ChrisLudwig

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I’ve got a WinXP machine that keeps “loosing” a 400GB SATA drive.
It works fine for a hour or a couple of days, then just disappears. The only error is a “Windows Delay Write Error” any ideas of what to check?

Thanks
 

michaelahess

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hit up device manager and hit properties on the hd then scsi props, uncheck both boxes and restart. Also, and probably first, make sure the sata cable isn't loose.
 

Accident

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I had that error on 2/two harddrives and they both became unusable.
Try what Micaelahess said and if that don't work look for another drive.
 

michaelahess

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also, hit the ms knowledge base and search on the error, i kinda recall an article about disabling all delayed write actions, slows the drive down a bit but it might fix the issue.
 

ELGoku

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It's an early sign that HDD's are dying, I had the same problem on an old PC and yep they died after a while, altho they work fine as a backup drive on a USB device. My suggestion is to sell them CHEAP :twisted:
 

nextlevel

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i agree with ElGoku, this is coming from someone who does this for a living for 7 years. If the wire isnt loose, from your hard drive to your motherboard, more likely, the drive is going to go out. best bet is to get it replace if u still have warranty, most hard drive company won't replce it under this "assumption", so make up something creative(load clicking noise, bad sectors..etc.)
 

michaelahess

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I once had a molex adapter fail, the last chunk of metal in one pin fell off somehow and made intermittent contact. Try to update your mb drivers, try another sata slot, and try a different power plug.