Win 98se error on bootup

[wwwdot]

I am getting the following error on a random basis but it is increasing. After shutting down Win98 (both start=> restart, start=> shut down) and then coming back in, I get a windows error:
Volume that was removed had open files on it. Next time please check first to see if the volume can be removed.

select enter

second windows error:

File system mounted on the volume had data that needed to be flushed. Some data on the volume was lost. Next time please check first to see if the volume can be removed.

select enter

fatal exception error 0E has occured @ 0167:BFF9DFFF
(error always at same address)

Based on the wording, I assume this has to do with some buffer not being flushed to the hard drive. The only thing I found in the Microsoft knowledge base concerns fast shutdown in win 98. I verified that fast shutdown was indeed disabled. Last night I disabled the write-behind caching. The computer on bootup will now restart itself and on the second boot stay up. This makes for a long boot as scandisk kicks in. Any thoughts, insights or additional resources to check would be appreciative. Thanks.

The specifics on the hardware:
Asus A7V mobo
AMD 900 mhz
30 gig Maxtor HD(I don't remember buffer size)
128 meg Crucial ram
win 98 2nd ed
up to date on antivirus files

[BigBlue66]

Hey WWWDot,

I think maybe there is a fix for you at Microsoft's Windows Update site. I don't remember the name of the fix specifically, but it references shutdown problems with big harddrives and fast processors, which is what you have. It's a small file, maybe takes a minute or two to download. I am almost positive that it will cure your problem.

Sorry, don't have time to find the URL but just go to Microsoft's home page, click on Windows Update, then Product Update and look for it under, I think, Recommended updates. It should say something about large IDE drives or something like that.

Let us know how you're doing.

Good Luck.

Big Blue 66

[BigBlue66]

Here tis:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Click on Product Updates. You will then be asked to download and run some sort of interactive software, if you haven't been there before. Look for the large IDE patch.

BB66

[wwwdot]

Thanks for the info. The computer with the internet connection is a win95. When I accessed the MS site it read my computer and naturally gave me the win95 update info. As yet I am unsucesssful in finding the update by searching in the knowledge base. If all else fails, I will get the other computer out install the modem and software and download it. Once again thanks for taking the time to help with the problem

[BigBlue66]

Hey W,

Did a little further checking. Hit the URL below and it will take you directly to the WIN98 file. You will first land on the information page, click your way to the next page, which is the license agreement, accept and then download. No doubt it will install itself and then you're home free.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/contents/WURecommended/S_WUFeatured/bigide/default.asp

Cheers,

BB66

[BigBlue66]

Whoops, once again I get ahead of myself. If the only way you can access the net is with your WIN95 machine, then of course you will have to download that file to a floppy and then install to your WIN98 machine. That is assuming that the file will fit on a floppy. I don't remember the size, but if the file will download in a matter of minutes, then it can't be too big. Hopefully this route will work for you.

Let me know what happens.

Cheers,

BB66

[wwwdot]

Thanks for the info. You have gone above and beyond the call. All I can offer you is a virtual beverage of you choice. Cheers!

I'm wondering if you had any specific experience with this problem that is not addressed in the article, for the following reasons. The article describes the problem as relating to scandisk, applies to phoenix bios and HD larger than 32 mb. My computers have the Award bios and are 30 gb and have win98 se which seems to already have the patch in it.

[BigBlue66]

Nope, no specific experience with the problem. When reading your post, I happened to remember that MS had a patch like the one I pointed you to.

I seem to remember though, that the patch was specifically designed for the problem of shutting down large cache harddrives with fast processors. Seems that the processor would get ahead of the drive cache and then problems, I think, such as yours would surface.

Have you installed the patch, and if so, has it helped?

BB66

P.S. WAIT!. Damn it all, I just checked the link I gave you and come to find out, it's not the one that I had intended to give you. Although it is indeed a large IDE problem that it's dealing with, it's not the patch you need. Sorry about that. Hang tight, whilst I go get it for you.

[BigBlue66]

I'm baaack!

Here it is finally. It's a 224K file. The patch is named Windows IDE Hard Drive Cache Package. Funny thing is they are talking like it only affects ME, but I say go ahead and install, because it sure sounds like you are having much the same problem. Sorry for the delay.
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/R593/V31site/x86/W98/en/ie5/catalog.htm

Try that and let me know.

Big Blue 66

[wwwdot]

From the discription you gave me it sounds like the exact problem and fix. But man oh man I hate to ask for any more from you. The link you gave me directs me to the update page and correctly reads my puter as a 95 version. I searched the knowledge base every way I could think of using the title and clues - no luck. Would you be so kind as to give me the article id number. I'm assuming that such a specific piece of information, I will be able to get to it. I guess that the only good thing about this request is that by now your puter can probably get there on it's on. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

As an aside I find the MS update process quite convient for the general public for updating all the patches. But consider a simpe scenario - someone having just purchased a ME puter and their only other puter is a 98 - bottom line result is can't update/find needed info. Enough of the rant - sorry. Once again thanks for the help.

[BigBlue66]

Hey W,

I hear ya about the convenience/inconvenience of the update site. It's like cars, they're nice when they work.

Just wanted to alert you to the fact that I haven't given up yet! However, I am at work right now, on a WIN NT 4.0 system, so alas, I can't get to the file from here either. I tried searching the download center for the file, but can't seem to find it.

I will try as soon as I get home tonight. I have class tonight, so it's gonna be late before I get to it. I don't recall an article ID number for the file.

If all else fails, I will try to download to a floppy and mail it to you. I will let you know tonight what the possible solutions are.

I think we're both right though, in thinking that this patch will fix you up. Let's not give up just yet!

Cheers,

BB66

[BigBlue66]

Hey W,

Been thinking about it. I know, I know, yes, I do have a headache!

Anyway, I am thinking that when I choose to download this file to my home 'puter, I may very well be the proud owner of the Windows IDE Hard Drive Cache Package. Ya know? It might just install it to my computer without any say from me in the matter. We will just have to wait and see.

If I can't download to a floppy or as a file that I can email to you as an attachment, then W, you will have to just bite the bullet and get your WIN98 machine online.

And you know what? There might just be a load of critical updates that you need anyway. If you decide to go ahead with getting the 98 machine online, just cruise right by the critical updates and download the patch first. That should fix you up. Then, go back for all the critical updates.

I will post later tonight to let you know what's what.

Cheers,

Big Blue 66

[BigBlue66]

Hey W,

Go to the MS Knowledge base and look for article no. Q273017.

It will instruct you on how to modify your registry to fix your problem!

You're on the road again, my friend!

Cheers,

Big Blue 66

[wwwdot]

Houston the Eagle has landed!!I got the registry hack. I am deeply greatful and appreciative of your tenacity.

[BigBlue66]

Alrighty then, W.

Let me know how it goes after implementing the registry modifications.

BB66