New SATA HD Causes REALLY LONG Delay Expanding Folders in Windows Explorer

I conisider myself very technically competent, but this
problem has me completely stumped. I can't find any info
about it in a search of Google or of this forum. Here's my
complete system info:

Windows XP Home (with SP 1)
Aspire X-Superalien case with the Aspire 500w PS
MSI 865PE NEO2-FIS2R Mobo
Intel P4 2.8C Northwood (800MHz FSB)
2Gb Corsair TwinX 3200 RAM (4 X 512) (Page File turned off)
MSI GeForceFX 5900XT Video Card
Turtle Beach Santa Cruz Sound Card
LiteOn 52X24X52 CDRW
Hitachi 40X DVD ROM
WD 80Gb EIDE HD
IBM 30 Gb EIDE HD
Miscrosoft Wireless Desktop Elite Mouse & KB
DELL 2001FP Monitor

And here's what I just changed yesterday that started the
problem:

I installed a new Hitachi 160Gb SATA HD, but only as
additional storage, not as part of a RAID setup. I
connected it to the onboard Promise SATA controller. It
installed and formatted just fine and shows up correctly
in Windows Explorer. I have already moved about 30Gb of
files to it. The files transfered quickly as expected.

But here's the problem: Each time I start the computer,
then open Windows Explorer, there's a REALLY LONG delay
expanding any of the folders for that new drive (and ONLY
that drive - the other drives are not affected). The delay
is always at least 30 seconds but it's usually closer to 2
minutes!! Once each folder has been expanded once, it will
open quickly from then on, even if I close Windows
Explorer then come back later. But if I reboot, I have the
same delay expanding the folders again.

Things I've tried or verified:
1. Hitachi Drive Fitness Test veries the drive is OK.
2. All BIOS settings are correct, and I've even
experimented with some of them just to be sure.
3. The computer is free of viruses or adware.
4. There are no corrupt files on the new drive.
5. All connections are correct and tight. I also tried
another cable.
6. The Promise driver is loaded and working.
7. The drive has been defragged.
8. I've turned off the "Indexing Service".
9. DMA is enabled.
10. I also used the ICH5 SATA controller and had the same
problem.

I hope one of you has a bright idea that I've missed.

Thanks!
Michael

Michael,

The troubleshooting steps performed by you are perfect. However, I would
suggest you to contact the hard drive manufacturer to check if this is a
know issue to them. Also, I would suggest you to check with them if they
have a latest firmware for this model of hard drive.

Srikanth N
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

You might need a page file - either XP size, your fixed min=max size, or
even 2xRam size - don't ask me why
Are all your drivers the same file format - Fat32 or NTFS?
Why in the world would you keep a fast SATA for storage when you can make it
the system drive.
Michael

"Michael" wrote in message
...
I conisider myself very technically competent, but this
problem has me completely stumped. I can't find any info
about it in a search of Google or of this forum. Here's my
complete system info:

Windows XP Home (with SP 1)
Aspire X-Superalien case with the Aspire 500w PS
MSI 865PE NEO2-FIS2R Mobo
Intel P4 2.8C Northwood (800MHz FSB)
2Gb Corsair TwinX 3200 RAM (4 X 512) (Page File turned off)
MSI GeForceFX 5900XT Video Card
Turtle Beach Santa Cruz Sound Card
LiteOn 52X24X52 CDRW
Hitachi 40X DVD ROM
WD 80Gb EIDE HD
IBM 30 Gb EIDE HD
Miscrosoft Wireless Desktop Elite Mouse & KB
DELL 2001FP Monitor

And here's what I just changed yesterday that started the
problem:

I installed a new Hitachi 160Gb SATA HD, but only as
additional storage, not as part of a RAID setup. I
connected it to the onboard Promise SATA controller. It
installed and formatted just fine and shows up correctly
in Windows Explorer. I have already moved about 30Gb of
files to it. The files transfered quickly as expected.

But here's the problem: Each time I start the computer,
then open Windows Explorer, there's a REALLY LONG delay
expanding any of the folders for that new drive (and ONLY
that drive - the other drives are not affected). The delay
is always at least 30 seconds but it's usually closer to 2
minutes!! Once each folder has been expanded once, it will
open quickly from then on, even if I close Windows
Explorer then come back later. But if I reboot, I have the
same delay expanding the folders again.

Things I've tried or verified:
1. Hitachi Drive Fitness Test veries the drive is OK.
2. All BIOS settings are correct, and I've even
experimented with some of them just to be sure.
3. The computer is free of viruses or adware.
4. There are no corrupt files on the new drive.
5. All connections are correct and tight. I also tried
another cable.
6. The Promise driver is loaded and working.
7. The drive has been defragged.
8. I've turned off the "Indexing Service".
9. DMA is enabled.
10. I also used the ICH5 SATA controller and had the same
problem.

I hope one of you has a bright idea that I've missed.

Thanks!
Michael