Delayed Write File - XP Only?

[aaronking]

Hello,

After re-installing XP last week on a system that has been working fine for years, I started getting Delayed Write Files when trying to install software. I've tried a couple (but not all) of the fixes on the Windows support site and have also tried installing XP on another drive but am still getting the errors.

I hadn't changed any hardware or settings before encountering the problem and I can't imagine that both drives are failing at the exact same time. I reset the bios back to defaults (from overclocked) and still no luck. The drives I've tried installing XP on are both Seagate IDE, thought I also have a Seagate Sata connected that I use for storage. I actually just disconnected the Sata to see if it would make a difference, but it didn't.

As it is maddening to try and troubleshoot this, I am wondering if installing Windows 7 will alleviate the problem. Or, will I still get the Write Files errors?

My system specs are:

GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 (rev. 1.3) Bios 10
INTEL CORE 2 DUO E4300 (overclocked)
4gb (4X1) Super Talent DDR800 (not overclocked)
160 Gbyte Seagate Barracuda 7200.7
250 Gbyte Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (sata)
GeForce PX6600

 

[theevilsharpie]

A delayed write file error is typically a symptom of another problem. In your case, it may be due to a controller failure, an incompatible or defective driver, another hardware device that is causing the computer to stall, or some other issue that's making your storage subsystem unstable.

As an initial troubleshooting step, I would suggest reverting your CPU as well as any other overclocked components back to stock speeds, and see if the problem continues. If it does, check your System event log and look for any disk errors. If you find them, they should tell you which disk or disk controller is causing a problem, and will help you narrow down your search for the cause of the problem.

 

[aaronking]

Thanks for the reply,

I did revert all settings back to normal, but that didn't solve the problem.

How do I check the System Event Log?

Aaron

A delayed write file error is typically a symptom of another problem. In your case, it may be due to a controller failure, an incompatible or defective driver, another hardware device that is causing the computer to stall, or some other issue that's making your storage subsystem unstable.

As an initial troubleshooting step, I would suggest reverting your CPU as well as any other overclocked components back to stock speeds, and see if the problem continues. If it does, check your System event log and look for any disk errors. If you find them, they should tell you which disk or disk controller is causing a problem, and will help you narrow down your search for the cause of the problem.

 

[aaronking]

It looks like this might have been memory related. I've taken out two of the four memory sticks and am no longer getting the Delayed Write Failed errors. Any ideas about this?

 

[theevilsharpie]

Memory failures usually cause BSODs, but I suppose it could cause some file system issues.

Test your memory with Memtest86, and see if you can narrow it down to a single stick. If your memory is, in fact, defective, you should see errors within first 1-2 minutes of the test.

Also, run the test at your system's stock speed to rule out your overclock as a problem.