Blue Screen - Drive C

[Scott]

Once in awhile, on my Win98 First Edition desktop, I will get a blue screen that
says "Unable to write to Drive C". When I click on enter, the desktop appears,
and everything works fine. Could this be an impending hard drive issue?

Thanks!
Scott

 

[glee]

Yes, it could be the precursor of a dying hard drive....the end may be near. First,
back up any data you do not want to lose (documents, pictures, email) to a CD or USB
memory stick or another hard drive or external drive.

Then follow these instructions:

If a failing hard drive is suspected, it can be tested by running the diagnostics
from the hard drive manufacturer's web site.

If you don't know what brand the drive is, you can download the limited-use free
edition of OnTrack Data Advisor from this location:
http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com/data-recovery-downloads/#dataadvisor

Click the download link on that page for Data Advisor Trial Edition in your
language, to download the diskette creator file.

The downloads are diskette creators. They are to be run once from a working Windows
system and will guide you through the process of extracting the Data Advisor onto a
3.5" floppy disk.

Download and Use Instructions:
http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com/hard-drive-software/dataadvisor-download.aspx

An older version of SeaTools, for creating a bootable floppy disk or for creating a
bootable CD if you don't have a floppy drive, is here:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2858.html
Sea Tools contains both a Seagate-specific diagnostic and a Generic test that will
run on all brands of drives.

Hard Drive Diagnostic Programs by Vendor:

OnTrack Data Advisor:
http://www.ontrack.com/freesoftware/#dataadvisor

IBM/Hitachi Drive Fitness Test:
http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/download.htm

Western Digital Data Lifeguard Tools:
http://support.wdc.com/download/

Quantum/Maxtor PowerMax:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Maxtor_Powermax_d1386.html

Seagate SeaTools for DOS:
http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools

--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm


"Scott" <golden@uslink.net> wrote in message news:47B723C5.1D8864C9@uslink.net...
> Once in awhile, on my Win98 First Edition desktop, I will get a blue screen that
> says "Unable to write to Drive C". When I click on enter, the desktop appears,
> and everything works fine. Could this be an impending hard drive issue?
>
> Thanks!
> Scott

 

[PCR]

Scott wrote:
| Once in awhile, on my Win98 First Edition desktop, I will get a blue
| screen that says "Unable to write to Drive C". When I click on
| enter, the desktop appears, and everything works fine. Could this be
| an impending hard drive issue?

I agree fully with glee all the time. However, here is another
possibility, if remote...

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/192844/en-us
Computer Hangs After Upgrade to Windows 98 with EtherFast Card

.......Quote.........................
SYMPTOMS
When you upgrade your computer to Windows 98, you may receive the
following error messages:

Disk write error, unable to write to disk in drive C, data or files may
be lost
-or-
An exception 0E has occurred @ 0028:C0035A67 in vxd ifsmgr (01)

After receiving these error messages, your computer stops responding
(hangs).

CAUSE
This behavior can occur if you have a Linksys EtherFast 10/100 network
adapter in your computer. The EtherFast network adapter can cause a
resource conflict with Windows 98 PCI Steering.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, modify the resources of the EtherFast network
adapter so that it no longer conflicts with Windows 98 PCI Steering. To
modify the resources of your EtherFast network adapter, consult the
adapter's documentation or contact Linksys for more information.

To work around this issue, disable the EtherFast network adapter. To do
so, use the following steps:

1. Restart your computer. Press and hold down the CTRL key
until you see the Windows 98 Startup menu.
2. Choose Safe Mode from the Startup menu.
3. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
4. Double-click System.
5. Click the Device Manager tab, and then double-click the
Network Adapters branch to expand it.
6. Right-click the EtherFast adapter, and then click Properties.
7. On the General tab, click the Disable In This Hardware Profile
check box to select it.
8. Click OK, and then click Close.
9. Restart your computer.

NOTE: After you disable your network adapter, you cannot use any shared
network programs, files, or printers.
Back to the top

APPLIES TO
• Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition
...........EOQ..............................

| Thanks!
| Scott

--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
Should things get worse after this,
PCR
pcrrcp@netzero.net

 

[Scott]

glee wrote:
>
> Yes, it could be the precursor of a dying hard drive....the end may be near. First,
> back up any data you do not want to lose (documents, pictures, email) to a CD or USB
> memory stick or another hard drive or external drive.
>
> Then follow these instructions:
>
> If a failing hard drive is suspected, it can be tested by running the diagnostics
> from the hard drive manufacturer's web site.
>
> If you don't know what brand the drive is, you can download the limited-use free
> edition of OnTrack Data Advisor from this location:
> http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com/data-recovery-downloads/#dataadvisor
>
> Click the download link on that page for Data Advisor Trial Edition in your
> language, to download the diskette creator file.
>
> The downloads are diskette creators. They are to be run once from a working Windows
> system and will guide you through the process of extracting the Data Advisor onto a
> 3.5" floppy disk.
>
> Download and Use Instructions:
> http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com/hard-drive-software/dataadvisor-download.aspx
>
> An older version of SeaTools, for creating a bootable floppy disk or for creating a
> bootable CD if you don't have a floppy drive, is here:
> http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2858.html
> Sea Tools contains both a Seagate-specific diagnostic and a Generic test that will
> run on all brands of drives.
>
> Hard Drive Diagnostic Programs by Vendor:
>
> OnTrack Data Advisor:
> http://www.ontrack.com/freesoftware/#dataadvisor
>
> IBM/Hitachi Drive Fitness Test:
> http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/download.htm
>
> Western Digital Data Lifeguard Tools:
> http://support.wdc.com/download/
>
> Quantum/Maxtor PowerMax:
> http://www.majorgeeks.com/Maxtor_Powermax_d1386.html
>
> Seagate SeaTools for DOS:
> http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools
>
> --
> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
> http://dts-l.net/
> http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm
>
> "Scott" <golden@uslink.net> wrote in message news:47B723C5.1D8864C9@uslink.net...
> > Once in awhile, on my Win98 First Edition desktop, I will get a blue screen that
> > says "Unable to write to Drive C". When I click on enter, the desktop appears,
> > and everything works fine. Could this be an impending hard drive issue?
> >
> > Thanks!
> > Scott

glee,

I went to Western Digital and tried two of the DOS programs for the WD Caviar SE 7200 rpm
drive, and couldn't get them to work. The Windows version said it was missing the
"smartvsd.vxp"
file in the Windows folder. I found this file elsewhere and put it where it suggested, then
rebooted, but the program would not run, maybe because the hard drive came up as "unknown"
after the program detected it. Since this drive is 3-5 years old, I tried the DOS floppy
program
DLGDIAG v4.15 (for older drives). I did the extended test, and it showed no errors. I have a
spare WD 80GB drive, which I could install and restore the drive image, but I'm wondering if
I
should wait to see if this occasional (twice in the last month) "unable to write to drive c"
error recurs. It happens not on bootup, but after the computer has been running awhile.

Does the test tell me for sure that the drive has absolutely no errors at the time of the
test?

Thanks again!
Scott

 

[glee]

"Scott" <golden@uslink.net> wrote in message news:47BA4C56.F3ED8867@uslink.net...
>
> glee wrote:
>>
>> Yes, it could be the precursor of a dying hard drive....the end may be near.
>> First,
>> back up any data you do not want to lose (documents, pictures, email) to a CD or
>> USB
>> memory stick or another hard drive or external drive.
>>
>> Then follow these instructions:
>>
>> If a failing hard drive is suspected, it can be tested by running the diagnostics
>> from the hard drive manufacturer's web site.
>>
>> If you don't know what brand the drive is, you can download the limited-use free
>> edition of OnTrack Data Advisor from this location:
>> http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com/data-recovery-downloads/#dataadvisor
>>
>> Click the download link on that page for Data Advisor Trial Edition in your
>> language, to download the diskette creator file.
>>
>> The downloads are diskette creators. They are to be run once from a working
>> Windows
>> system and will guide you through the process of extracting the Data Advisor onto
>> a
>> 3.5" floppy disk.
>>
>> Download and Use Instructions:
>> http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com/hard-drive-software/dataadvisor-download.aspx
>>
>> An older version of SeaTools, for creating a bootable floppy disk or for creating
>> a
>> bootable CD if you don't have a floppy drive, is here:
>> http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2858.html
>> Sea Tools contains both a Seagate-specific diagnostic and a Generic test that
>> will
>> run on all brands of drives.
>>
>> Hard Drive Diagnostic Programs by Vendor:
>>
>> OnTrack Data Advisor:
>> http://www.ontrack.com/freesoftware/#dataadvisor
>>
>> IBM/Hitachi Drive Fitness Test:
>> http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/download.htm
>>
>> Western Digital Data Lifeguard Tools:
>> http://support.wdc.com/download/
>>
>> Quantum/Maxtor PowerMax:
>> http://www.majorgeeks.com/Maxtor_Powermax_d1386.html
>>
>> Seagate SeaTools for DOS:
>> http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools
>>
>>
>> "Scott" <golden@uslink.net> wrote in message news:47B723C5.1D8864C9@uslink.net...
>> > Once in awhile, on my Win98 First Edition desktop, I will get a blue screen
>> > that
>> > says "Unable to write to Drive C". When I click on enter, the desktop appears,
>> > and everything works fine. Could this be an impending hard drive issue?
>> >
>> > Thanks!
>> > Scott
>
> glee,
>
> I went to Western Digital and tried two of the DOS programs for the WD Caviar SE
> 7200 rpm
> drive, and couldn't get them to work. The Windows version said it was missing the
> "smartvsd.vxp"
> file in the Windows folder. I found this file elsewhere and put it where it
> suggested, then
> rebooted, but the program would not run, maybe because the hard drive came up as
> "unknown"
> after the program detected it. Since this drive is 3-5 years old, I tried the DOS
> floppy
> program
> DLGDIAG v4.15 (for older drives). I did the extended test, and it showed no
> errors. I have a
> spare WD 80GB drive, which I could install and restore the drive image, but I'm
> wondering if
> I
> should wait to see if this occasional (twice in the last month) "unable to write
> to drive c"
> error recurs. It happens not on bootup, but after the computer has been running
> awhile.
>
> Does the test tell me for sure that the drive has absolutely no errors at the time
> of the
> test?
>
> Thanks again!
> Scott

Yes, I should have mentioned to use the Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for DOS if using
the Western Digital tools. It is better to test from DOS than from within Windows.

No, the test does not tell you for certain that there are no problems with the
drive. You could have a disk fault that is only intermittent, and might not show up
during the diagnostic test. Finding a disk diagnostic that can run continuously for
a long period (~8h hours) might help.

The error could also be caused by a memory (RAM) fault. try running a memory tester
overnight from a DOS floppy made with Windows Memory Tester:
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp
Follow the instructions on the web page.

You can also check that both the power and data ribbon cables are securely connected
to the hard drive, and reseat them to be sure. A loose or faulty data cable or
power cable could cause an intermittent error.

PCR has also cited another possibility in his reply in this thread.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm

 

[Scott]

glee wrote:
>
> "Scott" <golden@uslink.net> wrote in message news:47BA4C56.F3ED8867@uslink.net...
> >
> > glee wrote:
> >>
> >> Yes, it could be the precursor of a dying hard drive....the end may be near.
> >> First,
> >> back up any data you do not want to lose (documents, pictures, email) to a CD or
> >> USB
> >> memory stick or another hard drive or external drive.
> >>
> >> Then follow these instructions:
> >>
> >> If a failing hard drive is suspected, it can be tested by running the diagnostics
> >> from the hard drive manufacturer's web site.
> >>
> >> If you don't know what brand the drive is, you can download the limited-use free
> >> edition of OnTrack Data Advisor from this location:
> >> http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com/data-recovery-downloads/#dataadvisor
> >>
> >> Click the download link on that page for Data Advisor Trial Edition in your
> >> language, to download the diskette creator file.
> >>
> >> The downloads are diskette creators. They are to be run once from a working
> >> Windows
> >> system and will guide you through the process of extracting the Data Advisor onto
> >> a
> >> 3.5" floppy disk.
> >>
> >> Download and Use Instructions:
> >> http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com/hard-drive-software/dataadvisor-download.aspx
> >>
> >> An older version of SeaTools, for creating a bootable floppy disk or for creating
> >> a
> >> bootable CD if you don't have a floppy drive, is here:
> >> http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2858.html
> >> Sea Tools contains both a Seagate-specific diagnostic and a Generic test that
> >> will
> >> run on all brands of drives.
> >>
> >> Hard Drive Diagnostic Programs by Vendor:
> >>
> >> OnTrack Data Advisor:
> >> http://www.ontrack.com/freesoftware/#dataadvisor
> >>
> >> IBM/Hitachi Drive Fitness Test:
> >> http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/download.htm
> >>
> >> Western Digital Data Lifeguard Tools:
> >> http://support.wdc.com/download/
> >>
> >> Quantum/Maxtor PowerMax:
> >> http://www.majorgeeks.com/Maxtor_Powermax_d1386.html
> >>
> >> Seagate SeaTools for DOS:
> >> http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools
> >>
> >>
> >> "Scott" <golden@uslink.net> wrote in message news:47B723C5.1D8864C9@uslink.net...
> >> > Once in awhile, on my Win98 First Edition desktop, I will get a blue screen
> >> > that
> >> > says "Unable to write to Drive C". When I click on enter, the desktop appears,
> >> > and everything works fine. Could this be an impending hard drive issue?
> >> >
> >> > Thanks!
> >> > Scott
> >
> > glee,
> >
> > I went to Western Digital and tried two of the DOS programs for the WD Caviar SE
> > 7200 rpm
> > drive, and couldn't get them to work. The Windows version said it was missing the
> > "smartvsd.vxp"
> > file in the Windows folder. I found this file elsewhere and put it where it
> > suggested, then
> > rebooted, but the program would not run, maybe because the hard drive came up as
> > "unknown"
> > after the program detected it. Since this drive is 3-5 years old, I tried the DOS
> > floppy
> > program
> > DLGDIAG v4.15 (for older drives). I did the extended test, and it showed no
> > errors. I have a
> > spare WD 80GB drive, which I could install and restore the drive image, but I'm
> > wondering if
> > I
> > should wait to see if this occasional (twice in the last month) "unable to write
> > to drive c"
> > error recurs. It happens not on bootup, but after the computer has been running
> > awhile.
> >
> > Does the test tell me for sure that the drive has absolutely no errors at the time
> > of the
> > test?
> >
> > Thanks again!
> > Scott
>
> Yes, I should have mentioned to use the Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for DOS if using
> the Western Digital tools. It is better to test from DOS than from within Windows.
>
> No, the test does not tell you for certain that there are no problems with the
> drive. You could have a disk fault that is only intermittent, and might not show up
> during the diagnostic test. Finding a disk diagnostic that can run continuously for
> a long period (~8h hours) might help.
>
> The error could also be caused by a memory (RAM) fault. try running a memory tester
> overnight from a DOS floppy made with Windows Memory Tester:
> http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp
> Follow the instructions on the web page.
>
> You can also check that both the power and data ribbon cables are securely connected
> to the hard drive, and reseat them to be sure. A loose or faulty data cable or
> power cable could cause an intermittent error.
>
> PCR has also cited another possibility in his reply in this thread.
> --
> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
> http://dts-l.net/
> http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm

Glen,

I ran the Data Lifeguard Diagnostic program in DOS, and the drive checked out with zero
errors. However, a few days later, the computer crashed and wouldn't reboot. A check in DOS
showed just a handful of files left on the C Drive. It looks like the blue screen error
message
was right. I pulled the drive and replaced it with a new WD drive...and used Acronis True
Image to restore everything. I've had drives fail before. That's life.

Scott