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38 Installation Guide
G:\TW\Lori\Raptor\C4388-90100\exraptor1.fm Page 38
Last Modified: Tuesday, January 27, 1998 8:33 pm
Printing date: Saturday, April 04, 1998
What Affects Performance
How well your new HP tape drive functions, particularly how fast it writes data to
tape, depends on a number of factors. Some of these factors are listed below.
Processor (CPU)
. The type and speed of your processor greatly affects the speed at
which your computer transfers data to and from the tape drive.
RAM
. Your computer must have enough memory available to handle its operating
system, the backup software, and the data you are transferring to and from tape. The
system should not have to swap data to and from the hard drive. Shut down other
programs during a backup to ensure optimal speed.
Parallel Port Type.
The type of parallel port on your computer has a major influence
in determining the speed at which your HP Colorado tape drive runs. Possible
parallel port types are:
n
Standard parallel port (SPP) which is sometimes called unidirectional, bi-
directional, or compatible
n
Enhanced parallel port (EPP)
n
Extended capabilities port (ECP)
TIP
: Check your computer’s specifications to see which kind of parallel port was
installed. Sometimes a fast ECP/EPP port will be set up as a slow standard mode port
at the factory (for example, some HP Vectra models). Check your computer’s manual
to find out how to reset it to the faster speed. If that doesn’t work you can also install
a faster parallel port.
I/O and IRQ.
The IRQ (interrupt request level) and I/O (input/output) base address
are the computer resources used by the parallel port. The HP Colorado tape drive will
have better performance on a parallel port set to:
IRQ 7 with I/O base address 378, or
IRQ 5 with I/O base address 278
Most computers automatically assign these. But, depending on your computer’s
configuration, these settings may be different.
Your parallel port may have a conflict with another device (such as your sound card
or FAX/modem) if both are assigned the same IRQ or I/O settings. If there is a
conflict, change the settings on the other device. To find out if your computer has a
conflict: