Using GRC ValiDrive To Assess USB Read/Write Performance


garioch7

garioch7

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I have been using the free Gibson Research Corporation ValiDrive program to check USB flash drives for some time now to ensure that they have the indicated storage capacity.

I recently had the occasion to copy some large HD video files to several older Kingston DataTraveller USB 3.0 flash drives of various sizes (purchased before I got ValiDrive and not tested). I had always had good luck with Kingston USB flash drives. The write speeds were glacial, when trying to do a file copy.

I ran the ValiDrive program, and the testing was also very, very slow. I tried a couple of Samsung Bar USB flash drives that I had. The difference in write speeds was phenomenal. Scrolling down to the end of the GRC ValiDrive home page, I noted that the program does provide read/write speeds as well.

I don't know whether I got a bad batch of Kington DataTraveller USB 3.0 drives. Older Kingston DataTraveller USB 2.0 flash drives tested much faster than the four Kingston DataTraveller USB 3.0 drives. I have discarded the four drives because they were too slow for their intended purpose of writing and sharing large HD video files.

So if you have flash drives that seem slow, ValiDrive can inform you of whether your suspicions are based on factual analysis.

I just thought I would share this "new" finding for me about the GRC ValiDrive program.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 11 Pro, Version 23H2, Build 22631.3958

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I don't have many Hero's , but the ONE that comes to mind is Steve Gibson. I have a whole folder full of his little programs.
I especially like his "Decombobulator". I run it after every Windows install.

I don't yet have his ValiDrive program, but I'll go find it now. Sounds like a good one to have.

Thanks for the info,
TM :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

garioch7 said:
I have been using the free Gibson Research Corporation ValiDrive program
Click to expand...

If you have not taken the time to read some of the docs for ValiDrive, it is well worth the time to do so. I learned a few things that I never had a clue about. For example, the reason that some of the tests in ValiDrive run so slow is that the program switches between reading and writing from/to the drive and apparently some flash drives are REALLY slow at making the switch between these modes.

I agree that it is a wonderful little program.
 

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    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
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    Acemagic
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    Intel i7-14650HX
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    32 GB
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    1 x 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD
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    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
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    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
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    Intel i7-1255U
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    16 GB
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Ditto!
I just downloaded and ran the program on a Sandisk Cruzer 2GB Flash Drive.
Here are the expected results:

ValiDrive.jpg

Now that I have the program, I may run it on several more Flash Drives. Not that I have any reason to suspect those drives to be bad, but just for Grins. ;-)
The program display reminds me of the old Defrag program of yesteryear, where I could watch the little blocks of data moving around.

Years ago, it was reported that Steve Gibson writes all his little programs in "Machine Language". I've had some experience myself with that programming discipline, so I greatly respect his efforts.

On every Windows Install, I run Steve's Decombob.exe and Unpnp.exe. I love his sense of humor, calling that first program the "Decombobulator".

Years ago, I bought his "Spinrite 6.0" program. I used it extensively on mechanical HD's.

Cheers Mates,
TM :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

TechnoMage2021 said:
Years ago, I bought his "Spinrite 6.0" program. I used it extensively on mechanical HD's.
Click to expand...

Spinrite was absolutely amazing back in the old days when HDDs were from 10MB to 30MB (yes, MB, not GB or TB). I rescued several drives that had become otherwise unreadable. One of the most useful tools I have ever used.
 

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System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic
    CPU
    Intel i7-14650HX
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Varies as machine will often be moved to locations with different monitors
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    Varies
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    1 x 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD
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    120W Power Brick
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    Corsair K70 Max RGB Magnetic Keyboard
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    Logitech MX Master 3
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    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
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    Edge
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    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
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    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
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    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
I know this thread is about ValiDrive, but there is a new version of SpinRite (6.1) that is free to 6.0 owners.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
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    PC/Desktop
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    Intel NUC12WSHi7
    CPU
    12th Gen Core i7-1260P
    Motherboard
    NUC12WSBi7
    Memory
    64 GB Micron PC4-25600
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    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
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    on-board Realtek HD Audio
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    Dell U3219Q
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
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    Samsung SSD 990 PRO 1TB
    Crucial MX500 2 TB
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
pseymour said:
I know this thread is about ValiDrive, but there is a new version of SpinRite (6.1) that is free to 6.0 owners.
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks for pointing that out. I check to see if there is an update maybe once every 6 months or so, but I was not aware of this one yet.

@TechnoMage2021 - The main page for SpinRite has a section called "Amazingly effective for SSDs!".
 

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System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic
    CPU
    Intel i7-14650HX
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Varies as machine will often be moved to locations with different monitors
    Screen Resolution
    Varies
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    120W Power Brick
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 Max RGB Magnetic Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
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    Edge
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    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
I contacted GRC.com (Gibson Research) and inquired about an update to my Spinrite 6.0.
They emailed me a new license and a link to the new version.

I'll run it on several of my old Spinners.

Thanks Y'all!

TM :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

I'm waiting for version 7 since that will run on all systems without UEFI security issues (I can't run it because of this) and also since it will be able to target "slow" blocks directly.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic
    CPU
    Intel i7-14650HX
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Varies as machine will often be moved to locations with different monitors
    Screen Resolution
    Varies
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    120W Power Brick
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 Max RGB Magnetic Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
GRC's InitDisk just resurrected my older Lexar 256GB flash drive. It was dead as a doornail; Windows didn't see it. I had to insert and un-insert it a few times, but when InitDisk 'saw' it I was informed by the program. A great way to start the day!
 
Last edited:

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    HP EliteBook 840 14 inch G10 Notebook (BIOS HP V70 Ver. 01.11.00, 11/6/202)5
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    HP Model 8B41 KBC Version 51.40.00
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    32 GB
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    Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
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    Realtek High Definition Audio; Intel® Smart Sound Technology for Bluetooth® Audio; Intel® Smart Sound Technology for USB Audio Intel® Smart Sound Technology for Digital Microphones
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    (1) Samsung SSD 990 EVO Plus 2TB; (2) external Samsung Portable SSD T5 Shield 8TB
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    8AC1 KBC Version 12.03.39
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    3840 x 2160
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    HP Elite Tower 800
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    HHKB Lite 2
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    800MB/sec up & down
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    BIOS U01 Ver. 02.18.10
hsehestedt said:
Spinrite was absolutely amazing back in the old days when HDDs were from 10MB to 30MB (yes, MB, not GB or TB). I rescued several drives that had become otherwise unreadable. One of the most useful tools I have ever used.
Click to expand...
That was during the MFM/RLL/SCSI/ESDI days when the controllers were not part of the HDD themselves and then IDE/ATA came along.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WindowsXP/7/8/8.1/10/11,Linux,Android,FreeBSD Unix
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    Laptop
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    Dell XPS 15 9570
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i7-8750H 8th Gen 2.2Ghz up to 4.1Ghz
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    Dell XPS 15 9570
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    64GB using 2x32GB CL16 Mushkin redLine modules
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    Intel UHD 630 & NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB DDR5
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    Realtek ALC3266-CG
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    15.6" 4K Touch UltraHD 3840x2160 made by Sharp
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 4K UltraHD
    Hard Drives
    Samsung MZ-V9P4T0B/AM 990 PRO 4TB PCIe®4.0 NVMe™ M.2 SSD was Toshiba KXG60ZNV1T02 NVMe 1TB SSD
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    Dell XPS 15 9570
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    Dell XPS 15 9570
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    Stock
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    Stock
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    SwitftPoint ProPoint
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    Comcast/XFinity 1.44Gbps/42.5Mbps
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    Microsoft EDGE (Chromium based) & Google Chrome
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    Windows Defender that came with Windows
TonyCzar said:
GRC's InitDisk just resurrected my older Lexar 256GB flash drive. It was dead as a doornail; Windows didn't see it. I had to insert and un-insert it a few times, but when InitDisk 'saw' it I was informed by the program. A great way to start the day!
Click to expand...
I'll have to give this a shot. I have a 128GB Sandisk Ultra Flash Drive that I used probably once or twice in 2016 but when I tried it the other day, it was also dead as a doornail. Windows saw it but couldn't access the files or something.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WindowsXP/7/8/8.1/10/11,Linux,Android,FreeBSD Unix
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 15 9570
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i7-8750H 8th Gen 2.2Ghz up to 4.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    Dell XPS 15 9570
    Memory
    64GB using 2x32GB CL16 Mushkin redLine modules
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD 630 & NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB DDR5
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC3266-CG
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" 4K Touch UltraHD 3840x2160 made by Sharp
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 4K UltraHD
    Hard Drives
    Samsung MZ-V9P4T0B/AM 990 PRO 4TB PCIe®4.0 NVMe™ M.2 SSD was Toshiba KXG60ZNV1T02 NVMe 1TB SSD
    PSU
    Dell XPS 15 9570
    Case
    Dell XPS 15 9570
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Stock
    Mouse
    SwitftPoint ProPoint
    Internet Speed
    Comcast/XFinity 1.44Gbps/42.5Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft EDGE (Chromium based) & Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender that came with Windows
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