Hello all, I just came across this program, i

mrose · 08-24-2003, 03:39 AM

Hello all,

I just came across this program, it caches your DVD drive to keep its access time down to a minimum. I was wondering if anyone has tried it and if it would be helpful for us to playback DVDs on the go. Since the external DVD wouldn't be accessed the whole time a movie is playing, the battery life might be better. But then again, it is accessing the HD more so it might just be 6 of one and half dozen of the other...

http://www.dvdidle.com/dvd-idle.htm

Since I upgraded my TC1000 to the new Hitachi 60GB 7200 RPM drive, I typically just rip the movies I want to watch to the TC1000 a head of time.

SteveNYC · 08-24-2003, 07:35 AM

mrose,

If you don't mind, could you please let us know your opinion on upgrading to the Hitachi 60GB HDD on the TC1000? I have read your comments previously on this drive and I am probably going to get it. But as with all things, there is the immediate review and then there is the 'long-term' review. I just wanted to know your opinion now that you have been operating with the drive for a while.

The questions I am most curious about are:

1] Did you see any issues with respect to heat? Is it warmer? Considerably so?
2] How did it impact battery life? Negligible or significantly? I can't imagine that battery life would have improved.
3] Having to do it all over again, would you? Are there any other drives out on the market now that you see having a similar (or greater) benefit?

I should have my TC1000 tomorrow and I have already obtained the extra 512 MB of memory. So the only other thing I am looking at it the HDD.

Thanks. Like you, I plan on ripping movies onto the HDD to play them. That brings up a point? What's the battery life like when you watch a DVD movie from the HDD? Can you get through a full 2 - 2 1/2 hour movie?

SteveNYC · 08-24-2003, 07:35 AM

mrose,

If you don't mind, could you please let us know your opinion on upgrading to the Hitachi 60GB HDD on the TC1000? I have read your comments previously on this drive and I am probably going to get it. But as with all things, there is the immediate review and then there is the 'long-term' review. I just wanted to know your opinion now that you have been operating with the drive for a while.

The questions I am most curious about are:

1] Did you see any issues with respect to heat? Is it warmer? Considerably so?
2] How did it impact battery life? Negligible or significantly? I can't imagine that battery life would have improved.
3] Having to do it all over again, would you? Are there any other drives out on the market now that you see having a similar (or greater) benefit?

I should have my TC1000 tomorrow and I have already obtained the extra 512 MB of memory. So the only other thing I am looking at it the HDD.

Thanks. Like you, I plan on ripping movies onto the HDD to play them. That brings up a point? What's the battery life like when you watch a DVD movie from the HDD? Can you get through a full 2 - 2 1/2 hour movie?

mrose · 08-25-2003, 08:13 AM

Hello Steve,

#1) Doesn't seem to be any warmer then it usually is. It still gets hot time to time, but it always did that. The Hard drive area does not really feel warm at all. The area around the Crusoe and GPU are MUCH hotter.

2) I don't notice any change on battery life. I still get 3-4 hours of use, just like I did before the upgrade.

3) Would I do it again... YES! The TC1000 is snappier (between this and the nvidia drivers I no complaints about speed), and now I have lots of room for movies, MP3 files, and the normal work stuff. I am really happy with the upgrade. I can't say much about the other 5200 and 7200 RPM drives as I really don't have any experience with them. I know the Hitachi running at 7200 RPM is the fastest (at least today...)

Regards,

Michael

mrose · 08-25-2003, 08:13 AM

Hello Steve,

#1) Doesn't seem to be any warmer then it usually is. It still gets hot time to time, but it always did that. The Hard drive area does not really feel warm at all. The area around the Crusoe and GPU are MUCH hotter.

2) I don't notice any change on battery life. I still get 3-4 hours of use, just like I did before the upgrade.

3) Would I do it again... YES! The TC1000 is snappier (between this and the nvidia drivers I no complaints about speed), and now I have lots of room for movies, MP3 files, and the normal work stuff. I am really happy with the upgrade. I can't say much about the other 5200 and 7200 RPM drives as I really don't have any experience with them. I know the Hitachi running at 7200 RPM is the fastest (at least today...)

Regards,

Michael

SteveNYC · 08-25-2003, 01:08 PM

Michael,

Thanks for the update. I finally got my TC 1000 today. YES!!:D:D And it is very likely that I will purchase the new HDD.

I spent most of the day putting patches into the unit (holy cow there are a lot) but since I was at work and the extra 512 MB of memory that I purchased was at home, things were s l o w g o i n g... [8)] So it was GREAT when I got home, snapped in the extra memory (scared the hell out of me, damn that thing requires some umphh), and the whole thing just got a heck of a lot snappier. What a difference!

I still have to put in the tweaked video drivers and a few registry tweaks, but this thing is very, VERY nice. Your HDD recommendation is going to come in handy.

Oh yeah, one negative. The pen is shot (of course, it would have to be the one thing not working well) and it clicks like mad, but I'll figure that out or have Compaq send a replacement. [thumbsup]

Thanks again for the info. Can't wait to get it!!.

SteveNYC · 08-25-2003, 01:08 PM

Michael,

Thanks for the update. I finally got my TC 1000 today. YES!!:D:D And it is very likely that I will purchase the new HDD.

I spent most of the day putting patches into the unit (holy cow there are a lot) but since I was at work and the extra 512 MB of memory that I purchased was at home, things were s l o w g o i n g... [8)] So it was GREAT when I got home, snapped in the extra memory (scared the hell out of me, damn that thing requires some umphh), and the whole thing just got a heck of a lot snappier. What a difference!

I still have to put in the tweaked video drivers and a few registry tweaks, but this thing is very, VERY nice. Your HDD recommendation is going to come in handy.

Oh yeah, one negative. The pen is shot (of course, it would have to be the one thing not working well) and it clicks like mad, but I'll figure that out or have Compaq send a replacement. [thumbsup]

Thanks again for the info. Can't wait to get it!!.