Why does my computer knock when using Calibre?

Kotik74 · 06-06-2012, 10:02 PM

Hi all, I'm using Calibre on an older computer. I use dozens of different programs, including many that use more system resources than Calibre, and have no problem with them.

However, when I use Calibre, a knocking sound comes from the hard drive. When I exit the program, the knocking stops. When I start it, the knocking resumes at intervals of about 2 seconds.

Any idea what's going on? Thanks!

JSWolf · 06-06-2012, 10:03 PM

My guess is you may have a failing hard drive and where Calibre sits is unstable. My suggestion is to buy a new hard drive and move all the content over to it as it could fail.

SteveEisenberg · 06-06-2012, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kotik74

However, when I use Calibre, a knocking sound comes from the hard drive. When I exit the program, the knocking stops. When I start it, the knocking resumes at intervals of about 2 seconds.

I don't get knocking, but during the half hour or so each morning that Calibre is shooting out the news to my @free.kindle.com address, my PC spends most of the time with the fan running. When doing other tasks, I rarely hear the fan noise.

Black Friday 2012 may be time for me to pony up for a new PC. If I find Ivy Bridge running Windows 8 for $300, I'm grabbing it.

DoctorOhh · 06-06-2012, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kotik74

However, when I use Calibre, a knocking sound comes from the hard drive. When I exit the program, the knocking stops. When I start it, the knocking resumes at intervals of about 2 seconds.

Do you have a floppy drive on this machine?

theducks · 06-06-2012, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kotik74

Hi all, I'm using Calibre on an older computer. I use dozens of different programs, including many that use more system resources than Calibre, and have no problem with them.

However, when I use Calibre, a knocking sound comes from the hard drive. When I exit the program, the knocking stops. When I start it, the knocking resumes at intervals of about 2 seconds.

Any idea what's going on? Thanks!

Is it your Floppy 'seeking' for an inserted disk. I think there was a device setting that caused A: to be polled.

Perkin · 06-07-2012, 04:40 AM

If you've recently upgraded from quite an old version calibre re-organises the database and writes opf files into all entries folders (for backup/regenerate database), I think it was 3 a second or something, so it could be doing it's thing.

If you have recently upgraded with a big change in version number - leave it running for quite a while, after a fair amount of time it should stop - depends on amount of entries you've got.

DiapDealer · 06-07-2012, 08:10 AM

You were supposed to use the unleaded version of calibre. It's specially formulated to prevent knocking and pinging.

Kotik74 · 06-07-2012, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwanthny

Do you have a floppy drive on this machine?

Yes indeed. So that could be the problem, eh?

How can I change the settings on Calibre so that it won't poll A: any more??

Thanks very much in advance!

HarryT · 06-07-2012, 10:49 AM

Yes. Calibre causes repeated "seeking" of a floppy drive as it scans the file system for changes. It's a known issue, but since almost nobody has a floppy drive these days very few people come across it.

theducks · 06-07-2012, 11:37 AM

No need to crack the case to unplug the cables (but that does save a small bit of power).
You Can set it to None (turn it OFF) in the BIOS (Corporate users will probably be locked out of the BIOS. but, then what Corporate site still has machines with floppies?) if you never use it.
You can always reboot and re-enable if you ever do.

Caution: do NOT change any Hard drive or CD/DVD settings

Gunnerp245 · 06-08-2012, 05:45 AM

Would putting a disk in the drive stop the noise?

kovidgoyal · 06-08-2012, 07:01 AM

https://bugs.launchpad.net/calibre/+bug/741632

06-06-2012, 10:02 PM	#1
Kotik74 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2012 Device: Kindle 3	Why does my computer knock when using Calibre? Hi all, I'm using Calibre on an older computer. I use dozens of different programs, including many that use more system resources than Calibre, and have no problem with them. However, when I use Calibre, a knocking sound comes from the hard drive. When I exit the program, the knocking stops. When I start it, the knocking resumes at intervals of about 2 seconds. Any idea what's going on? Thanks!

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06-06-2012, 10:03 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,392 Karma: 145491800 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	My guess is you may have a failing hard drive and where Calibre sits is unstable. My suggestion is to buy a new hard drive and move all the content over to it as it could fail.

06-07-2012, 04:40 AM	#6
Perkin Guru Posts: 657 Karma: 64171 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Kent, England, Sol 3, ZZ9 plural Z Alpha Device: Sony PRS-300, Kobo Aura HD, iPad (Marvin)	If you've recently upgraded from quite an old version calibre re-organises the database and writes opf files into all entries folders (for backup/regenerate database), I think it was 3 a second or something, so it could be doing it's thing. If you have recently upgraded with a big change in version number - leave it running for quite a while, after a fair amount of time it should stop - depends on amount of entries you've got.

06-07-2012, 08:10 AM	#7
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,489 Karma: 204127028 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	You were supposed to use the unleaded version of calibre. It's specially formulated to prevent knocking and pinging.

06-07-2012, 10:49 AM	#9
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Yes. Calibre causes repeated "seeking" of a floppy drive as it scans the file system for changes. It's a known issue, but since almost nobody has a floppy drive these days very few people come across it.

06-07-2012, 11:37 AM	#10
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 30,936 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	No need to crack the case to unplug the cables (but that does save a small bit of power). You Can set it to None (turn it OFF) in the BIOS (Corporate users will probably be locked out of the BIOS. but, then what Corporate site still has machines with floppies?) if you never use it. You can always reboot and re-enable if you ever do. Caution: do NOT change any Hard drive or CD/DVD settings

06-08-2012, 05:45 AM	#11
Gunnerp245 Gadget Freak Posts: 1,169 Karma: 1043832 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: US Device: EE, Note 8	Would putting a disk in the drive stop the noise?

06-08-2012, 07:01 AM	#12
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,249 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	https://bugs.launchpad.net/calibre/+bug/741632

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