Disapearing sub-directories on Western Digital MyBook Essential 250 GB

Hi,
I'm having trouble w/my new WD MyBook Essential 250. After I bought it
approx. 3 weeks ago I created 2 NTFS partitions. On one of the
partitions I created 2 folders, "video" & "Audio". two nights ago I'd
started to download 3 torrents from Dimeadozen.org. For 2 of the
torrents I created separate sub folders under the "video" folder and
another sub folder for the third torrent under the "audio" Folder.

I saw in each sub directory the files in the torrents had been created
and data was being downloaded. I left my PC on all night so I could
finish downloading all 3 torrents.

When I checked my PC the morning after there was an error message on
all 3 Bittorrent clients saying the directory name was invalid. When I
opened the Audio & Video folders they were empty, none of the sub
directories I'd created were there nor any of the torrent data. Also,
2 backup files on the other partition were gone as well. They weren't
in the recycle bin or anywhere else.

I tried rebooting and all the files & folders that were missing were
back the way they were. I'm not sure how this happened, everything
else on my PC seemed fine, only the data on the MyBook was affected.
This also happened last night under similar conditions but this time I
was at my PC when it happened & the following error message popped up
next to the "safely remove hardware" icon on the sys tray;

"Windows Delayed Write Failed
Windows was unable to save all the data for the file H:\$Mft. The data
has been lost. This error may be caused by a failure of your computer
hardware or network connection. Please try to save your file
elsewhere."


Any idea what may have caused this and how I can prevent it from
happening again? I've tried this type of download to both of my 2
internal drives but never had this problem. Thanks

FYI, I'm running XP Pro SP 2 on a Dell Dimension.

"Daniel G." <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi,
> I'm having trouble w/my new WD MyBook Essential 250. After I bought it
> approx. 3 weeks ago I created 2 NTFS partitions. On one of the
> partitions I created 2 folders, "video" & "Audio". two nights ago I'd
> started to download 3 torrents from Dimeadozen.org. For 2 of the
> torrents I created separate sub folders under the "video" folder and
> another sub folder for the third torrent under the "audio" Folder.
>
> I saw in each sub directory the files in the torrents had been created
> and data was being downloaded. I left my PC on all night so I could
> finish downloading all 3 torrents.
>
> When I checked my PC the morning after there was an error message on
> all 3 Bittorrent clients saying the directory name was invalid. When I
> opened the Audio & Video folders they were empty, none of the sub
> directories I'd created were there nor any of the torrent data. Also,
> 2 backup files on the other partition were gone as well. They weren't
> in the recycle bin or anywhere else.
>
> I tried rebooting and all the files & folders that were missing were
> back the way they were. I'm not sure how this happened, everything
> else on my PC seemed fine, only the data on the MyBook was affected.
> This also happened last night under similar conditions but this time I
> was at my PC when it happened & the following error message popped up
> next to the "safely remove hardware" icon on the sys tray;
>
> "Windows Delayed Write Failed
> Windows was unable to save all the data for the file H:\$Mft. The data
> has been lost. This error may be caused by a failure of your computer
> hardware or network connection. Please try to save your file
> elsewhere."
>
>
> Any idea what may have caused this and how I can prevent it from
> happening again? I've tried this type of download to both of my 2
> internal drives but never had this problem. Thanks
>
> FYI, I'm running XP Pro SP 2 on a Dell Dimension.

Well, that's bad.

Delay Write failed can be either:

1) A problem with the USB chipset on the drive
2) A bad drive.

I'd be more likely to guess #2.

"Daniel G." <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi,
> I'm having trouble w/my new WD MyBook Essential 250. After I bought it
> approx. 3 weeks ago I created 2 NTFS partitions. On one of the
> partitions I created 2 folders, "video" & "Audio". two nights ago I'd
> started to download 3 torrents from Dimeadozen.org. For 2 of the
> torrents I created separate sub folders under the "video" folder and
> another sub folder for the third torrent under the "audio" Folder.
>
> I saw in each sub directory the files in the torrents had been created
> and data was being downloaded. I left my PC on all night so I could
> finish downloading all 3 torrents.
>
> When I checked my PC the morning after there was an error message on
> all 3 Bittorrent clients saying the directory name was invalid. When I
> opened the Audio & Video folders they were empty, none of the sub
> directories I'd created were there nor any of the torrent data. Also,
> 2 backup files on the other partition were gone as well. They weren't
> in the recycle bin or anywhere else.
>
> I tried rebooting and all the files & folders that were missing were
> back the way they were. I'm not sure how this happened, everything
> else on my PC seemed fine, only the data on the MyBook was affected.
> This also happened last night under similar conditions but this time I
> was at my PC when it happened & the following error message popped up
> next to the "safely remove hardware" icon on the sys tray;
>
> "Windows Delayed Write Failed
> Windows was unable to save all the data for the file H:\$Mft. The data
> has been lost. This error may be caused by a failure of your computer
> hardware or network connection. Please try to save your file
> elsewhere."
>
>
> Any idea what may have caused this and how I can prevent it from
> happening again? I've tried this type of download to both of my 2
> internal drives but never had this problem. Thanks
>
> FYI, I'm running XP Pro SP 2 on a Dell Dimension.

Could the downloads have been halted for some reason, leaving the file(s)
incomplete? Did your system go to sleep or enter into hibernation, thus
mucking up your downloads? Did a program begin to run in the background,
like an anti-virus scan for instance, or some kind of automatic update to an
application installed on your system?
It just so happens I sell external hard drives (www.users.qwest.net~kcfoltz)
so I would be interested to know what you paid for your WD MyBook.

1) NTFS is not supported for removeable devices. It might work, but you're
on your own.
2) Some motherboards (like ASUS I'm struggling with) have BIG problems with
USB high-speed signalling integrity. This means the devices might get
re-enumerated (go through unplug-replug cycle) at random moments.


"Daniel G." <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi,
> I'm having trouble w/my new WD MyBook Essential 250. After I bought it
> approx. 3 weeks ago I created 2 NTFS partitions. On one of the
> partitions I created 2 folders, "video" & "Audio". two nights ago I'd
> started to download 3 torrents from Dimeadozen.org. For 2 of the
> torrents I created separate sub folders under the "video" folder and
> another sub folder for the third torrent under the "audio" Folder.
>
> I saw in each sub directory the files in the torrents had been created
> and data was being downloaded. I left my PC on all night so I could
> finish downloading all 3 torrents.
>
> When I checked my PC the morning after there was an error message on
> all 3 Bittorrent clients saying the directory name was invalid. When I
> opened the Audio & Video folders they were empty, none of the sub
> directories I'd created were there nor any of the torrent data. Also,
> 2 backup files on the other partition were gone as well. They weren't
> in the recycle bin or anywhere else.
>
> I tried rebooting and all the files & folders that were missing were
> back the way they were. I'm not sure how this happened, everything
> else on my PC seemed fine, only the data on the MyBook was affected.
> This also happened last night under similar conditions but this time I
> was at my PC when it happened & the following error message popped up
> next to the "safely remove hardware" icon on the sys tray;
>
> "Windows Delayed Write Failed
> Windows was unable to save all the data for the file H:\$Mft. The data
> has been lost. This error may be caused by a failure of your computer
> hardware or network connection. Please try to save your file
> elsewhere."
>
>
> Any idea what may have caused this and how I can prevent it from
> happening again? I've tried this type of download to both of my 2
> internal drives but never had this problem. Thanks
>
> FYI, I'm running XP Pro SP 2 on a Dell Dimension.

In comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage Tom Scales <> wrote:

> "Daniel G." <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Hi,
>> I'm having trouble w/my new WD MyBook Essential 250. After I bought it
>> approx. 3 weeks ago I created 2 NTFS partitions. On one of the
>> partitions I created 2 folders, "video" & "Audio". two nights ago I'd
>> started to download 3 torrents from Dimeadozen.org. For 2 of the
>> torrents I created separate sub folders under the "video" folder and
>> another sub folder for the third torrent under the "audio" Folder.
>>
>> I saw in each sub directory the files in the torrents had been created
>> and data was being downloaded. I left my PC on all night so I could
>> finish downloading all 3 torrents.
>>
>> When I checked my PC the morning after there was an error message on
>> all 3 Bittorrent clients saying the directory name was invalid. When I
>> opened the Audio & Video folders they were empty, none of the sub
>> directories I'd created were there nor any of the torrent data. Also,
>> 2 backup files on the other partition were gone as well. They weren't
>> in the recycle bin or anywhere else.
>>
>> I tried rebooting and all the files & folders that were missing were
>> back the way they were. I'm not sure how this happened, everything
>> else on my PC seemed fine, only the data on the MyBook was affected.
>> This also happened last night under similar conditions but this time I
>> was at my PC when it happened & the following error message popped up
>> next to the "safely remove hardware" icon on the sys tray;
>>
>> "Windows Delayed Write Failed
>> Windows was unable to save all the data for the file H:\$Mft. The data
>> has been lost. This error may be caused by a failure of your computer
>> hardware or network connection. Please try to save your file
>> elsewhere."
>>
>>
>> Any idea what may have caused this and how I can prevent it from
>> happening again? I've tried this type of download to both of my 2
>> internal drives but never had this problem. Thanks
>>
>> FYI, I'm running XP Pro SP 2 on a Dell Dimension.

> Well, that's bad.

> Delay Write failed can be either:

> 1) A problem with the USB chipset on the drive
> 2) A bad drive.

> I'd be more likely to guess #2.

It can also happen with substandard cables. I had one.
Problems with an USB hub or the USB chipset in the computer
may also cause it.

The way to fix this is probably to disable delayed writes.
If I remember correctly they should not be enabled on removable
media in the first place. I don't remember were to explicitely
disable them though.

Arno

In comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage Alexander Grigoriev <> wrote:
> 1) NTFS is not supported for removeable devices. It might work, but you're
> on your own.

Aha, there is the problem. I suppose NTFS routinely runs with
write-buffering?

> 2) Some motherboards (like ASUS I'm struggling with) have BIG problems with
> USB high-speed signalling integrity. This means the devices might get
> re-enumerated (go through unplug-replug cycle) at random moments.

I have seen that with a bad USB cable as well. Was under Linux and
the kernel disabled the drive consistently during writes.
Gounf bach to USB 1.0 or using another cable fixed the issue.

Arno


> "Daniel G." <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Hi,
>> I'm having trouble w/my new WD MyBook Essential 250. After I bought it
>> approx. 3 weeks ago I created 2 NTFS partitions. On one of the
>> partitions I created 2 folders, "video" & "Audio". two nights ago I'd
>> started to download 3 torrents from Dimeadozen.org. For 2 of the
>> torrents I created separate sub folders under the "video" folder and
>> another sub folder for the third torrent under the "audio" Folder.
>>
>> I saw in each sub directory the files in the torrents had been created
>> and data was being downloaded. I left my PC on all night so I could
>> finish downloading all 3 torrents.
>>
>> When I checked my PC the morning after there was an error message on
>> all 3 Bittorrent clients saying the directory name was invalid. When I
>> opened the Audio & Video folders they were empty, none of the sub
>> directories I'd created were there nor any of the torrent data. Also,
>> 2 backup files on the other partition were gone as well. They weren't
>> in the recycle bin or anywhere else.
>>
>> I tried rebooting and all the files & folders that were missing were
>> back the way they were. I'm not sure how this happened, everything
>> else on my PC seemed fine, only the data on the MyBook was affected.
>> This also happened last night under similar conditions but this time I
>> was at my PC when it happened & the following error message popped up
>> next to the "safely remove hardware" icon on the sys tray;
>>
>> "Windows Delayed Write Failed
>> Windows was unable to save all the data for the file H:\$Mft. The data
>> has been lost. This error may be caused by a failure of your computer
>> hardware or network connection. Please try to save your file
>> elsewhere."
>>
>>
>> Any idea what may have caused this and how I can prevent it from
>> happening again? I've tried this type of download to both of my 2
>> internal drives but never had this problem. Thanks
>>
>> FYI, I'm running XP Pro SP 2 on a Dell Dimension.

Alexander Grigoriev <> wrote:

> 1) NTFS is not supported for removeable devices.

Pig ignorant drivel.

> It might work, but you're on your own.

Pig ignorant drivel.

> 2) Some motherboards (like ASUS I'm struggling with) have BIG problems with USB high-speed
> signalling integrity. This means the devices might get re-enumerated (go through unplug-replug
> cycle) at random moments.


> "Daniel G." <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Hi,
>> I'm having trouble w/my new WD MyBook Essential 250. After I bought
>> it approx. 3 weeks ago I created 2 NTFS partitions. On one of the
>> partitions I created 2 folders, "video" & "Audio". two nights ago I'd
>> started to download 3 torrents from Dimeadozen.org. For 2 of the
>> torrents I created separate sub folders under the "video" folder and
>> another sub folder for the third torrent under the "audio" Folder.
>>
>> I saw in each sub directory the files in the torrents had been
>> created and data was being downloaded. I left my PC on all night so
>> I could finish downloading all 3 torrents.
>>
>> When I checked my PC the morning after there was an error message on
>> all 3 Bittorrent clients saying the directory name was invalid. When
>> I opened the Audio & Video folders they were empty, none of the sub
>> directories I'd created were there nor any of the torrent data. Also,
>> 2 backup files on the other partition were gone as well. They weren't
>> in the recycle bin or anywhere else.
>>
>> I tried rebooting and all the files & folders that were missing were
>> back the way they were. I'm not sure how this happened, everything
>> else on my PC seemed fine, only the data on the MyBook was affected.
>> This also happened last night under similar conditions but this time
>> I was at my PC when it happened & the following error message popped
>> up next to the "safely remove hardware" icon on the sys tray;
>>
>> "Windows Delayed Write Failed
>> Windows was unable to save all the data for the file H:\$Mft. The
>> data has been lost. This error may be caused by a failure of your
>> computer hardware or network connection. Please try to save your file
>> elsewhere."
>>
>>
>> Any idea what may have caused this and how I can prevent it from
>> happening again? I've tried this type of download to both of my 2
>> internal drives but never had this problem. Thanks
>>
>> FYI, I'm running XP Pro SP 2 on a Dell Dimension.

On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 15:11:28 +1000, "Rod Speed"
<> wrote:

>Alexander Grigoriev <> wrote:
>
>> 1) NTFS is not supported for removeable devices.

NTFS works fine on a 120 GB WD ext drive and has for months.

Regards, Ralph

On 26 Apr 2007 03:06:03 GMT, Arno Wagner <> wrote:

>The way to fix this is probably to disable delayed writes.
>If I remember correctly they should not be enabled on removable
>media in the first place. I don't remember were to explicitely
>disable them though.
>
>Arno

(not cross-posted)

Not sure if this is what you're looking for:

Start | Settings | Control Panel | System | Hardware | Device Manager
| Disk Drives | Choose Drive + Right Click + Properties | Policies |
Optimize for Quick Removal

I might have posted a little more politely , but this is incorrect.
NTFS is absolutely supported on removeable devices. It has been running
on my WD My Book 500GB since the day I bought it.

Tom

-----Original Message-----
From: Rod Speed [private.php?do=newpm&u=]
Posted At: Thursday, April 26, 2007 1:11 AM
Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
Conversation: Disapearing sub-directories on Western Digital MyBook
Essential 250 GB
Subject: Re: Disapearing sub-directories on Western Digital MyBook
Essential 250 GB

Alexander Grigoriev <> wrote:

> 1) NTFS is not supported for removeable devices.

Pig ignorant drivel.