Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware,comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage (More info?)
I have the following hard disks on my machine:
C: Maxtor 6L040J2 (40GB) 2.5 years old
F: Maxtor 6Y080M0 (80GB) 1 year old
Other specs are: A7A266 motherboard, 2600+ Athlon
(currently running as a 2200+), XP Home. The machine
has performed for 2.5 years without significant problems.
Last night when I booted up, at the Windows XP login screen I get
the following error:
Delayed Write Failed:
---
"Windows was unable to save all the data for the file C:$Mft. The data
has been lost. This error may be caused by a failure of your computer
hardware or network connection. Please try to save this file
elsewhere."
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330174
---
I get a series of these error messages; the file mentioned is
usually "C:$Mft" (whatever that is), but other files are also
mentioned. Eventually, there are no more dialog boxes displayed,
but the system hangs, and I can't log in.
I got one or two of these messages last week, but while logged
in, and they didn't cause a system failure. I took the action
recommended at http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330174
and turned off "Enable write caching on the disk" for both hard disks.
(However, since this had been turned on for 2.5 years, I'm not sure
why it could have been a problem).
Suspecting hard disk problems, I used Maxtor's PowerMax program (which runs
from a floppy, so I don't have to be able to log in to use it)
to check the disks. I ran both the Advanced test and the Burn In test
on both drives, leaving the Burn In test to run on the C: drive for
7 hours. Both passed with no errors. However, I realise these tests
are only read not write.
My questions are:
* Does anyone know any other tests I could run (from a CD or floppy)
to check the hardware? For example, are there any tools to test the
drives' write capabilities?
* Does it sound like a hardware failure, or is it likely to be
another cause? Perhaps nothing to do with the hard drive?
What other hardware in the machine should I check?
* The only thing I did differently recently was to install a DSL
modem (connected by Ethernet). I use a firewall and run an
anti-virus regularly, so think a virus/trojan is unlikely, but
thought there may be an issue there?
Any help appreciated,
P.
I have the following hard disks on my machine:
C: Maxtor 6L040J2 (40GB) 2.5 years old
F: Maxtor 6Y080M0 (80GB) 1 year old
Other specs are: A7A266 motherboard, 2600+ Athlon
(currently running as a 2200+), XP Home. The machine
has performed for 2.5 years without significant problems.
Last night when I booted up, at the Windows XP login screen I get
the following error:
Delayed Write Failed:
---
"Windows was unable to save all the data for the file C:$Mft. The data
has been lost. This error may be caused by a failure of your computer
hardware or network connection. Please try to save this file
elsewhere."
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330174
---
I get a series of these error messages; the file mentioned is
usually "C:$Mft" (whatever that is), but other files are also
mentioned. Eventually, there are no more dialog boxes displayed,
but the system hangs, and I can't log in.
I got one or two of these messages last week, but while logged
in, and they didn't cause a system failure. I took the action
recommended at http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330174
and turned off "Enable write caching on the disk" for both hard disks.
(However, since this had been turned on for 2.5 years, I'm not sure
why it could have been a problem).
Suspecting hard disk problems, I used Maxtor's PowerMax program (which runs
from a floppy, so I don't have to be able to log in to use it)
to check the disks. I ran both the Advanced test and the Burn In test
on both drives, leaving the Burn In test to run on the C: drive for
7 hours. Both passed with no errors. However, I realise these tests
are only read not write.
My questions are:
* Does anyone know any other tests I could run (from a CD or floppy)
to check the hardware? For example, are there any tools to test the
drives' write capabilities?
* Does it sound like a hardware failure, or is it likely to be
another cause? Perhaps nothing to do with the hard drive?
What other hardware in the machine should I check?
* The only thing I did differently recently was to install a DSL
modem (connected by Ethernet). I use a firewall and run an
anti-virus regularly, so think a virus/trojan is unlikely, but
thought there may be an issue there?
Any help appreciated,
P.
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