Hi,
Well, a few hours later, and here is an update;
Control Panel / Systems / Hardware / Device Manager - WD Drive Management Devices - Driver:
Driver Provider Western Digital Technologies
Driver date - 06/03/2009
vs - 1.0.8.0
no update for this driver available according to windows;
Control Panel / Systems / Hardware / Device Manager - Universal Serial Bus Controllers
NEC PCI to USB Open Host Controller
Driver Provider Microsoft
Driver date - 01/07/2001
vs - 5.1.2600.2180
no update for this driver available according to windows;
I have been to several sites, (2 that volunteered to give me free driver scans, but lead to pay for dirvers) Microsoft at this page - http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;312370
and they are aware of a problem going back to pre Win XP before SP 1, but they claim that this was resolved with SP 1
I have done a rebuild thinking that would resolve the issue, and installed SP3 and nothing has changed; I tried a USB Key (4gb) and it is also having issues of speed similar to the WD drives, so I have to presume that the issue is in the USB NEC card, and software related; the card is 6 years old, so it is possible that this is an issue, as i have not been able to find drivers for it today; I was on the CNET site and they had old drivers similar to what I already have;
I am going to pick up another card, which comes with drivers, and will report back;
part of my effort has been to install SiS Software Sandra and PC Wizard 2010; as well as to clock the various transfers with a stop watch program; notihng has changed;
Time for a brew and some sleep - Cheers 