What is causing the errors when copying large files on my USB drives?

Question

I have two different USB external hard drives made by two different manufacturers. I regularly move them back and forth between my Toshiba laptop running XP and my Dell desktop running Vista.

The drives work perfectly when connected to my laptop. But when connected to my desktop, I often get random errors when copying large files.

The errors aren't noticable when the copy happens. You never know there's a problem untill later when the file is opened and a few bytes are corrupted.

The errors happen only when "writing" to the drives, not when "reading" from them. And they happen only when the drives are connected to the desktop, not the laptop.

I tried putting ferrite beads on the ends of the cables, but that didn't help. I've tried searching for updated drivers, but Vista tells me I already have the most recent drivers. I switched to Teracopy, but that only tells me when the errors happen, it doesn't prevent them from happening in the first place.

I don't know if the problem is with Dell, or with Vista. Why would the drives work fine with one computer and not with the other?

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Since You're having the problem with only Vista, I'd suggest checking all the USB power settings for Vista after doing an update, including to SP1 if You haven't already.



It sounds like the ports may be either losing power, getting the power cut off by Vista's settings, or by a motherboard problem from Dell which is entirely possible given their extensive troubles with power supply ssues in their laprtop lines, which may also show up in their desktops anytime soon.



The other suggestion I'd make would be to install (from Microsoft for free download) Virtual PC 2007, which will create a file to use as a virtual hard drive that can be formatted as a new partition, then have a completely new OS installation run as a program from Your Vista desktop.



It's like having a dual-boot system wthout having to totally wipe Your hard dive and start fresh, although it takes a little getting used to the settings at first. I picked it up in less than a day for a Win ME installation (that it doesn't support technically anyway).



Once You've created a virtual system (it creates and sends hardware settings ID strings to simulate an older system with mid-level hardware for audio and video too), You can install XP into the VPC and see if it has the same problems with the hard drives - which will tell You if it's a Vista or Dell problem.



After that, I'd probably check whether the drives are formatted in FAT32 or NTFS, since I've also heard (but haven't verified) that Vista has troubles with some FAT formatted drives.





Good Luck!.

Answer 2

Many times for vista when it is done copying your file you should give it a few more seconds because it might be still copying something even though it says it is done. Also try this. Create a folder in your USB drive and copy it in that folder, sometimes that happens with me and i have to create a folder for it and paste it in there instead. Hope it works!

Answer 3

Try to copy from DOS it may work.

Answer 4

disk is probably damaged with all the moving about.

especialy so if it is the old ATA type.









☺

Answer 5

it could be compatability issues

Answer 6

enough memory?

plugged in?