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runejoha · Sep 2, 2005, 11:02 AM

After upgrading (clean install) to Tiger the HD is accessed more frequently than before. I have 1 GB RAM and a 1.25 MHz PB Al, in other words, Virtual memory is propably not the main reason for this phenomenon. (?) Anyone had this problem and a fix? Is is very annoing to listen to all the time! (I installed it for 2-3 weeks ago, so i hope Spotlight is not still indexing)

Randman · Sep 2, 2005, 11:09 AM

Rechecked your energy saver settings?

runejoha · Sep 2, 2005, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by Randman

Rechecked your energy saver settings?

I don't understand. What can energy settings do in order to make the OS access the HD more frequently?

Philip J. Fry · Sep 2, 2005, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by runejoha

I don't understand. What can energy settings do in order to make the OS access the HD more frequently?

To make sure 'Put the hard disk to sleep when possible' option isn't checked?

leperkuhn · Sep 2, 2005, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by runejoha

After upgrading (clean install) to Tiger the HD is accessed more frequently than before. I have 1 GB RAM and a 1.25 MHz PB Al, in other words, Virtual memory is propably not the main reason for this phenomenon. (?) Anyone had this problem and a fix? Is is very annoing to listen to all the time! (I installed it for 2-3 weeks ago, so i hope Spotlight is not still indexing)

I've had the same issues. Half the DVDs I try to burn now come out as coasters. Menu Meters is reporting insane amounts of disk activity.

Thinine · Sep 2, 2005, 03:31 PM

Check Activity Monitor and see what exactly is consuming the CPU.

SMacTech · Sep 2, 2005, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Thinine

Check Activity Monitor and see what exactly is consuming the CPU.

Or if you feel comfy in terminal, run sudo fs_usage

great utility for viewing fs = file system activity. It is very verbose too, but you can tailor to a specific PID by running sudo fs_usage 252 , where 252 is the process ID.

analogika · Sep 3, 2005, 03:20 AM

One thing: If you're using file-sharing applications like BitTorrent or Poisoned, LimeWire, Acquisition, et al., make sure to EXCLUDE their download folders from Spotlight indexing using the Privacy pane in the Spotlight system preference.

Otherwise, the constantly changing download temp files will continually be re-indexed, causing extreme hard-disk usage and CPU hit.

I hear there is also a similar issue with Adobe's Creative Suite apps involving their temp file directories, which is similarly simply solved.

Apfhex · Sep 3, 2005, 03:50 AM

Originally Posted by analogika

make sure to EXCLUDE their download folders from Spotlight indexing using the Privacy pane in the Spotlight system preference.

Woah, great idea. I totally never thought of that.

Maybe someone could make a little list of common temp file directories that could be excluded from Spotlight? For instance, I've no idea what the Adobe CS programs do for temp stuff (aside from the temp files for open documents that are places in the same directory as the document).

CaptainHaddock · Sep 3, 2005, 10:45 AM

I don't know if this is related; but I've noticed that any time I type in Textedit within a file (anywhere but at the very end), my hard disk chirps loudly as I type. It's very annoying.

SMacTech · Sep 3, 2005, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by CaptainHaddock

I don't know if this is related; but I've noticed that any time I type in Textedit within a file (anywhere but at the very end), my hard disk chirps loudly as I type. It's very annoying.

Use fs_usage as I noted above and possibly you will see the file that it is writing too when doing that. Maybe it is the location of a temp file, somewhere on your drive and possibly if deleted, it will relocate itself to a less chirpy place!

mactropolis · Sep 3, 2005, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by CaptainHaddock

I don't know if this is related; but I've noticed that any time I type in Textedit within a file (anywhere but at the very end), my hard disk chirps loudly as I type. It's very annoying.

Your HD chirps loud as you start to type possibly as the AppleSpell background service churns away trying to compare your words with the dictionary to determinte if you have any spelling mistakes.

CaptainHaddock · Sep 4, 2005, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by mactropolis

Your HD chirps loud as you start to type possibly as the AppleSpell background service churns away trying to compare your words with the dictionary to determinte if you have any spelling mistakes.

No, it's not that, because I don't get the chirping if I'm typing text at the end of a document. It only happens when I decide to insert text in the middle of a document. It always happens with Textedit, occasionally with Pages, and very occasionally in a Safari text window (like this one).