USB External Drive - Fails on large file transfers

Gemo · 10-02-2006, 08:53 AM

I'm using a Maxtor external USB drive to back up files on my server.

When I copy a (eg. pst) file from of one of the client PCs on the LAN to this USB drive, the file is properly transfer but only up until about 700 Megs.

Above approx that limit the transfer seems to bog down and evetually times out, reporting that the transfer failed. Transfers of files approx up to that size (mostly) work OK.

According to Maxtor they do not support using their USB drives in this way - which is a real surprise.

Any one had similar experiences or can provide some insight or help?

P.S. I have tried connecting the ext drive to both the front and rear USB ports (not sure if that really makes any difference) on the server - but neither one seems to help.

**twajetmech** · 10-02-2006, 12:40 PM

I have read that there is sometimes a limit to the size of file you can transfer at one time, you may have to copy the info to CD or DVD and then transfer to get around the limitation....I've not tried this personally.

Gemo · 10-02-2006, 01:36 PM

Appreciate your reply twajectmech.

If there is some file size limit I guess you're right about having to back up to a DVD - or I've also thought of compressing the files into 'smaller' (ie.perhaps 100-200 Megs) chunks and storing them.

There's definitley a work-around but I'm just puzzled by this apparent file size limitation. If I took the IDE hard drive out of the USB enclusure and installed it in the server there w/b no problem transfering large files to it so any limitation must have something more to do with the USB 'mechanics'.

**Cellus** · 10-06-2006, 07:02 PM

They must have some sort of circuitry, some intermediary, that is inhibiting these large writes. Especially if they openly admit the limitation.

You probably can get away with split files of around 500MB, which should help alleviate having a million 100MB files.

10-02-2006, 08:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
Gemo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 48 OS: Win98	USB External Drive - Fails on large file transfers I'm using a Maxtor external USB drive to back up files on my server. When I copy a (eg. pst) file from of one of the client PCs on the LAN to this USB drive, the file is properly transfer but only up until about 700 Megs. Above approx that limit the transfer seems to bog down and evetually times out, reporting that the transfer failed. Transfers of files approx up to that size (mostly) work OK. According to Maxtor they do not support using their USB drives in this way - which is a real surprise. Any one had similar experiences or can provide some insight or help? P.S. I have tried connecting the ext drive to both the front and rear USB ports (not sure if that really makes any difference) on the server - but neither one seems to help. Last edited by Gemo; 10-02-2006 at 09:15 AM. Reason: Update - added P.S.

10-02-2006, 12:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
twajetmech I helped the forums. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: LGA, NYC Posts: 2,387 OS: XP-Pro Sp2 & XP-Pro Sp2 Tablet Edition, Vista Ultimate My System	I have read that there is sometimes a limit to the size of file you can transfer at one time, you may have to copy the info to CD or DVD and then transfer to get around the limitation....I've not tried this personally. __________________ PSU Selection/Info // Bench test // Thermal Paste // Memory Selection // Bios Beep Codes // CPU-Z// Posting System Specs

10-06-2006, 07:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,664 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	They must have some sort of circuitry, some intermediary, that is inhibiting these large writes. Especially if they openly admit the limitation. You probably can get away with split files of around 500MB, which should help alleviate having a million 100MB files. __________________ TSF Networking Team HijackThis 5 Step Process Donate! Last edited by Cellus; 10-06-2006 at 07:04 PM.

10-02-2006, 01:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gemo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 48 OS: Win98	Appreciate your reply twajectmech. If there is some file size limit I guess you're right about having to back up to a DVD - or I've also thought of compressing the files into 'smaller' (ie.perhaps 100-200 Megs) chunks and storing them. There's definitley a work-around but I'm just puzzled by this apparent file size limitation. If I took the IDE hard drive out of the USB enclusure and installed it in the server there w/b no problem transfering large files to it so any limitation must have something more to do with the USB 'mechanics'.