB file takes around 10 minutes.

During the move, the progress bar stops and Windows "freezes" (programs say "not responding", as if they're waiting for something), then everything resumes for another x amount of time (usually around 20 seconds) before the system freezes again.

I've tried plugging it directly into the motherboard and into one of the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive's USB port - same issue on both.

Any ideas?

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

Any ideas?

1) chkdsk

2) plug it directly into the motherboard avoiding a hub if any.

[Elliot B.]

1) chkdsk

2) plug it directly into the motherboard avoiding a hub if any.

1) Nothing wrong.

2) You didn't read my post.

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

So does it ever complete the file-copying process just taking it too slow or does it always freeze?

[Elliot B.]

So does it ever complete the file-copying process just taking it too slow or does it always freeze?

It completes, it just takes 15 minutes for a 5.5 GB file. The "time remaining" sometimes jumps to "45 minutes" etc. just after the freeze before instantly dropping back to 1 minute, which is the correct value.

Seems like a bus issue perhaps.

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

It completes, it just takes 15 minutes for a 5.5 GB file.

I dunno, but it seems normal for USB I/II.

The freeze could be due to CPU or HDD overload while you're doing smth there in the meantime.

[Elliot B.]

I dunno, but it seems normal for USB I/II.

The speed is not normal. The freezing is not normal.

There is a conflict somewhere, but I am unsure where to look.

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

There is a conflict somewhere, but I am unsure where to look.

You can try doing the windows update and getting the latest intel chipset drivers/utility.

[Elliot B.]

You can try doing the windows update and getting the latest intel chipset drivers/utility.

All drivers are up-to-date.

This motherboard has been hassle since I first got it :/

[Hum]

I get 'not responding' on my netbook, simply because it does not have a powerful CPU. :/

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

This motherboard has been hassle since I first got it :/

You have my sympathy. I used to be in the same situation...

[Elliot B.]

I get 'not responding' on my netbook, simply because it does not have a powerful CPU. :/

This is an i5-750 and only happens when I am transferring data via. USB :/

[Hum]

^ Perhaps you should think about upgrading to a USB 3 motherboard, when you can. ;)

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

does this happen with any other flash drives?

when the 8GB drive is plugged in, can you check Device Manager for conflicts? Also, you can check the properties on your USB hubs in device manager to make sure theyre operating at high speed (or equivalent)

Do you get a warning from Windows saying something like "this drive may perform faster if..."?

Can you try the 8GB drive in another computer?

[tsupersonic]

Does this happen with other flash drives or is it just specific to this flash drive?

[Noir Angel]

If it's also happening in the xbox that suggests the issue is with the drive, not your computer.

[cybertimber2008]

Sounds like something on the flash drive is failing if it's happening on two computers.

Save your data while you can.

That said, what format is the drive and what is the computer OS? I found out the hard way that underpowered linux computers (eg: pogoplug) and NTFS basically doesn't work (really slow copy) but formatting to fat32 fixed it.

[+BudMan MVC]

^ since his file is over 4GB, fat32 kind of not an option.

As to normal or not - so you doing a 5.5GB file copy via usb. in 15 minutes - this works out to a bit over 6MBps. Not great, but not all usb are created equal. Can you grab a speed benchmark test for read/write on the usb. What does that show. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-lightweight-tools-to-check-the-speed-of-your-usb-flash-drive-windows/

Not sure what an xbox does for usb, but on windows is it set for performance or removal?

[+BudMan MVC]

double post? odd?

[Kai Y]

As to normal or not - so you doing a 5.5GB file copy via usb. in 15 minutes - this works out to a bit over 6MBps. Not great, but not all usb are created equal.

6MB/s seems quite normal for a the write speed of a cheap USB drive. If it was an SD card, it would meet class 6 specs - and the cheap SD cards now are still class 4.

[ccoltmanm]

I've had this similar issue. It is related to formatting the disk as a NTFS. Also an 8 gig. I never found a solution.

[TEX4S]

OP mentioned it was a "Microsoft" drive - which means it was a re-branded el cheapo - 6MB/sec - completely believable.

Here is what your options are:

1.) Throw it away, spend $25 get a new 16GB flash drive (just dont buy Sandisk)

2.) Throw it away and stop fretting over a freebie drive

3.) Throw it away and spend some money to get a real flash drive

4.) Throw it away, spend some money and slap a USB3.0 drive on there and get a Corsair VoyagerGT 3.0 and watch 80MB/sec speeds

5.) Throw it away

See what Im getting at ? Its simply not worth the time or aggravation - it was probably free to begin with.

1 last idea - since it still works somewhat - throw some pics on there which you would like to back up & toss the drive in a sock drawer or a safe if you have one - it still serves a meaningful purpose and you aren't wasting time and energy on something pathetic.

Unless of course you're only 12 and live in a 3rd world banana republic

[WAQT]

Reviving the thread to add, I was having the same problem, this (KB976972) solved it

[patseguin Global Moderator]

Is the OP's problem fixed? I was wondering if maybe it was a driver issue with your mobo's USB.

[omnivoreart]

I have found that almost all of these sorts of problems with win8/10 can be solved using the free program Teracopy. It's fast and easy to use (not an ad, just a really happy user).