PS3 My PS3 ISO games running from an external HDD randomly hang for a second or not even that

[Coldheart2236]

Defraggler states the external HDD is 27% fragmented while Windows 10's defrag tool states 0%.

You could do a quick defrag first to see what results you get. 27% is quite a lot of file fragmentation on the HDD.

 

[Coldheart2236]

When you say that it will definitely take a hit to performance, what do you mean? May the PS3 freeze or restart (like it did) and may the game freeze or stutter?

It's far less efficient to play a game that is split up into multiple parts than it is to run a single ISO. It's somewhat similar to the difference between playing a game from the disc compared to playing it from a ripped ISO image of the game disc. The system has to search the disc for the data needed, which means extra strain on the BD drive. Luckily this isn't the case for ISO format, but the principle is similar when it comes to searching for the data needed in a different section of the split ISO.

You might not get crashes or freezes, but perhaps for some demanding games load times will be longer and you may experience some lag in-game. I don't have any personal experience with using split ISOs, so this is only based upon what I've read from others. It is faster and a smoother experience to use a single ISO file from an NTFS partition, which can be on the same drive as a FAT32 partition which is my setup.

 

[Windows10User]

You could do a quick defrag first to see what results you get. 27% is quite a lot of file fragmentation on the HDD.

I don't know which type of defrag I'm doing but it's taking a lot of time (maybe it has to do with the external HDD's size or the file's and folder's size inside it)... It's focusing on the ISO parts. How often should I do this? Every time I have this problem, after playing some time, after splitting a new ISO, etc.? And if I have two partitions should I do it for both, and if so, would it take more time than if I had a single but larger partition? What if I do this on my PC's HDD? Do you think I should check for errors on Windows or it would take a lot of time and it wouldn't do a thing?

It's far less efficient to play a game that is split up into multiple parts than it is to run a single ISO. It's somewhat similar to the difference between playing a game from the disc compared to playing it from a ripped ISO image of the game disc. The system has to search the disc for the data needed, which means extra strain on the BD drive. Luckily this isn't the case for ISO format, but the principle is similar when it comes to searching for the data needed in a different section of the split ISO.

You might not get crashes or freezes, but perhaps for some demanding games load times will be longer and you may experience some lag in-game. I don't have any personal experience with using split ISOs, so this is only based upon what I've read from others. It is faster and a smoother experience to use a single ISO file from an NTFS partition, which can be on the same drive as a FAT32 partition which is my setup.

Sorry, I didn't understand. The ISOs (as well as the JB and other games) would be on both partitions and not only on the NTFS one? I'd preserve the ability of doing multiple PKG install from the external HDD on multiMAN as long as I copied the PKG files to the FAT32 partition's package folder? I got NTFS working in the past on multiMAN in this external HDD even though I've read it has problems with it so it shouldn't be a problem. Since this external HDD is 1 TB maybe a 10 GB FAT32 partition to store future PKG files would be enough and then I could use the remaining space for the NTFS partition. What do you think?

By the way, do you have any idea what may be causing the webMAN MOD/sMAN problem?

EDIT: I just remembered I've been using this external HDD to store some files and folders (maybe it's also this fragmented because of them and not only the ISO parts) before buying a new one for only them so although I currently don't have an over 4 GB file I may have one or some in the future so the NTFS partition may have to be bigger than 10 GB...

EDIT 2: I used Defraggler to defrag the drive and it took a lot of time finish the task but now it states the external HDD is 53% fragmented when before it stated it was 27% fragmented (Windows 10 keeps saying it's 0% fragmented)! Is it normal? I found some guys complaining about it on the internet. Some of them even stated the avalable space was reduced after the defrag so it might be my case too (I don't remember how much free space I had).

 

[Coldheart2236]

I don't know which type of defrag I'm doing but it's taking a lot of time (maybe it has to do with the external HDD's size or the file's and folder's size inside it)... It's focusing on the ISO's split parts. How often should I do this? Every time I have this problem, after playing some time, after splitting a new ISO, etc.? And if I have two partitions should I do it for both, and if so, would it take more time than if I had a single but larger partition? What if I do this on my PC's HDD? Do you think I should check for errors on Windows or it would take a lot of time and it wouldn't do a thing?

The amount of time it takes to perform a full defrag depends on how much data is on the drive and how fragmented the files on the drive are. You could defrag every 3-6 months and not have an issue, but again it depends on how much the drive gets used, what gets deleted/added to the drive. In general, the more a drive is used the more fragmented it will become.

If you use both partitions, defrag both by all means. Again, length of time depends on the given partition's level of fragmentation. NTFS partitions in particular I'd recommend if you have any, due to the potential file sizes and the fragmentation of large files. If you use your PC and haven't defragged it but are noticing longer loading times, then it's worth doing as it's maintenance than unfortunately way too many people don't even bother with or are even aware of.

You can check the drive for errors, either with the CHKDSK that's included with Windows, and/or with Defraggler. As far as I'm aware, the Defraggler error check for HDDs mainly checks the S.M.A.R.T. status of the drive, but I could be wrong on that. It doesn't take that long, a few minutes or so for me but your results may vary.

Sorry, I didn't understand. The ISOs (as well as the JB and other games) would be on both partitions and not only on the NTFS one? I'd preserve the ability of doing multiple PKG install from the external HDD on multiMAN as long as I copied the PKG files to the FAT32 partition's package folder? I got NTFS working in the past on multiMAN in this external HDD even though I've read it has problems with it so it shouldn't be a problem. Since this external HDD is 1 TB maybe a 10 GB FAT32 partition to store future PKG files would be enough and then I could use the remaining space for the NTFS partition. What do you think?

That wouldn't be a problem. I use my FAT32 partition to store ISOs and other backups that are 4GB or under. For everything else, I use my NTFS partition. You don't need to install packages from multiMAN since it can be done from Package Manager on the XMB. To install multiple packages, they need to be on the root of the FAT32 partition - again this is done from Package Manager. The packages folder is for installing individual packages. Make the NTFS/FAT32 partitions as big as you like; if you just want the FAT32 to store packages then 10GB may be fine but again, it's all about your individual requirements. Hope this helps.

Edit:

EDIT: I just remembered I've been using this external HDD to store some files and folders (maybe it's also this fragmented because of them and not only the ISO split parts) before buying a new one for only them so although I currently don't have a + 4 GB file I may have one or some in the future so the NTFS partition may have to be bigger than 10 GB...

EDIT 2: I used Defraggler to defrag the drive and it took a lot of time finish the task but now it states the external HDD is 53% fragmented when before it stated it 27% fragmented (Windows 10 keeps saying it's 0% fragmented)! Is it normal? I found some guys complaining about it on the internet. Some of them even stated the avalable space was reduced after the defrag so it might be my case too (I don't remember how much free space I had).

1. Make it as big as you like. If possible I'd avoid split ISOs altogether, and play from NTFS for the best performance and internal efficiency. Nothing wrong with using FAT32 for ISOs 4GB or less, which is what I do myself, but anything bigger and you're infinitely better off using NTFS and since multiMAN, ManaGunZ, webMAN MOD, IRISMAN and other backup managers all support NTFS there's really no reason not to. I use webMAN MOD primarily, and really only use multiMAN to rip my discs for future ISO conversion.

2. I've never had an issue with Defraggler, and I've used it (just the free version) for over 10 years at this point. That said, there's nothing wrong with Windows' built-in tool. They perform the same function, but I like Piriform as a dev team as I also use CCleaner by them and have done, again for over 10 years. A matter of preference, but again I've not had any negative experiences with Defraggler but that's not to say it's perfect or that others haven't ran into issues.

 

[Windows10User]

That wouldn't be a problem. I use my FAT32 partition to store ISOs and other backups that are 4GB or under. For everything else, I use my NTFS partition. You don't need to install packages from multiMAN since it can be done from Package Manager on the XMB. To install multiple packages, they need to be on the root of the FAT32 partition - again this is done from Package Manager. The packages folder is for installing individual packages. Make the NTFS/FAT32 partitions as big as you like; if you just want the FAT32 to store packages then 10GB may be fine but again, it's all about your individual requirements. Hope this helps.

I wasn't remembering the ISOs that are 4 GB or under. Anyway, because of that the 10 GB FAT32 partition wouldn't be enough since I had to do multiple PKG installs which were over 5 GB. Sorry, but how can I do multiple PKG installs without using multiMAN? When you say the PKG must be on the root of the FAT32 partition you mean they must be inside the packages folder? I've placed them in it but the option to install them all doesn't show up after pressing the triangle button unless I use multiMAN before. So, I have to place them on the root of the FAT32 partition and then what?

Edit:

1. Make it as big as you like. If possible I'd avoid split ISOs altogether, and play from NTFS for the best performance and internal efficiency. Nothing wrong with using FAT32 for ISOs 4GB or less, which is what I do myself, but anything bigger and you're infinitely better off using NTFS and since multiMAN, ManaGunZ, webMAN MOD, IRISMAN and other backup managers all support NTFS there's really no reason not to. I use webMAN MOD primarily, and really only use multiMAN to rip my discs for future ISO conversion.

2. I've never had an issue with Defraggler, and I've used it (just the free version) for over 10 years at this point. That said, there's nothing wrong with Windows' built-in tool. They perform the same function, but I like Piriform as a dev team as I also use CCleaner by them and have done, again for over 10 years. A matter of preference, but again I've not had any negative experiences with Defraggler but that's not to say it's perfect or that others haven't ran into issues.

1. If I learn how to do multiple PKG installs without using multiMAN I suppose I won't split ISOs. But it looks like multiMAN has some problems with NTFS although it was working with my drive when it was formatted as NTFS. Anyway, how can I make two different partitions on the external HDD and does the first one need to be FAT32 or it doesn't matter?

2. So you don't know what happened? Could it be worse now? Should I use CCleaner on my external drive?

EDIT: Do I still need to defrag my external HDD from time to time to even if I only have non-split ISOs? Also, I've already checked for errors on the external HDD using Defraggler and using Windows 10's tool but not CHKDSK but could you tell me what's the difference between these 3 (I'm not even sure if Windows 10's tool and CHKDSK are different but there were times I had to restart the PC to be able to check for erros on the internal HDD) and if I should also use the latter? CHKDSK may take a long of time, at least according to past experiences checking my internal HDD.

 

[Coldheart2236]

If I learn how to do multiple PKG installs without using multiMAN I suppose I won't split ISOs. But it looks like multiMAN has some problems with NTFS although it was working with my drive when it was formatted as NTFS. Anyway, how can I make two different partitions on the external HDD and does the first one need to be FAT32 or it doesn't matter?

You could try installing and running prepNTFS. Get it here by expanding the webMAN MOD section and scrolling down. Run it once, reboot to be sure and that should hopefully resolve the issue with multiMAN.

I use Windows 7 myself, but here is a guide for how to create new partitions in Windows 10. It doesn't matter which you create first.

So you don't know what happened? Could it be worse now? Should I use CCleaner on my external drive?

No idea. Like I said, my own experiences with Defraggler have been good, but you don't have to use it; there are several free defrag tools available online. You can also just use the one built into Windows 10. CCleaner is for your PC HDD really, since it cleans up temporary files, allows you to uninstall programs, and is generally more of a system cleaning tool which you can use periodically to clean up junk on your system. CCleaner used to be called Crap Cleaner, but they changed the name a long time ago.

Do I still need to defrag my external HDD from time to time to even if I only have non-split ISOs? Also, I've already checked for errors on the external HDD using Defraggler and using Windows 10's tool but not CHKDSK but could you tell me what's the difference between these 3 (I'm not even sure if Windows 10's tool and CHKDSK are different but there were times I had to restart the PC to be able to check for erros on the internal HDD) and if I should also use the latter? CHKDSK may take a long of time, at least according to past experiences checking my internal HDD.

The drive is going to fragment over time, with use, regardless. The more you delete, add and use the drive the more it will fragment over time. FAT32 and NTFS are old file systems, and fragmentation is just a consequence of the technology. Split ISOs or not, it's a good idea to keep the drive as defragmented as possible to maintain optimal performance.

CHKDSK is the internal Windows name for Check Disk, a built-in tool for checking for issues with the hard drive. Either press the Windows key and R and then in the Run... box type "chkdsk /f" without quotations to just fix errors on the drive, or "chkdsk /r" to both fix errors as well as locate bad sectors and attempt recovery. You will have to reboot to do so, as you mentioned doing before. It should still work with Windows 10, but I've never used it personally. You can also right click on the drive (internal or external), click Properties then the Tools tab and there should be a section called Error-checking or something similar.

I'm not sure of the exact differences between the two; both perform similar functions but it's not really a big deal which one you use to be honest. You would be aware if your drive had a problem with it; defragmentation and error-checking are two different things and if you've already run the check in Defraggler then you're fine.

 

[Windows10User]

You could try installing and running prepNTFS. Get it here by expanding the webMAN MOD section and scrolling down. Run it once, reboot to be sure and that should hopefully resolve the issue with multiMAN.

But like I said may times I can't use webMAN MOD/sMAN since they always freeze my PS3 and it looks like that tool is for the former. What issue with multiMAN are you talking about?

I use Windows 7 myself, but here is a guide for how to create new partitions in Windows 10. It doesn't matter which you create first.

Not even if they are GPT or MPT partitions? I thought I'd need a program to create a FAT32 partition on my external HDD since FAT32 is not available on Windows 10 after right-clicking on the drive but it looks like it's available there, which is strange. What about this?

No idea. Like I said, my own experiences with Defraggler have been good, but you don't have to use it; there are several free defrag tools available online. You can also just use the one built into Windows 10. CCleaner is for your PC HDD really, since it cleans up temporary files, allows you to uninstall programs, and is generally more of a system cleaning tool which you can use periodically to clean up junk on your system. CCleaner used to be called Crap Cleaner, but they changed the name a long time ago.

I know, I've been using it for years. I just don't know if it can screw up the external HDD. Well, maybe it's better not to use any since it could become even more fragmented.

CHKDSK is the internal Windows name for Check Disk, a built-in tool for checking for issues with the hard drive. Either press the Windows key and R and then in the Run... box type "chkdsk /f" without quotations to just fix errors on the drive, or "chkdsk /r" to both fix errors as well as locate bad sectors and attempt recovery. You will have to reboot to do so, as you mentioned doing before. It should still work with Windows 10, but I've never used it personally. You can also right click on the drive (internal or external), click Properties then the Tools tab and there should be a section called Error-checking or something similar.

I only used the latter.

EDIT: What if I use my NTFS partition to store even the PS3 ISOs that are 4 GB and under? That way all the PS3 ISOs would be together.

 

[Coldheart2236]

But like I said may times I can't use webMAN MOD/sMAN since they always freeze my PS3 and it looks like that tool is for the former. What issue with multiMAN?

prepNTFS also works for multiMAN. The issue you mentioned of multiMAN having trouble with NTFS. Run prepNTFS and it should fix the issue, since it scans the relevant folders for games on the NTFS drive.

Not even if they are GPT or MPT partitions? I thought I'd need a program to create a FAT32 partition on my external HDD since FAT32 is not available on Windows 10 after right-clicking on the drive. What about this?

Both need to be MBR since GPT cannot be read by the PS3. I used the Disc Management service in Windows 7 to create both a FAT32 and an NTFS partition and both work absolutely fine. Again, there are several free tools available online so it's up to you. The thread you linked to is from January 2015, so it's redundant at this point. Drives need to be MBR, that's all you need to bear in mind.

I know, I've been using it for years. I just don't know if it can screw up the external HDD. Well, maybe it's better not to use any since it could become even more fragmented.

There's little if any point in using CCleaner on an external drive, since as you know it's intended for your Windows operating system.

What if I use my NTFS partition to store even the PS3 ISOs that are 4 GB and under? That way all the PS3 ISOs would be together.

That would be fine. They'd all be in the same folder, but even PS3 ISOs on the PS3's HDD (dev_hdd0) and FAT32 drives are all grouped together as backup managers scan for the PS3ISO folder on all three locations.

 

[Windows10User]

prepNTFS also works for multiMAN. The issue you mentioned of multiMAN having trouble with NTFS. Run prepNTFS and it should fix the issue, since it scans the relevant folders for games on the NTFS drive.

But I said that even though there are some users stating they have problems with NTFS drives being recognized by multiMAN I didn't have them when my external HDD was formatted as NTFS. The games were recognized by multiMAN but I couldn't and still can't after formatting the external HDD to FAT32 use it (multiMAN) to make multiple PKG installs and besides I think multiMAN already comes with prepNTFS. Anyway, how can I do a multiple PKG install without using multiMAN (since it doesn't work)/webMAN MOD/sMAN/irisMAN/ManaGunZ?

That would be fine. They'd all be in the same folder, but even PS3 ISOs on the PS3's HDD (dev_hdd0) and FAT32 drives are all grouped together as backup managers scan for the PS3ISO folder on all three locations.

Are PS3 ISOs that are 4 GB or under common? Also, I suppose the JB which are over 4 GB should be on the NTFS partition.

I know this is off-topic but sometimes (it's rare) during a game's loading my PSP 3000's screen goes black and I have no other choice but to take out the battery because I can't turn the PSP off. I have 6.61 Pro-C Infinity installed.

 

[Coldheart2236]

But I said that even though there are some users stating they have problems with NTFS drives being recognized by multiMAN I didn't have them when my external HDD was formatted as NTFS. The games were recognized by multiMAN but I couldn't and still can't after formatting the external HDD to FAT32 use it (multiMAN) to make multiple PKG installs and besides I think multiMAN already comes with prepNTFS. Anyway, how can I do a multiple PKG install without using multiMAN (since it doesn't work)/webMAN MOD/sMAN/irisMAN/ManaGunZ?

Fair enough, I misunderstood. Only run it if you have issues, since all the backup managers scan the same locations for game backups. As I already mentioned, you can install multiple packages by using Package Manager on the XMB. Select Package Manager, then hover over the Standard Package Location, press Triangle and select Install All Packages. This will install them as they are named, consecutively, in alphabetical order. This only works if the packages are on the root of the drive (X:\) where X is your drive letter, not in the packages folder (X:\packages).

Are PS3 ISOs that are 4 GB or under common? Also, I suppose the JB which are over 4 GB should be on the NTFS partition.

I know this is off-topic but sometimes (it's rare) during a game's loading on my PSP 3000 with 6.61 Pro-C Infinity installed the screen goes black and I have no other choice but to take out the battery because I can't turn the PSP off.

I have a few: SEGA Mega Drive: Ultimate Collection, Dead Island, Clive Barker's Jericho, Soldier of Fortune: Payback are the ones I can think of. I would say they'll be more common with older games, whereas newer ones like Uncharted 3, Call of Duty games, The Last of Us etc. will be upwards of the full 50GB BD capacity. I think Uncharted 3 GOTY Edition is 30-35GB.

JB only need to be in NTFS if some of the game files are over 4GB. This varies from game to game.

As for the PSP, you're better off creating a thread in one of the relevant subforums since I've only used one a couple of times in my entire life so know virtually nothing about them.

 

[Windows10User]

Fair enough, I misunderstood. Only run it if you have issues, since all the backup managers scan the same locations for game backups. As I already mentioned, you can install multiple packages by using Package Manager on the XMB. Select Package Manager, then hover over the Standard Package Location, press Triangle and select Install All Packages. This will install them as they are named, consecutively, in alphabetical order. This only works if the packages are on the root of the drive (X:\) where X is your drive letter, not in the packages folder (X:\packages).

I was able to do a multiple PKG install by placing the PKG files on the root of the external HDD (although they show up duplicated) like you said but it didn't work for the split PKG ones (I used PS3 Tools Collection's PS3 File Splitter). Maybe my FAT32 partition should be 20 GB instead of 10 GB because I noticed there are + 10 GB PKG files even though I don't know if I'll download them (all of this assuming I learn how to install the split PKG files, of course).

What if the PKG files are over 4 GB? How can I install them on a FAT32 drive? I guess I'd have to split them. Is the Package Manager capable of making a multiple split PKG install?

 

[Coldheart2236]

What if the PKG files are over 4 GB? How can I install them on a FAT32 drive? I guess I'd have to split them. Is the Package Manager capable of making a multiple split PKG install?

For that I think you need PKG Linker, but I have no experience in using it myself, so if you get stuck you're best off creating a new thread specifically for that.

 

[Windows10User]

For that I think you need PKG Linker, but I have no experience in using it myself, so if you get stuck you're best off creating a new thread specifically for that.

PKG Linker works but I had to install HAN Toolbox first for it to work and PKG Linker doesn't support multiple PKG install. Anyway, when I click the PKG file it transfers something (the length depends on the PKGs' size) before installing the PKG so it looks like it's a lot slower than copying the split PKG files to the root of the external HDD (after using PS3 Tools Collection's PS3 File Splitter to split the over 4 GB PKG files) and using multiMAN/mmCM to do multiple installs (it doesn't need Internet acess unlike PKG Linker) so I'll stick with this second method even though with PKG Linker the external HDD's space doesn't matter and it doesn't take twice the space this PS3 File Splitter and multiMAN/mmCM method do (since it doesn't copy files like it before installing) which makes it (PKG Linker method) having these two (at least) advantages over the PS3 File Splitter and multiMAN/mmCM method.

EDIT: I've been using IRISMAN to install PKGs from the external HDD after mounting them with it and although it's slower than installing them from the PS3's HDD and I can't do multiple PKG installs at least it doesn't copy them to the PS3's HDD to install them and maybe it's faster than FTPing them to the PS3's HDD and afterwards install them (I suppose I should only do that with small PKG files and install the big ones after copying them from the external HDD using IRISMAN's file manager even though I'd have the copying process extra step [and I guess I should take this procedure for PS3 games which take a lot of time to install game data as well and afterwards delete the games from there and play them from the external HDD]).

 

[Windows10User]

I just noticed the PS3 game where I'm supposedly having lag (although I think I also had it in games whose PS3 ISOs were split) wasn't split because it's below 4 GB. Is it ok to have lag when the PS3 ISO is below 4 GB or that doesn't matter since I have other PS3 ISOs which are over 4 GB and are split (not to mention that I have other files and folders)? Maybe this isn't lag but just a slight slowdown, after all. I'll join the other ISO parts and see if I still have this problem on this game (as well as a similar problem on the joined ISO parts). Maybe this is normal for games running from an external drive.

EDIT: I still have it after joining the ISO parts.

 

[ElGris]

Wait, you weren't the guy that had an external HDD making weird noises? Download Crystal Disk Info, and see what's going on on your HDD. See if it is on blue or yellow.

 

[Windows10User]

Wait, you weren't the guy that had an external HDD making weird noises? Download Crystal Disk Info, and see what's going on on your HDD. See if it is on blue or yellow.

Yes, I was. I installed that program and it's blue in all attributes and it shows up as "healthy" but it only detects the external HDD's FAT32 partition and not the NTFS one too.

On the other hand, my PC's HDD is blue in all attributes except the Reallocated Sectors Count one and shows up as "allert" (if I hover the mouse over it, it states "Alert [05] Reallocated Sectors Count : 34" and if I click on it looks like I may apply new values).