Slow write speed on Survivor GTR

[mtahearn]

I have 3 Survivor 32gb GTR units, all with the same issue. Incredibly slow write speeds. Plus the fact the LED activity light flases a lot, more then what I think is normal. One of the units failed to access any stored data and has since been replaced.

My Survivor 8gb GT is still going strong and has no problems.

The sticks go in many PC's, about 6 different units every day on average, all with similar effects.

It's as if the drive has inbuilt 'leveling' software trying to average out the writes across all the memory or something.

Even after 'safely removing hardware' says the unit can be safely ejected, the LED still flashes for a good 15 seconds.

In comparison tests when backing up to my Corsairs, NAS, external HD and other USB sticks, the GTR's lag behind noticeably.

I've done some web searching and also through these forums and have tried everything I have come across to fix it, without luck so far.

So what I am actually chasing up, having resigned myself that these will never be fast, is there something like a firmware upgrade or similar that may address the issue.

Thank You.

[RAM GUY]

You might try and format the drives with the Format utility from the SD-CARD Organization. Then run the test again and see if that helps.

But the device you are connecting it to may need an update to work properly with the GTR devices also the ports need to provide 500MAmps or it may keep them at USB 1 speeds if enough power is not provided.

[mtahearn]

i have already tried that SD Format ulility. it failed right at the end of the format process with an error about non-supported device.

not to worry, i used Windows format, used 64kb blocks and will keep an eye on performance.

as i said in the first post, these sticks for me go into at least half a dozen different PC's every day, i'm a computer technician and used them to hold my software. i find it hard to believe all the desktops and laptops i used these sticks with all have some issue with the PC, it is definitely stick based, not PC.

plus it has happend on all 3 of the 32gb GTR's i have had.

what other ideas are out there?

[RAM GUY]

Can you run HD Bench on the drive and post the results and you will need to be using a newer chipset MB.

[mtahearn]

I'll do the HD Bench tests, that'll be a good exercise to put actual figures against perceived ones.

 

As to the MB chipset, are you saying these USB drives have some sort of requirement where they work better on newer motherboards. If so, this is news to me, I don't recall seeing anything concerning that on the product specs or in any of the literature I've read. What are these newer chipsets that are expected?

 

Anyway, that isn't an area I can control, my USB drives go into many PC's every day and I have no idea what they are using 'under the hood' so to speak.

[Geko45]

I'll do the HD Bench tests, that'll be a good exercise to put actual figures against perceived ones.

Did you make note of the used disk space before and after the re-fromat? A 64kb block size would have had to have cost you space. Especially if you have a bunch of small files.

[mtahearn]

shoot!, that's a good point Geko45, i actually didn't note the 'before' used space but the stats i can see now seem to be on par with what i had.

 

if anything is lost, and with the larger block size, with small files, there would be more wastage, it doesn't seem to be noticable at all.

 

even so, it's been worth it to have the performance back, at least on my PC, time will tell how it goes in other PC's.

 

BTW: good to hear i was able to help your 'wiggle' problem.

and your point on making it a 'sticky' is a good one - how does that get done?.

a job for RamGuy maybe???

[RAM GUY]

Posted by mtahearn

BTW: good to hear i was able to help your 'wiggle' problem.

and your point on making it a 'sticky' is a good one - how does that get done?.

a job for RamGuy maybe???

 

We have sent a message to the product manager and he will have to make that call. However, technically that suggestion will VOID the warranty is why it has not been done already.

 

 

Posted by mtahearn

As to the MB chipset, are you saying these USB drives have some sort of requirement where they work better on newer motherboards. If so, this is news to me, I don't recall seeing anything concerning that on the product specs or in any of the literature I've read. What are these newer chipsets that are expected?

 

Dated 04-21-2010, 02:19 PM

Please take a look at a review done on the Corsair GTR 32GB.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1266/1/

 

 

This article in in depth on how well the USB actually tests. Also it will make a difference depending on what system you use as well. Let us know what you think.

[mtahearn]

i'm just curious how peeling back a sticker and tightening 2 screws voids the warranty.

[mtahearn]

ramguy,

the article has lots of stats and graphs but unless i missed it, doesn't explain your suggestion that the Survivor drives expect some sort of MB or chipset.

 

i understand they will play a part in performance obviously but you say "you will need to be using a newer chipset MB". i'm just wondering what this level of requirement is. is there a list of accepted MB's or a minimum requirement level for chipset?

 

as i've said before, it is not uncommon for my stick to go in at least half a dozen different PC's every day and i have no idea what MB/chipset it will be used in. it was never an issue on my Survivor 8gb.

 

i would think the vast majority of users who buy USB sticks use them in more than 1 PC, be it different PC's in the same house or between home, work, uni, school, web cafes, etc.

 

but, back on point. as stated before, the reformat and 64kb block size, for me, has solved my problems. the stick has also been in about 5 clients PC's this week and i have noticed a huge improvement.

 

so unless things change, i am currently 'back in love' with the product and will certainly update you on any changes, good or bad.

 

thanks for you time and help.

[RAM GUY]

mtahearn

NP as long as its working for you it should be fine and Flash should be formatted with 32K or 64K allocation for best performance. Windows XP will not format flash correctly but Windows 7 will normally see the Falsh and format them correctly. My point of that article was if you read the whole article he stated some performance issues with some systems and why that happened.

 

mtahearn i'm just curious how peeling back a sticker and tightening 2 screws voids the warranty.

 

Taken from Corsair Warranty Policy

Exclusions

 

This warranty does not cover problems or damage resulting from, but not limited to, any of the following:

 

* Wear and tear associated with normal use

* Any modification, abuse, accident, dis-assembly, misapplication, or unauthorized repair

* Removal of any manufacturer label(s) or sticker(s)

* Any improper operation, including any use not in accordance with any supplied product instructions

* Connection to any improper voltage supply

* Use of consumables, such as replacement batteries, not supplied by Corsair, except where such restriction is prohibited by applicable local law

* Any other cause which does not relate to a product defect in materials or workmanship

 

Don't get me wrong If I know someone who has done this I will still allow a warranty claim but I am not the one who personally receives RMA's and inspects them, so as a company we will need to get this into the policy as waiver to protect you as a consumer or anyone else that may have done that. We are not a small company so its a bit more complicated. Hope that makes more sense now!