"Delayed Write Failed" error message when you manage files in Windows XP (330174)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
This article was previously published under Q330174

SYMPTOMS

When you save or move documents or during general file-management activities in Windows XP, you may intermittently receive "Delayed Write Failed" error messages.

CAUSE

This issue may be caused if any of the following conditions exist:
  • The "Enable write caching on the disk" feature for your disk is turned on.
  • Your Ultra Direct Memory Access (UDMA) hard disk controller is configured in either of the following ways:
    • You are using a 40-wire connector cable to connect the UDMA drive to the controller instead of the required 80-wire, 40-pin cable.
    • Your BIOS settings are configured to force faster UDMA modes.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue:
  1. Make sure that your UDMA hard disk controller is using an 80-wire, 40-pin cable. For information about how to do so, view the documentation that is included with your computer, or contact your UDMA hard disk controller manufacturer. Test to determine if the issue is resolved. If the issue is resolved, do not complete the remaining steps. If the issue is not resolved, go to the next step.
  2. Warning Do not change your BIOS settings unless you are very familiar with all the effects of changing BIOS settings.

    Make sure that your BIOS settings are not configured to force faster UDMA modes. For information about how to do so, view the documentation that is included with your computer, or contact your computer manufacturer. Test to determine if the issue is resolved. If the issue is resolved, do not complete the remaining steps. If the issue is not resolved, go to the next step.
  3. Turn off the "Enable write caching on the disk" feature:

    Note If you turn off the "Enable write caching on the disk" feature, your disk performance may decrease. Because of this, you may want to monitor system performance after you complete the following procedure.
    1. In Windows Explorer, right-click your hard-disk, and then click Properties.
    2. Click the Hardware tab.
    3. Click the hard disk, and then click Properties.
    4. Click the Policies tab.
    5. Click to clear the Enable write caching on the disk check box, and then click OK two times.
    6. Repeat steps c-e for each hard disk that is installed in your computer.

MORE INFORMATION

When you start your computer, the BIOS checks the system-specific settings that are stored in the complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chip. You can modify these settings as your computer or your needs change.

For more information about file lock or access denied error messages when you save files to a UNC path, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

812937 File lock or access denied error message when you save files over the network

Delayed Write Failure

Data corruption may occur if the Large System Cache feature is enabled in Windows XP. This problem does not occur on all systems. The key ingredients that lead to data corruption may include:
  • System Memory greater than 512 Meg. (1 gigabyte of RAM is common)
  • Large NTFS disk volumes and multiple large volumes. (60-100 gigabyte hard drives possibly in RAID arrays)
  • AGP graphics with large AGP resource requirements (AGP aperture greater than default)
  • Large file transfers. This problem occurs when the computer runs out of system page table entries. Windows determines (at boot time) the default number of page table entries to assign, based on the amount of system memory available.
The conditions listed above all contribute to increasing the number of page table entries that Windows XP must maintain and in extreme cases the page table entries may be exhausted. To avoid this problem ensure the System Cache option is NOT selected for Memory usage.
To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties to open the System Properties dialog box.
  2. Click the Advanced tab, and then under Performance click Settings.
  3. Under Performance Options, click the Advanced tab.
  4. Under Memory Usage, click to select Programs, if it is not already selected.
  5. Click OK.

WORKAROUND

Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.You may be able to work around this problem by increasing the value for page table entries. To increase the value for page table entries, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, in the Open: box type regedit, and then click OK.
  2. Locate the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management
  3. In the right pane, right-click the value SystemPages, and then click Modify.
  4. In the Value data box, type the following value: 0xFFFFFFFF and then click OK.
  5. Exit Registry Editor.
Note0xFFFFFFFF is the safest value however a value greater than the default but less than the maximum may provide better results.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:5/18/2006
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB330174
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