A write error occurs when data can no longer be written to a disk or storage device. This non-terminating error halts the current operation and is typically directed to the error stream, which is displayed alongside the output.
Understanding Write Error
A write error happens when a computer's memory or hard disk drive cannot store new information. This is often caused by malfunctioning memory cells or damaged sectors on the storage device's surface, rendering certain areas unusable.
Characteristics and Features
Write errors have several key characteristics:
- They write to the error stream
- The error stream is sent to the host program by default
- They don't stop command processing
To declare a terminating error, use the Throw keyword instead.
Write Error Reports
Common GNU Compiler Collection write error reports include:
- EINTR (4): System call interruption
- EIO (5): Low-level hardware read/write errors
- EBADF (9): Invalid descriptor or read-only file
- EACCES (13): Unauthorized user
- EFAULT (14): Invalid function address
- EINVAL (22): Invalid function argument
- EFBIG (27): File larger than allowed
- ENOSPC (28): Insufficient storage space
- EPIPE (32): Broken pipeline or closed file at pipeline end
Write Error Command Examples
Write error commands can be used for various non-terminating error messages:
- Simple messages
- Messages with additional information
- Errors during loops
- Errors with specific cmdlets (e.g., Get-ChildItem)
- Category-specific errors
- Errors using exception objects
Note that write error doesn't change the $? automatic variable, so it won't indicate a terminating error condition.
Categories
Write errors can be categorized into various types, including:
- NotSpecified
- OpenError
- InvalidArgument
- DeviceError
- InvalidOperation
- NotImplemented
- ObjectNotFound
- OperationTimeout
- ResourceUnavailable
- AuthenticationError
- ProtocolError
Causes of Write Error
Write errors typically occur when a write operation fails on a storage medium. Common causes include:
- Dirty or full disks
- Corrupted or scratched disk surfaces
- Bad or failing media
- Bad sectors on the disk
- Write-protected disks
- Antivirus interference
- Corrupted file installations
- Lost or timed-out connections
- Insufficient permissions
How to Fix a Steam Disk Write Error
Several methods can resolve Steam disk write errors:
- Update drivers using third-party software
- Delete 0 KB and corrupted files
- Verify file integrity through Steam
- Run Steam's flushconfig command
- Set proper folder security permissions
- Remove disk write protection
- Temporarily disable antivirus and firewall
Write Error vs Throw
Key differences between Write Error and Throw:
- Write Error produces non-terminating errors, while Throw produces terminating errors
- Write Error with a return statement stops the current function; Throw stops everything
- Write Error is for writing to the error stream; Throw is for serious error conditions
- Return statements are useful with Write Error but not with Throw
Does Write Error Stop Execution?
Write errors can stop execution when -ErrorAction Stop is set on a cmdlet or advanced function. This converts write error statements into terminating errors, either stopping execution or allowing it to be handled by a catch block.
Conclusion
While write errors can be frustrating, they're not insurmountable. By understanding their causes and applying the appropriate fixes, you can quickly get your system back on track and resume normal operations.