What Affects Performance - HP Colorado 5GB Installation Manual

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What Affects Performance

Installation Guide
How well your new HP tape drive functions, particularly how fast it
writes data to tape, depends on a number of factors. Some of these factors
are listed below.
Processor (CPU). The type and speed of your processor greatly affects the
speed at which your computer transfers data to and from the tape drive.
RAM. Your computer must have enough memory available to handle its
operating system, the backup software, and the data you are transferring
to and from tape. The system should not have to swap data to and from
the hard drive. Shut down other programs during a backup to ensure
optimal speed.
Parallel Port Type. The type of parallel port on your computer has a
major influence in determining the speed at which your HP Colorado
5GB tape drive runs. Possible parallel port types are:
Standard parallel port (SPP) which is sometimes called unidirectional,
bi-directional, or compatible
Enhanced parallel port (EPP)
Extended capabilities port (ECP)
TIP: Check your computer's specifications to see which kind of parallel
port was installed. Sometimes a fast ECP/EPP port will be set up as a slow
standard mode port at the factory (for example, some HP Vectra models).
Check your computer's manual to find out how to reset it to the faster
speed. If that doesn't work you can also install a faster parallel port.
I/O and IRQ. The IRQ (interrupt request level) and I/O (input/output)
base address are the computer resources used by the parallel port. The HP
Colorado 5GB tape drive will have better performance on a parallel port
set to:
IRQ 7 with I/O base address 378, or
IRQ 5 with I/O base address 278
Most computers automatically assign these. But, depending on your
computer's configuration, these settings may be different.