Posted on 01/24/2008 6:32:07 AM PST by savedbygrace
I need help. Out of the blue, my WindowsXP (SP2) system has gone crazy. It is frequently giving me a warning message in the System Tray that says:
Windows - Delayed Write Failed Windows was unable to save all the data for the file D:/$BitMap. The data has been lost. This error may be caused by a failure of your computer hardware or network connection. Please try to save this file elsewhere.
That file is apparently hidden, but revealing hidden files doesn't show it.
My WinXP volume is on C:/ and the D:/ drive volume is for data files.
I've googled for help, and done everything that Microsoft and others have suggested. Nothing helps. This began suddenly.
Any ideas? Any other info you need before you can help me?
Thanks.
When you move your pagefile it really doesn’t matter if it is a physical partition or logical. However, I have found that the supposed performance gain is minimal compared to increasing RAM. One trick you can do with partitions is to increase the block size for a partition that is storing large files such as Photos or Music. The Larger the block, the less the system needs to access to reassemble the file. As for the problem at hand here, sounds like a most likely is going to turn out to be failing hardware, however Check-disk and turning off delayed write may “cure” it for a while. I recently bought a 7200 rpm 160Gb dive for less than $40. Installed it on a 1GB Athlon System and I swear its faster than my 2.8 Celeron system. RAM and FAST Cheap drives can work near miracles.
I don’t know anything about this, but I am sure of one thing - IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT!! Once a smarty computer geek told me that if anything went wrong with my computer, usually the trouble would be somewhere between the back of my chair and the keyboard. These guys just can’t face that computers CAN do wrong sometimes. (I’m sure, though, that these posts on here are mostly good advice.)
My XP2 is the system from Hell, so you don’t need my advice! LOL
“I’d almost sooner replace the computer with a brand name computer than mess so deeply with the guts of this one again.
I’ve built several PCs over the years, and each time I finish one, I swear I’ll never do another one.”
Ditto.
I built every computer I owned until about 5 years ago. Just couldn’t get it to work. I spent a week checking and rechecking that thing. Had to hire a “nerd”, he said that it was just a simple miss connection.
Done, done, and done.
I looked closely at Lian-Li when I was getting ready to order parts for the last computer I built. I didn’t like it, but I don’t recall why. CompUSA had three or four different Lian-Li models, and I opened each one up and examined carefully. Wish I could recall why I rejected them, but I can’t.
Well, the Delayed Write warning message has returned. Since the time I replaced the misbehaving drive, I’ve had more than two full days without the warning, and now it’s popped up twice in the past 15 minutes.
So, I’m first thinking power supply, then immediately I think of the hassle that will be for my old hands, and I think of just buying a brand name computer to make it easy on myself.
Other than Dell, anybody care to recommend a brand? Depending on the deal, I might want to add more RAM, and add this new hard drive to it, but that will be the extent of my efforts at upgrading.
Ping list for this thread: savedbygrace;papasmurf;OneRatToGo;ArrogantBustard;petro45acp;80 Square Miles;Bosco;TomGuy;CA Conservative;Freemeorkillme;reagan_fanatic;Hillarys Gate Cult;Psycho_Bunny;TChris ;jdm;bt_dooftlook;Ranxerox;relictele;stylin19a;spanalot;Fishtalk;IrishMike ;Codeflier;mountainlyons;dangerdoc;A. Morgan;Snoopers-868th;ShadowAce;antiRepublicrat;citabria;Paleo Conservative;Cold Heat;bobwoodard;Son Of The Godfather;conservatism_IS_compassion;papasmurf;dubie;JerseyHighlander;Crolis;Born Conservative;roamer_1;ToryNotion;Gone_Postal;laker_dad;js1138;RobRoy;NRA2BFree;Twinkie;Woodman;Sen Jack S. Fogbound
In short, troubleshooting exactly what's going bad might take a lot of time. Be sure to keep regular backups.
Checking the power supply would be a good thing too. Any voltage that's more than about 10% off nominal (+/- 12V and 5V are the biggies) are suspect. Also check the manufacturer's recommended voltage for your CPU and RAM modules. The motherboard BIOS should let you see what the actual voltage being supplied to each of those is.
My last desktop was a Systemax build-to-suit from Tigerdirect.com.
It had a good price, and I had to pay only for what I needed.
At the time, I had just bought a new keyboard and mouse and had speakers and modem card from the old system, so I didn’t need to buy those.
And, it was a barebones drive (no operating system), so I got install the operating system I wanted.
Unfortunately computer buying information is like a head of lettuce, it changes and goes bad so often. For a few months Dell can be good, then they’re hunks of junk the next couple of quarters. Same with Gateway. Only someone who has dealt with these specific companies recently can give us the straight story as to their current quality and value.
About the only thing most can agree on is to avoid Compaq at all times.
Here’s a place also with mixed results;
What type of connector cable did you use to connect your HD to the MOBO?
What is UDMA mode set to in BIOS; what does your MOBO maker recommend?
Is "Enable write caching on the disk" turned off?
Is Memory usage set to Programs or System cache?
Is this a single drive partitioned into C:, D:, etc?
When did the problem first occur and can you recall exactly what you were doing?
Have you installed anything new recently?
80-pin IDE.
What is UDMA mode set to in BIOS; what does your MOBO maker recommend?
I'll try to remember to check that on the next boot.
Is "Enable write caching on the disk" turned off?
I've tried it both ways and it doesn't seem to matter. After I disabled it on the old D: drive, I thought it started behaving, but that didn't last long. This replacement drive has been set to Enable Write Caching, and it worked great for two full days. I just disabled it a few minutes ago, but I'm still getting the warnings.
Is Memory usage set to Programs or System cache?
Programs
Is this a single drive partitioned into C:, D:, etc?
No, this is a separate HDD from the boot drive. It lives on an Ultra ATA133 controller card in an expansion slot. Drive E:, also a separate drive, is on the same controller and the same channel. The other channel has a couple of optical drives.
When did the problem first occur and can you recall exactly what you were doing?
It began happening a day or so before I posted this thread. Kept getting worse. I was doing the same things I usually do, with the same apps open. Firefox, Thunderbird, Quicken, QuickBooks Pro, and Calendar.
Have you installed anything new recently?
No.
How old is your box, when did you build it, how old are the parts?
Do you have an available PCI slot to move the ATA133 Controller card to?
Have you tried bypassing the controller card and instead use the slave connector of the cable connected to your C: drive?
The best advice I can give you is to swap things one by one - shutdown and restart in between - philisophy = Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS) - the stupid part is not directed at your personally :-).
I'm an IT pro for a school dist - Net+, A+, MCP.
It and most of the parts probably 5 to 8 years old. It’s got a 2.4 GHz P4 on an old Asus mobo.
I probably have a spare slot, but I’m not sure which other slot it shares with. I’ll have to hunt for the manuals.
I can try moving it to the Slave position on the mobo’s IDE bus. Maybe tomorrow morning.
Since your box is that old, if you can get the drive to work by bypassing the controller card, then do that until you can save up to rebuild or purchase new(don't know your finances, but there are some good buys online at Newegg, etc - I work with Dell Latitudes/Optiplex/Precision models w/3yr warranties)
I'd rather rebuild - Dell, HP, etc are proprietary mostly.
Asus are my fav MOBOs.
There are two separate drives on the same controller channel of the ATA133 card, and except for one very brief exception, the E: drive has never given me any trouble.
As I said up-thread, every time I build a computer, I say, “That’s the last one. Never again.” Too much aggravation.
If I can’t resolve this, I’ll probably just buy a Dell with a long warranty. All I’ll add is this hard drive and maybe some RAM. I worked up a quote on a Dell the other day, and found that I can include plenty of RAM, so the only thing I’d probably need to add is this hard drive.
I’m wimping out in my old age.
Sorry to hear your unsuccessful attempts so far.
I did not realize you had a older machine as stated in the other posts. And noticed you are using a hard drive interface adapter. I would suspect that as the trouble source. I had similiar experience with it.
If you want to rebuild by installing a new up-to-date motherboard, you won’t need that adaptor board. I recommend an ASUS motherboard. They are very good, and their website has full support with software upgrades, etc. Excellent support.
You can buy a DELL or a HP but as the Florida Native pointed, their stuff inside the box is proprietary. Except for the drive. If you want to add stuff to it, you have to buy from them to make it fit so beware.
You pretty well eliminate most of the troublemaker. You can still try this....program the hard drive for ATA100 (use your installation CD), and take it off the ATA133 adapter, and plug it into the IDE connector. Put the BIOS in “AUTO”.
And see what happens!
Cheers,
Jack
Still, their machines are pretty good. I prefer DELL.
Call the DELL Sales Hotline, and ask for Branden Schumann. He’s my grandson and he will be happy to sell you one! He is knowlegeable about computer and will help you choose.
Three things:
Reseat/remove/replace the controller card- next most likely suspect.
check/reseat the RAM chips- RAM failures can materialize as anything.
Take any ATAPI devices offline and see if the problem still occurs. I have seen failing CDROMs create problems on drives, especially so if slaved to them.
So, I’m first thinking power supply
Unlikely, if you have taken a reading on the power. It is possible that you may have an intermittent issue. If you have the original driver disk for your box, it probably includes a TSR software that monitors fans and voltages, and will sound an alarm if outside of normal spec. It may be a good diagnostic tool for you considering the long term between events. More likely perhaps: inconsistent power to the box. Have you put it behind a battery backup unit? Poor power is a huge problem where I live, and brown power tends to take out hard drives...
Other than Dell, anybody care to recommend a brand? Depending on the deal, I might want to add more RAM, and add this new hard drive to it, but that will be the extent of my efforts at upgrading.
If you no longer care to do the work yourself, find a good local whitebox builder ad have him upgrade what you have, or build you a new one. Look for ASUS or MicroStar motherboard installers with a good local reputation.
Those are all great suggestions. I am working my way through them. Because the problem is not manifesting itself as regularly as it was just before I posted this thread, the troubleshooting is being dragged out.
Right now, I’m running the replacement drive with write caching disabled. Ever since the last reboot, the message has not popped up again. However, it was two full days after I replaced the drive before the warning popped up, so I’ll give it a few days before moving to the next troubleshooting step.
BTW, I have an APC SmartUPS 1000 on this computer, so power should be good to go. Steady square wave type power that treats gear right.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.