Write Data Error When You Try to Use a CD-ROM Re-Writable Drive

ID: Q190922

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

When you try to format a blank CD-ROM disk with a CD-ROM Re-Writable (CD-RW) drive, you may receive the following error message:

Error: Write Data

Illegal Start Block Address. (0x4000004b)
You will not be able to read or write to disk through drive letter access.


CAUSE

This issue can occur if Advanced Power Management (APM) is enabled on your computer.


RESOLUTION

To work around this issue, use the appropriate method:

Permanently Disable APM

If you do not want to use APM on your computer, you can permanently disable it. To do so, use the following steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Power Management.


  2. In the System Standy box, click Never, click Never in the Turn Off Monitor box, and then click Never in the Turn Off Hard Drive box.


  3. Click Apply, click OK, and then restart your computer.


Temporarily Disable APM

If you do not want to permanently disable APM on your computer, you can temporarily disable it, use your CD-RW drive, and then re-enable APM. To do so, use the following steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Power Management.


  2. In the System Standy box, click Never, click Never in the Turn Off Monitor box, and then click Never in the Turn Off Hard Drive box.


  3. Click Apply, click OK, and then restart your computer.


  4. Use your CD-RW drive, and then restart your computer.


  5. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Power Management.


  6. In the System Standy, Turn Off Monitor, and Turn Off Hard Drive boxes, click the appropriate time settings you want to use. For example, the default APM settings in Windows 98 are: 


    7. 
      System Standby        30 minutes
      Turn Off Monitor      15 minutes
      Turn Off Hard Drive   30 minutes
  7. Click Apply, click OK, and then restart your computer.


Additional query words: 98 


Keywords          : kberrmsg kbhw win98 winapm 
Version           : WINDOWS:
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: February 13, 1999