Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!uupsi!rodan.acs.syr.edu!wwtaroli
From: wwtaroli@rodan.acs.syr.edu (Bill Taroli)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Re: weird harddisk problem
Message-ID: <1990Oct4.064207.27851@rodan.acs.syr.edu>
Date: 4 Oct 90 06:42:16 GMT
References: <1488@ukpoit.co.uk>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Lines: 53

In article <1488@ukpoit.co.uk> paul@ukpoit.co.uk (Paul Wood) writes:
>        I could NOT duplicate the file using the "file" menu's "duplicate"
>        option (Finder 6.0b5, System (4.2a3)
>but:
>        I could execute the file (the file was ResEdit)
>        I could StuffIt (1.20) into an archive
>        I could read it with FEdit (1.0.7)
>
>The file-duplicate issued the message 'The file "ResEdit" couldn't be written
>and was skipped (disk error) <Cancel> <Continue>' and the system hangs (mouse
>frozen, keyboard inactive).

Well, these two statements seem consistent enough since executing, Stuffing,
and readying have absolutely nothing to do with writing (as the Finder error
suggests is the problem).

>I removed some unnecessary stuff from the harddisk and successfully made a
>backup, then I started investigating. I used Disk Express (1.06) to clean up &
>reorganise the disk, created more data on the disk and looked for files that
>could not be duplicated. This time the problem was a text file, but I could edit
>the file, StuffIt still worked, and I could still read it with FEdit. Mmmmmmmmm!

First, I would suggest you update your DiskExpress II (v 2.04 is available on
Sumex), although this probably doesn't have much bearing on the problem.

Second, it looks as though you're having more trouble reading and writing 
sectors (as you mention, there are certain blocks that exhibit more problems)
rather than just certain files.  Chances are that you should do a low-level
format and then check the drive for bad sectors.

>Erasing, reformatting and certifying the disk has made no difference. Disk
>Express can't find any fault. 

Well, DiskExpress isn't designed to diagnose HD problems. If you used the
"Erase Disk" option of the Finder and the problem didn't clear up, don't get
nervous. Try using a different utility such as SilverLining (or the HDSC Setup
on your system disks) or whatever else you use. If you do a low-level format and
then check for bad sectors, you're likely to find the problem, if it's actually
a physical fault in the drive.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

*******************************************************************************
* Bill Taroli (WWTAROLI@RODAN.acs.syr.edu)    | "You can and must understand  *
* Syracuse University, Syracuse NY            | computers NOW!" -- Ted Nelson *
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--
*******************************************************************************
* Bill Taroli (WWTAROLI@RODAN.acs.syr.edu)    | "You can and must understand  *
* Syracuse University, Syracuse NY            | computers NOW!" -- Ted Nelson *
*******************************************************************************