Continuous hard disc activity - registry fix

[Bert Coules]

I'm sure I've come across this information somewhere but I can't now find it.

Since installing Windows XP Pro (SP2) I've had continuous hard disk activity, even with nothing but the OS running. The front-panel LED flashes all the time, not quite with absolute regularity but close to it.

Is there a known registry tweak to stop this happening?

I do have Tweak UI installed and have switched off the "Optimize hard disk when idle" option, so it isn't that.

Many thanks,

Bert

[JohnG]

It might be the indexing service ? If you right click on the hard drive then click properties there's a tick box at the bottom of that tab.

[Bert Coules]

JohnG,

Thanks for that. I just tried disabling the indexing for both of my hard drives, but it's made no difference. That LED is still flashing away, and I can hear ticking from whichever drive it is that's active.

Bert

[Steve.J.Davies]

task manager can show you I/O activity - you just need to add the right columns.
Other tools as well which are much more specific. get a copy of Diskview.exe (free) if task manager doesn't get you there.

You may be 'infected'...

[Bert Coules]

Steve, thanks for that. I'll check it out. I do regularly run anti-virus and anti-spyware programs, and someone elsewhere advised me to run a registry cleaner (he recommended C Cleaner) which I'll also try.

Bert

[Steve.J.Davies]

diskview will show you which files are being accessed - handy that...

[MartinN]

sysinternals (now taken over microsoft) have utility called "process monitor". Which is very useful. It monitors everything going on your PC, including file access. It's rather scary when you see what's going on behind the scenes!

Google desktop might be doing it

[Steve.J.Davies]

Process Explorer (sister product) also good