Windows-Delayed Write Failed

[Joe McGuire]

I found this error message on my WinXP computer this morning with the
following "explanation:"
"Windows was unable to save all the data for the file
\Device\HarddiskVolume4. The data has been lost. This error may be caused
by the failure of your computer hardware or network connection. Please try
to sav ethe data elsewhere."
I found this error maybe a month or two ago but never got around to asking
about it. I am unable to find any file by this name. Any idea what this
means? FWIW I have an external hard drive for backup. Of course the
computer has its own hard drive, too. Thanks!

 

[R. McCarty]

The message basically means that there was a transfer to the named
volume and Windows wasn't able to flush ( or write ) the data. XP
logs data transactions that do not complete. This can happen if you
use an external drive that is removed/unplugged before the system
can fully complete a write operation.

Drives can be configured to use "Write Behind Caching". Usually a
removable drive does not use this and it's policy is set for "Quick
Removal".

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I found this error message on my WinXP computer this morning with the
following "explanation:"
"Windows was unable to save all the data for the file
\Device\HarddiskVolume4. The data has been lost. This error may be
caused by the failure of your computer hardware or network connection.
Please try to sav ethe data elsewhere."
I found this error maybe a month or two ago but never got around to asking
about it. I am unable to find any file by this name. Any idea what this
means? FWIW I have an external hard drive for backup. Of course the
computer has its own hard drive, too. Thanks!

That's *most likely* your external drive, especially if it is connected at
all times (which makes it much less a reliable backup method than having 2+
drives and/or disconnecting it and moving it away from the actual computer
in-between backups. *grin*)

Unfortunately - with only what you have given to go on - all I could give
you 'for sure' is that it is some problem related to one of your hard disk
drives where it could not dump the contents of the cache to the drive it
intended to dump said contents to for some reason. Could be a lot of
things.

In any case - I have come across a decent short-list in my Internet searches
before - you might find it enlightening.

http://www.gibni.com/windows-delayed-write-failed-solved

 

[Joe McGuire]

Thanks! That's a little weird since I have not disconnected the external
drive ever since I first connected it. I think I'll contact the manufacturer
to see what they know about this issue--or at least what they'll admit to
knowing!

JWM


--
Joe McGuire

The message basically means that there was a transfer to the named
volume and Windows wasn't able to flush ( or write ) the data. XP
logs data transactions that do not complete. This can happen if you
use an external drive that is removed/unplugged before the system
can fully complete a write operation.

Drives can be configured to use "Write Behind Caching". Usually a
removable drive does not use this and it's policy is set for "Quick
Removal".

 

[Joe McGuire]

Thanks! Time to contat the manufacturer of my external hard driv!

 

[Joe McGuire]

The external hard disk maker's tech explains: The likely explanation is
that the external hard drive was improperly disconnected somehow, leading to
uncertainlty on the part of the computer (a laptop) and Windows as to the
target location for some data that was to be saved to it. Such a
disconnection could be caused by a power failure, even momentarily. Such a
failure would have no effect on the laptop itself since its internal battery
would take over . The recommendation is to open the Safely remove hardware
thingie and disonnect the external hard drive. Then reconnect. Then
consider getting a UPS to provide some battery backup to the external drive.