Internal HDD thrashing when using Transmission
Affects | Status | Importance | Assigned to | Milestone | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
transmission (Ubuntu) |
Invalid
|
Undecided
|
Unassigned |
Bug Description
Binary package hint: transmission
I am an inexperienced Ubuntu user.
I am not sure if this is the correct way to report this incident.
System Info
OS: Windows XP SP3, Windows 7 Ultimate (64 bit), Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit)
CPU: AMD Phenom 9750 Quad-Core
RAM: 8 GB DDR2
HDD: 1 TB WD SATA, 1.5 TB WD SATA
Ubuntu Info
Release 10.04 (lucid)
Kernel Linux 2.6.32-27-generic
GNOME 2.30.2
Package
Transmission 1.93-0ubuntu0.
I recently (less than a week ago) updated Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit).
Since then I have noticed my HDD making a high pitched buzzing noise when using "Transmission".
This seems to happen at regular intervals (e.g. every 60 seconds - I haven't timed it to get the exact figure).
This only occurs when I try to save data from more than 1 torrent, to the same partition at the same time.
Prior to the recent update, I had been able to run 4 torrents simultaneously (saving to the same partition) with no problems.
I noticed that there are 6 "mount.ntfs" processes listed in the "System Monitor" (one for each mounted partition?).
I also noticed that when the problem occurs, one of the "mount.ntfs" processes "goes wild".
It's status changes from "Sleeping" to "Uninterruptible".
It also goes from 0 %CPU to ~30 %CPU.
If I pause that process, "Transmission" stops running (e.g. the window "greys out").
My friend lent me an external HDD (EXT format).
I can save data from 1 torrent to the NTFS partition and another to the external HDD (EXT format) and there are no mysterious noises.
I am not sure if this is a "Transmission" problem, or an OS problem, or some weird interaction between the 2.
The only changes that I have made recently are a new "Theme" and I installed new "Updates".
ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 10.04
Package: transmission (not installed)
ProcVersionSign
Uname: Linux 2.6.32-27-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelMo
Architecture: amd64
Date: Wed Jan 12 11:30:27 2011
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 10.04 "Lucid Lynx" - Beta amd64 (20100318)
ProcEnviron:
LANG=en_AU.utf8
SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: transmission
Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better.
There are a couple of possible reasons for this that I can think of. The primary one is that Linux's NTFS drivers do not play particularly well with p2p, as described at <http:// wiki.fon. com/wiki/ Fonera_ Troubleshooting #Why_are_ NTFS_disk_ slow_with_ the_Fonera>. So my first question would be if the problems go away if you stop using NTFS partitions with Transmission.
A second possibility is that Transmission added a memory cache in 2.10 to reduce overall disk IO. 10.04's repositories are still on 2.0x, but if you're feeling adventurous you can give 2.1x a try from the ppas at https:/ /edge.launchpad .net/~transmiss ionbt/+ archive/ ppa
If you give either of these suggestions a try, please let me know via the ticket. Thanks!