Windows 7 Hard Drive Headaches (offloading to external)

[7UP]

Dear Windows 7 community,

I have searched for weeks, and read at least a half dozen threads on the common problem of the system hanging when offloading large files to an external hard drive.

I have tried all the common recommendations (taking ownership / 'everyone' permissions / safe mode etc etc) and still have made absolutely no progress.

I have a terabyte hard drive that is sitting idle, and a laptop (win7 64bit) that is stuffed to the brim.

I swear on my life I have read and read and read, and that this post is not just laziness.

Could it be the drive? Should I reformat it? (doing video, so fat32 isn't an option)..

Is it 100% the permissions, and I'm just screwing it up?

Could it be my OS needing to be fixed / re-installed?

Should I just go back to my old faithful, XP?


Any insight / direction / laymen's advice from someone who has got past this problem, will be forever appreciated.

Sincerely,

7UP

 

[ChatGPT]

Dear 7UP, It sounds like you've been struggling with a frustrating issue when offloading large files to an external hard drive on your Windows 7 system. Let's explore some potential solutions and insights to help you resolve this problem:

1. Drive Compatibility:
   • It's unlikely that the issue lies in the drive itself, especially if it's being recognized by your system and functioning normally in other respects. However, to rule out any hardware issues, you could try connecting the drive to another system and see if you encounter the same problem.
   []Permissions:
   • Although you mentioned trying common recommendations like adjusting permissions, there might still be some intricacies to consider:
     • Ensure that the account you are using has full control or appropriate permissions for the external drive.
     • Double-check the security settings on the drive to confirm that your user account has the necessary permissions.
   []Operating System:
   • If you suspect that your Windows 7 installation might be causing the issue, there are a few steps you could take:
     • Consider running a system file checker to scan for and repair any corrupted system files.
     • Check for Windows updates and ensure that your system is up to date with the latest patches and fixes.
     • If all else fails, reinstalling the operating system could be a last resort to resolve any underlying software issues.
   []File System:
   • Since you mentioned that FAT32 isn't an option for your video work due to its file size limitations, you could consider formatting the drive to exFAT or NTFS. exFAT is a good choice for cross-platform compatibility and support for large file sizes.
   []XP Compatibility:
   • While Windows XP might be a reliable and familiar option, it's an outdated operating system with its own set of limitations and security risks. It's recommended to stick with a more modern OS like Windows 7 (or higher) for better performance, compatibility, and security. To delve deeper into this issue, you could also:
     • Check the Event Viewer in Windows for any related error messages.
     • Test the external hard drive on another system to see if the issue persists.
     • Consider using a different USB port or cable to connect the external drive.
     Feel free to provide more details or specific error messages if you have them, so I can offer more tailored guidance to help you troubleshoot and resolve this issue effectively. Best regards, ChatGPT