Fixing the Qttask.exe No Disk Error…
Every now and then when I am sitting at my Windows XP system, an annoying error message just pops up out of nowhere. The title bar is a seemingly random four-digit hexadecimal value followed by “qttask.exe - No Disk”. The text of the message says “There is no disk in the drive. Please insert a disk into drive XX:.” At the bottom is the typical Cancel, Try Again, and Continue buttons.
The most annoying thing is that none of the button choices do anything to actual remove the error. The error message cycles back and forth showing an error message first for drive XX:, then for drive YY:, back and forth, over and over, at least 16 times.
Yes, that’s right — 16 times!!
That’s when I decided to do something about it.
But before I destroyed it, I had to find out more about it.
The qttask.exe program is a simple program that lets Apple’s QuickTime software (often bundled with iTunes) show up in the Windows taskbar. To me, the taskbar only needs to store the system’s volume control and be a place where I get a visual indication when I get mail. To hëll with everything else!
You’ll find solutions all over the ‘net that tell you (1) which registry entry to edit to stop qttask; (2) what option in the Control Panel to set; (3) to deselect the checkbox within the QuickTime software that says to display the control in the toolbar; (4) to remove and reinstall. None of that advice really matters or works. You think simply deselecting the checkbox will actually stop it from running in stealth mode?! Ha! Sooner or later, just like that bad apple MSN Messenger (that uses Microsoft’s own questionable sticky tactics), qttask will also eventually pop back.
The solution: Use the Task Manager to end the qttask process. Rename the qttask.exe file in your QuickTime directory to something else; you can even delete it as it is not used to play or view any QuickTime-associated data. Reboot. Simple!
You’re fix worked for me too, and I’m so greatful. Just got an e-mail from my daughter: “The error I get when I open AIM is AIM.EXE-No Disk There is no disk in the drive. Please inert a disk into drive\Device\Harddisk1\DR34 then I hit cancel and it says the same but DR36, then DR37. ” I’m going to have her try your fix - Have you heard of this one also? Sounds like the same thing.
Have renamed qttask.exe, deleted it and still get the no disk error message. takes forever to get rid of it. sometimes quicktime pops up but can’t run it as an hourglass keeps turning over it. So can’t clear its memory. Help! Pete
I had a windows system file that was also named qttask. just do a search of qttask and you should find it.
Hi. This annoys me too. Good to find another approach to disabling “quiet” programs. Hey RDL. In an earlier comment you said, “My instruction to “simply rename the qttask.exe file in your QuickTime directory to something else” stands as not everyone installs QuickTime into their Program Files directory. I sure don’t. But I’m glad the solution worked for you! Cheers! - RDL You said “I sure don’t” I was wondering where, if not in program files, you do install quicktime, and what is the benefit of not installing it in program files? Thanks. hammer.
here’s Apple’s solution: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93687&sessionID=anonymous|486180&kbhost=kbase.info.apple.com%3a80%2f
Use this sequence. Quicktime, File, Open recent, Clear menu. Then Click Start, Run, type: MSCONFIG In the window Choose: Task Schedular and uncheck, click apply. Then choose: Startup and uncheck ‘qttask’ click apply. This will resolve the problem.
amendment to my previous solution: Use this sequence. Quicktime, File, Open recent, Clear menu. Then Click Start, Run, type: MSCONFIG In the window Choose: Services, Task Schedular and uncheck, click apply. Then choose: Startup and uncheck ‘qttask’ click apply. This will resolve the problem.
RE: Quicktime 6.xx No-disk error with WinXP sp1 Fix Open quicktime: ‘keep clicking cancel in that error window until it closes’ Use this sequence: File, Open recent, Clear menu. Then Click Start, Run, type: MSCONFIG In the window Choose: Services, Task Schedular and uncheck, click apply. In the same window choose: Startup and uncheck ‘qttask’ click apply. Restart computer. This will resolve the problem. Unfortunately task schedular will not be available automatically for other tasks, you will have to do this manually. The error window will return as soon as you view .mov files on other drives if you don’t use this sequence. NB: Do not change qttask.exe file names as others have suggested. I paid for quicktime pro. I’m sure Apple can add a fix for this problem soon and give me a discount on a new 17 inch powerbook. Neil
That OPEN RECENT >CLEAR MENU fixed my quicktime re-occuring Insert Disk message. Thanks to the RDL!
I really appreciated the comments about QuickTime Alternative and RealAlternative that let you see those formats in Windows Media Player. However… I have a problem with WMP that keeps me wedded to those other players. At some point during the movie, the WMP screen goes black, though I can still hear the sound. If I replay the clip, it goes black at the same place. I’ve googled myself silly and haven’t been able to find a reference to this problem. Has anyone heard of this? Is there a solution??