External hard disk stops responding

[DirtyPlates]

hi there....

iv'e got a hard disk that you can plug in to a usb or firewire port. i dont have enough spare ports to plug it into a usb port so i put it into my laptops firewire port instead.

now it keeps breaking. i keep getting a message about "delayed write error" or something like that.

how do i fix it?

[toshwriter]

Can we have some specs please? What computer are you using? and what hard disk? Do you have any other firewire components connected?

Just to check: does the hard disk have any problems when it's used in a USB port? It's also worth noting that problems where the drive stops responding could be down to poor quality cables or connectors.

[DirtyPlates]

its made by atmt... 300GB, USB and firewire interfaces... ill see if i cn find it on amazon.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ATMT-300GB-7200RPM-FireWire-External/dp/tech-data/B0007OJY8S/ref=de_a_smtd?ie=UTF8&qid=1197382730&sr=8-6

i think thats it. my computer is a dell laptop... inspiron 5150 i think.

the cables look pretty gd, they were knew straight out of the box so i dont think their broken? i don't have any other firewire devices, and i never had the problem with usb.,

duz any1 know how to fix the problem?

[toshwriter]

Okay.

I had a look at ATMT's website - you might want to try some of the suggestions on their troubleshooter page:

http://atmt.co.uk/faq_answers.htm#5

This depends on whether you're using XP SP2 or not. Maybe answer 4 would be suitable too.

[DirtyPlates]

thnx 4 ur quick response tosh!

im just slightly confused... what do u mean by sp2?

[toshwriter]

Have a look at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_Pack_2#Service_Pack_2

To find out if you've got it, right click on My Computer, then click Properties. On the "General" tab it should tell you what operating system you're running.

If you can't find "My Computer", you're not running windows (XP at least!), in which case answer 5 won't help you.

[DirtyPlates]

hmm

i thought that would fix the problem but it hasnt. any other suggestions?

it often fails when copyng a large file,a balloon comes up on the bottom right and gives the error message 'delayed write error'.

[toshwriter]

More info would be helpful.

When the error next occurs, click "start -> run" then "eventvwr" in the box. This should open the windows event viewer which will allow you to view the log.

The log should contain information about any errors. Click "System" in the left hand tree. Have a look through the recent entries - there are likely to be quite a few, some of which will be caused by the hard disk failing, rather than being its cause (eg programs complaining that it's not there any more). You'll have to use your own judgement to figure out which is which!

If you double click on the relevant one it might tell you how to fix the problem.