timemachine slows down response time

[MrFusion]

I have an external usb drive with time machine and only time machine on it.

Why the hell does my iMac freeze for a few seconds, waiting for my time machine drive to start up, every time I want to save or open a file on my iMac?

It is annoying and a waste of time.
/rant

 

[Queso]

The combination of thread title and username amuses me highly 😀

Try resetting the PRAM, which contains data on how I/O requests are handled by the system. OSX Tiger or above (Leopard & SL) shouldn't pause like this when a drive is accessed.

 

[MrFusion]

The combination of thread title and username amuses me highly 😀

Glad to be of service. 🙂

Try resetting the PRAM, which contains data on how I/O requests are handled by the system. OSX Tiger or above (Leopard & SL) shouldn't pause like this when a drive is accessed.

Thanks, I will try that.

 

[Poob Bubes]

I have two external FW 800 drives and my iMac also pauses to spin up the discs when I try to save or open items. One drive is used for Time Machine and the other for storage. It does get annoying.

 

[CubeHacker]

Check the option in energy saver to prevent the drives from spinning down. That should fix the issue.

 

[old-wiz]

Check the option in energy saver to prevent the drives from spinning down. That should fix the issue.

That doesn't always help with external drives; they often spin down on their own to save energy. It drives me batty.

 

[Poob Bubes]

I found this link on the subject:

http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/harddrivesleep.html