If you keep your saved documents on a removable disk, the disk may get full at some point, especially if you keep music or photos or other documents on the same device. When you try to save your work, you'll get an error message telling you that there is not enough room. If you just switch to a new device, one of two things will happen. One is good; one is disastrous!

Solutions to a Full Disk

Solution 1: (when you are prepared!)

• Close the error message. (Important!)
• Leave the first removable disk in place. Connect a different removable disk that has enough free space into a second port or drive. [Do you have two USB ports open and two USB drives that can be plugged in at the same time???]
• Save the file to the new device.

Solution 2: (when it works!)

• Close the error message. (Important!)
• Remove  the removable disk and replace it with one that has enough free space.
• Save the file to the new device.

        What happens next? Two possibilities:

  1. Good: The file saves happily to the new removable disk. Congratulations! Your system and software are current.
     
  2. Bad (possibly disastrous!):  An error message appears OR a blue error screen with white text appears. This is sometimes called the Blue Screen of Death since it means a serious problem. You will have to use the Awkward Solution instead next time. Part of the data about the document was still on the first removable disk that is no longer available to the computer. Switching disks caused a major system error and may lock up the computer completely. Choose to Close the message, and hope. 

Awkward Solution:  

• Close the error message. (Important!)
• Save the file to the hard disk somewhere. (Remember where!) 
• Replace the removable disk with a fresh one that has enough free space.
• Move the saved file to the removable disk.

Know your system. Test it!

Your computer may lock up during the test below. You may have to reboot if it does. Better that this happen during a test instead of when you have an important document that you cannot save!

1. Close all open programs on your computer.
2. Open a file from a removable disk. The disk does not have to be full.
3. Replace the removable disk with a new one with plenty of free space on it.
4. Use Save As to try to save your file to the new disk.
5. If you get the Blue Screen message, follow the directions to Close. Reboot if the computer locks up. Remember in the future to save to the hard disk if your removable runs out of room. Never, never switch removable devices while a file is open on this computer.