Strange behaviour on local disk when downloading a file
I am trying to download directly to an external hdd, and I have noticed strange behaviour.
SUMMARY: So it seems like it's just downloading to the local disk first, then moving the file to the external (at an insane speed).
I'm on windows 8.1. Let's say I have 500mb of free space left on my local disk and wish to download a 1gb file from a web browser. So I click 'Save As' and choose the external hdd. Now as I check file explorer, I do see a partial file appearing on the external hdd, but the free space on my local disk is rapidly dropping. At the same rate as the download speed... Eventually the free local space becomes zero and the download just pauses at halfway. When I try again and clear 1gb of free local space, the download completes then the free space is restored to 1gb again, instantly, and the downloaded file is on the external.
So it seems like it's just downloading to the local disk first, then moving the file to the external (at an insane speed). This a problem, because if I want to download a bigger file, it'll be very hard to clear up space as my local disk is only 22gb, and space is always tight there. So essentially, the 'save as' feature is kind of meaningless? I've tried with IE, firefox and chrome, and the same weird behaviour occurs. Though it doesn't happen when I download with utorrent for some reason, or with other programs.
I've also tried looking in the 'Temporary Internet Files' directory to see if any large files were being written, and they weren't. I've also tried changing that directory to somewhere on the external hdd, but the strange behaviour still occurs.
What's going on? Is this normal? If so, Is there a way to bypass it like with other programs?
Any feedback will be appreciated
Modified by disposable98
All Replies (6)
What kinda file are we talking about? And it could be the format of the HDD doesn't allow that much download data to download and that could also be a problem. And this also could be a O/S related problem as well.
It sounds like the file is downloaded to temp storage before it will be sent to the other hard drive.
Move some of the files you don't use to the external to nake room.
The dFredMcD said
It sounds like the file is downloaded to temp storage before it will be sent to the other hard drive. Move some of the files you don't use to the external to nake room.
It's difficult to make room for a 2gb file, as there isn't much to move, and please don't say 'buy a new computer'. That's what my external drive is for. I also think it's some kind of temp storage issue, but how do I get around it? It should be possible
WestEnd said
What kinda file are we talking about? And it could be the format of the HDD doesn't allow that much download data to download and that could also be a problem. And this also could be a O/S related problem as well.
It's a Zip file. Does this strange behaviour happen to your computer as well? Because it might
Modified by disposable98
I don't know if this will help;
This download manager works separately from the browser. The browser tells it what to download, and off it goes.
http://www.freedownloadmanager.org It is a powerful modern download accelerator and organizer for Windows and Mac.
Maybe start Firefox with a CMD file and set the %temp% (and %tmp%) environment variable to a folder on the other drive that you created before to make Firefox use the other drive during the download.
set temp=<path to temp folder> start "" "<path_to_firefox\firefox.exe>"
FredMcD said
I don't know if this will help; This download manager works separately from the browser. The browser tells it what to download, and off it goes. http://www.freedownloadmanager.org It is a powerful modern download accelerator and organizer for Windows and Mac.
Ok I will try that
cor-el said
Maybe start Firefox with a CMD file and set the %temp% (and %tmp%) environment variable to a folder on the other drive that you created before to make Firefox use the other drive during the download. set temp=<path to temp folder> start "" "<path_to_firefox\firefox.exe>"
I've kind of tried this already, except I set those 2 environment variables in advanced system settings in control panel (windows). It made no difference