Delayed Write Failed on external USB drive

[Glenn Holliday]

Hello,

I'm having frequent "Delayed Write Failed" errors on an
external USB drive. I think it's a software issue
rather than a drive failure. I find lots of people asking
about this issue, but I haven't found a definitive diagnosis.
The Microsoft KB articles I've found are all about
specific vendors, which aren't the same as my vendor.
I've tried all the solutions that seem to fit my setup,
without success. Does anybody know what really causes
this, and what I should try next?

Details: HP Compaq Presario SR1750NX, 1 Gb RAM, Windows XP SP2
Media Edition, automatic updates on, so Windows should be
completely current. In addition to the system's original
internal drive (which is partitioned as C: and D, a
SimpleTech 250 Gb external USB disk, formatted as NTFS
and a single primary partition, which I bought for cheap backup.

Frequently when I write to this disk, Windows pops up the message
"Delayed Write Failed
Windows was unable to save all the data for the file"

Since most of the files I write are Windows Backup Utility
files, they range up to 30 Gb big. Using comp, I find that
some of the files I save to this disk are OK, but many differ
from the original. Smaller files are more likely to travel
intact, bigger files more likely to be corrupt.

The errors do not only happen on write, but often when I am only
reading from the disk. One morning I began to get the errors
on power-up. I did not touch the disk for read or write all
day, but all day long Windows popped up "Delayed Write Failed"
errors. The errors are often for F:\$Mft, F:\$BitMap, and F:\.
They are for specific file names when I am writing those files.

Since I get "Write" errors when I'm not writing, and also from
reading the many diagnoses and suggestions I find on the Internet,
I suspect the issue is not write failures at all. I've checked
that the Windows cache for the disk and the processor are off.
I've tried reassigning the drive letter.

I've asked SimpleTech support, but they have not responded.
I don't think I can return the drive, since I suspect there
is nothing wrong with the hardware.

I've seen a suggestion to reformat the drive from a primary
partition to an extended partition. I'm looking for a
tutorials on partitions to learn why the manufacturer made
it a primary partition at the factory, and what are the
implications of changing this. Is this a good idea to try,
or does it have other effects that I don't want?

Does Microsoft know why this happens?

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Anna]

Hello,

I'm having frequent "Delayed Write Failed" errors on an
external USB drive. I think it's a software issue
rather than a drive failure. I find lots of people asking
about this issue, but I haven't found a definitive diagnosis.
The Microsoft KB articles I've found are all about
specific vendors, which aren't the same as my vendor.
I've tried all the solutions that seem to fit my setup,
without success. Does anybody know what really causes
this, and what I should try next?

Details: HP Compaq Presario SR1750NX, 1 Gb RAM, Windows XP SP2
Media Edition, automatic updates on, so Windows should be
completely current. In addition to the system's original
internal drive (which is partitioned as C: and D, a
SimpleTech 250 Gb external USB disk, formatted as NTFS
and a single primary partition, which I bought for cheap backup.

Frequently when I write to this disk, Windows pops up the message
"Delayed Write Failed
Windows was unable to save all the data for the file"

Since most of the files I write are Windows Backup Utility
files, they range up to 30 Gb big. Using comp, I find that
some of the files I save to this disk are OK, but many differ
from the original. Smaller files are more likely to travel
intact, bigger files more likely to be corrupt.

The errors do not only happen on write, but often when I am only
reading from the disk. One morning I began to get the errors
on power-up. I did not touch the disk for read or write all
day, but all day long Windows popped up "Delayed Write Failed"
errors. The errors are often for F:\$Mft, F:\$BitMap, and F:\.
They are for specific file names when I am writing those files.

Since I get "Write" errors when I'm not writing, and also from
reading the many diagnoses and suggestions I find on the Internet,
I suspect the issue is not write failures at all. I've checked
that the Windows cache for the disk and the processor are off.
I've tried reassigning the drive letter.

I've asked SimpleTech support, but they have not responded.
I don't think I can return the drive, since I suspect there
is nothing wrong with the hardware.

I've seen a suggestion to reformat the drive from a primary
partition to an extended partition. I'm looking for a
tutorials on partitions to learn why the manufacturer made
it a primary partition at the factory, and what are the
implications of changing this. Is this a good idea to try,
or does it have other effects that I don't want?

Does Microsoft know why this happens?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Glenn:
It's very hard, to say the least, just what's at the root of the problem
you're experiencing. Let me offer a few suggestions just to start the
diagnoses process...

1. Determine from SimpleTech (or from the specifications if indicated) the
make of the HDD and download the HDD diagnostic utility from the
manufacturer of the drive and check out the disk.

2. Change the USB data cable. I assume you've probably tried different USB
ports but in case you haven't, do so. Also, do not use a USB hub, nor a USB
extension cable when connecting the device to your PC.

3. I assume you've also checked Device Manager - the Disk drives section -
to see if there's anything untoward there re your USB disk drive. Ditto for
the USB controllers section.

4. Any chance of getting your hands on another USBEHD to determine if the
same problem exists when connected to your machine?

5. Simply get in touch with SimpleTech, explain that the device is
apparently defective, get an RMA, return it. (I assume it's still covered
under their 3-year warranty).
Anna