What Affects Performance - HP Colorado 5GB C4354A Installation Manual

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Technical Information

What Affects Performance

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.
IDE Interface Type: To use the internal tape drive, your computer
requires an available connector on an IDE controller. Your computer may
have a "Single-FIFO" or "Dual-FIFO" IDE controller. If it is "Single-FIFO,"
the tape drive will run 12-25% slower than with a "Dual-FIFO" IDE
controller. Insert the Install Assistant diskette, run ASSIST.EXE /S to see
an evaluation of your computer system.
Hard Drive. If you attach the HP Colorado tape drive to the same IDE
controller as a hard drive, the tape drive will run slower because it must
take turns using the data cable with the hard drive.
For optimal performance, run SCANDISK.EXE and DEFRAG.EXE. See
"Achieving optimal performance" on page 15.
NOTE: Refer to your computer and mother board manuals or contact your
computer vendor if you have any questions about your computer's configuration
or capabilities.