HDD Write Error with USB Connection

[Wildhunt]

I bought a WD 500GB HD to use as external storage. I have a case that it sits in and it connects via USB. I formateed it fine and allocated a drive but when I copy files over to it I get a "Delayed Write Fail". I followed all the instructions from Microsoft without luck.

I decided to swap it out with my secondary drive in my computer. When it is installed as an internal drive, it works perfectly. To further test, I placed the former HD from my computer into the portable device. It copies files from it to the internal fine but copying files from the internal to the external give me the same Delayed Write Fail message. What am I missing?

[Dias de verano]

There may be some problem with the case (or "enclosure" as they are sometimes called). Some of the no-name Chinese models can be a bit problematic. Did you buy it empty and fit the HDD yourself? Was it a cheap enclosure? (Answer "Yes"=Big Clue!) You say you have "followed all the instructions from Microsoft", which doesn't actually tell us very much! You didn't bother to tell us what OS you are using either, which makes me think it may be a Microsoft product!! I'll presume that, and ask, did you go to the optimize for reliability/performance dialog in Device Manager and choose reliability?

[Wildhunt]

Well, the case was given to me by a friend who had never used it so I cannot verify its quality. Is there a common problem with cheap models? Didn't thnik there would be enough componants to screw up.

As for the other parts, I am using Win XP and I have gone through all the reliability/performance steps and have followed a few other steps given by some online guides. At this point I am assuming it is the case if you reckon they can be dodgy. Guess nothing is free

[Dias de verano]

A problem with cheap enclosures can be the quality control at the manufacturing stage. You have a USB-to-IDE or SATA adapter board in there. It could be the USB port or controller on the computer I suppose. Maybe you could test the enclosure on another computer? With a different cable perhaps?

[patio]

Also what USB ports are you hooking this up to front or rear ? ?
Front ports on many machines are notoriously under-powered.
How many other USB devices are hooked up at the time ? ?
This can affect it as well.

[Dias de verano]

Good point, Patio. I was presuming that this is an enclosure with its own power supply, but maybe it is not.

[patio]

Thanx...that's what i was suspecting.

[Wildhunt]

The enclosure has its own power supply and I changed the USB cord as well as I suspected it have been the culprit but to no avail.

I am currently using the USB slot on the top of my machine which I imagine would count as a front slot. I only have 1 other USB device connected to my machine which is my wireless mouse.

[patio]

Power down and connect the drive to a rear slot...
Power up wait 3 minutes then right clik My Computer...
Select Manage then Disk Management...
Find the external and right clik it and select Properties...
Report back with how it's listed...

[Wildhunt]

You will have to bare with me, I am work at the moment, I will try it when I get home. Thankyou for you patience and info so far. Great site.

[patio]

You're Welcome and Welcome to CH...
We'll be here...

[Wildhunt]

Ok, home now.

What am I looking for?

Type: LocalDisk
File System: NTFS

The Allow Indexing function is selected.

[patio]

For now run Disk Cleanup on it and then select Tools and run the error checking feature...